Pan in the 21st Century
Mervyn Taitt of Fascinators Pan Symphony
Staff Article
Interview Recorded: April 22, 2006
For the preliminary round of the Pan in the 21st Century 2K6 Competition, bands were judged as in previous years, in their communities. We interviewed some of the key people within the bands about the competition, their history and other activities in the steelband arena. We spoke with Mr. Mervyn Taitt, Captain of Fascinators Pan Symphony.
TRINBAGOPAN: Mr. Taitt, what is the band's selection for this competition?
MERVYN: This year our selection will be "Saving All My Love For You" by Whitney Houston.
TRINBAGOPAN: How long has this band been in existence?
MERVYN: Fascinators has been in existence over thirty years now. It started off as one band, Orange Grove Pan Symphony. Later on it split to form Fascinators. The two bands came together in the 90's and that's how we have Fascinators Pan Symphony now.
TRINBAGOPAN: Are you all experiencing any problems in terms of getting new members to join the band?
MERVYN: We are trying to rekindle something that was once there. The avenue is with the youths. As you can see, the band is very youthful. It takes time to nurture and groom the players because the youths of today are not the youths of yesterday. The methods you would employ today are not the same as yesterday. In terms of teaching and encouraging them, you have to develop new ways of motivation like pan schools and workshops. Through our affiliations with schools, we managed to get some of the youths involved.
TRINBAGOPAN: Did you all encounter any problems with the band being in such a residential area?
MERVYN: The band was the first thing on this block.
TRINBAGOPAN: Do you have any final words?
MERVYN: I would like to thank your organization for selecting us to do this interview.
TRINBAGOPAN: Thank you.
Fascinators Pan Symphony in Pictures
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