Pandemix performs in Toronto

(CNS): UCCI Cayman National Steel Band Pandemix recently performed in Caribana 2009, the largest Caribbean festival in North America, held in Toronto, Canada, performing alongside Toronto’s leading steel orchestra Afropan both in the Pan Alive 2009 steel band competition and in the Caribana Parade. A release from the local college said the trip broadened the band’s horizons and that performing with Afropan, which has won awards for the best playing steel band at the Caribana Parade26 times out of the 35 years of competition, was “an honour”. The Pan Alive 2009 competition featured 13 bands from Canada.

Afropan, with over 60 members, placed third and the experience of competing at such a high level was an invaluable experience for members of Pandemix. The release said, “Representing the Cayman Islands as artistic ambassadors they made the most of this wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange and are looking forward to welcoming members of Afropan to Cayman in the near future.”

Jannelle Mungalsingh, Treasurer for Pandemix and coordinator of the Pandemix page on Facebook, invited people who wanted to join the band to attend their practice.

Earl La Pierre, the Afropan Steel Orchestra Arranger and Music Director, congratulated Pandemix on their ability to rise to the challenge and learn the competition song ‘Magic Drum’ within a week. Glen Inanga, Music Programme coordinator at UCCI, was thrilled with the success of the trip and thanked all those who supported Pandemix since its inception in September 2008, in particular, Cayman National Corporation, the band’s principal sponsor.

For more information about the UCCI steelpan programme or other course offerings in the music programme at UCCI, please contact Mr Glen Inanga on ginanga@ucci.edu.ky or phone 526 5059.