Success Laventille Secondary School, formerly Success Laventille Composite School, presented its pan fund-raising concert in aid of the purchasing of instruments on August 21, at Queen's Hall, St Ann's.The school's steel orchestra, Success Stars Pan Sounds, has been in existence for the past 27 years during which time it has been successful at various competitions including the Junior Panorama competition and Schools' Music Festival.
Each item on the concert's programme was enthusiastically received by a most appreciative audience. In fact, patrons rose to their feet to give a standing ovation for the band's performance of Hallelujah Chorus, conducted by Marcus Ash, who is the UWI Percussion Ensemble captain and a member of the National Steel Symphony Orchestra.Toto's Africa, arranged by Mickiel Gabriel, accompanied by Prizgar Land Folk Performers, and the band's 2011 winning Panorama selection-De Fosto's The Raging Storm-received similar gestures.
The programme also featured guest artistes including UWI Percussion Ensemble, performing "Broom Hilder," a piece which underscored the fact that music can be expressed through various media, inclusive of percussion or instrument.Other guests included calypsonian Explainer, and soloists Brenton Joseph and Brenzil Brasnell. Member of Parliament for Laventille West Nileung Hypolite graced the stage as the show ended, dancing to the beat of the steelpan.
Success Facts
Success Laventille Secondary School is blessed with many talented and ambitious young people who possess drive and determination. The musical achievements and success of Success Stars Pan Sounds have impacted positively with regards to their academics, resulting in a positive spin-off effect in the overall school performance.This reigning under-21 Junior Panorama 2011 champion consists of current students, past students as well as others who wanted to support the group.In 2008, 17 years old at the time, Mickiel Gabriel, a past student and tutor, got together with his "good friend" Gerelle Forbes and agreed to work as a team for the continuation of achievement with regards to music in this school. Evidence has proved this to be an escalating success, where they are captains.Gabriel and Forbes have developed a great relationship with the children who think of both as responsible adults who are parent figures to them.
Forbes, the driller of the band, and Gabriel, the arranger, both devote their daily time and effort to these children, practising every evening in pursuit of perfection.Forbes said her pan students possess drive and determination for knowledge of music, where they are eager to learn experience and become excellent at it.Success Stars Pan Sounds won the San Fernando Festival in 2010-a feat which led to the orchestra successfully competing in the Under 21 Junior Panorama 2011. In 2008, the school's principal requested that Gabriel arrange and oversee the orchestra with the guidance of Kay Felix, the band's manager and longest serving staff member.Gabriel rebuilt the band from scratch in 2010. Present principal Hamida Baksh has been supportive and open to suggestions and avenues of which her school could be proud.