 |
| |
The British
Association of Steelbands; its Diverse Activities and Pivotal Role
in Securing the Long Term Future of the Steelband in the UK
Robbie Joseph
Editor, Pan Podium and Member of BAS
The British Association of
Steelbands (BAS) was established in December 1995 to represent
British steelbands and to further the musical, artistic, educational
and social aspects of this art. The organisation is funded by
the Arts Council England and host an
annual programme of events that helps
to showcase the instrument and its musicians. This includes Pan Explosion (a
competition to encourage the youth in composing, arranging and
playing steelpan music), Pan in the Parks, Trafalgar Square Pan
Jamboree, Pan in the V&A Museum, National Panorama competition, Pan
on the Road for Notting Hill Carnival and their end of year Steelpan
Awards Dinner. Pan Podium, the official magazine of the British
Association of Steelbands and its website is another positive
venture that was launched in 1999 to highlight the
arduous work performed by steelbands, pan musicians enabling
the Association to promote its work to the wider public.
The organization:- is run by an elected
Management Committee.
- Membership is open to all steel bands in
Britain, to individual members and other interested parties
- assists with the provision of training in arranging,
playing/performing, management, administration, marketing, publicity
and fund-raising
- provides information on all aspects of steel bands and steel pans
- promotes the history, culture and music of this art
- organises concerts, festivals, productions, shows, etc.
- acts as a booking agency
The BAS executive has recently introduced the BAS Future Development
Forum to enable the young people in pan to gain the knowledge and
expertise in running the association in future years by allowing
them to organise events, develop budgetary management and managerial
skills with the assistance of the senior executive committee. BAS’s
vision of setting up regional committees in different parts of the
UK will enable the association to be better organised in addressing
national and local issues and ensure that everyone has an active
voice. BAS continues to work with its partner organisations and all
interested parties to promote the steel pan art form thus ensuring
that this wonderful 20th century acoustic instrument is attributed
the respect it deserves and attains its rightful podium.
|
|
|
|
Programme