00:00TNT is closer than it has ever been to having the steel pan proclaimed the national instrument
00:05after the National Music Instrument Bill was unanimously passed in the lower house on July
00:113rd.
00:12President of Pantren Bego, Beverly Ramsey Moore, has been among those long advocating
00:17for it.
00:18Your initial thoughts?
00:19Wow, it was indeed a proud moment for me and my team and by extension the people of Trinidad
00:28and Tobago, sitting down there and witnessing the entire parliament supporting the National
00:37Musical Instrument Bill, I mean I am so proud as a Trinidadian and a Tobagonian to be a
00:45part of this historic moment.
00:47There are those who may ask, what difference does it make?
00:52Of course it is going to lift the profile of the National Musical Instrument and also
00:59the profile of every single steel pan in Trinidad and Tobago, steel band I should say.
01:05Pantren Bego is particularly grateful for the aspect of the bill that places the responsibility
01:10on its line minister to report to the parliament every two years to account for promoting and
01:16developing the steel pan locally, regionally and internationally.
01:21Ramsey Moore sees it as protection for that development regardless of a change in the
01:26hands of governmental power.
01:28As Ramsey Moore anticipates the same support in the senate that was given in the House
01:32of Representatives, she says the country can look forward to another big surprise before
01:37World Steel Pan Day which is celebrated on the 11th of August.
01:42We are going to be having a grand celebration again in Trinidad and Tobago on that day and
01:50trust me by the 8th of August another major announcement will be made about the steel
01:56pan here in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:58You want to give us some time to give a heads up?
02:00No, no, no, I can't give a heads up at this time based on where it is at this moment but
02:05I tell you another historical day is coming.
02:08According to Pantren Bego, there is need for a greater thrust at pushing steel pan in schools
02:14and in communities as well as a deeper focus on the potential socio-economic role the
02:20instrument can have especially in reducing crime and poverty.
02:25Ramsey Moore also admits that the organization has work to do with its members as it relates
02:30to the business of pan.
02:32And give me an insight into what you call the business of pan.
02:36Okay, so pan is all about entertainment, it's about music, it's about gigs.
02:43Even if you don't get a gig from the hotel or some business entity, you have your members,
02:52you have your players, you can get involved in the business, in the pan yard, so entertainment
02:58in your pan yard.
02:59Even if it's once a week, people come in, they pay for the entertainment.
03:03Insurance and retirement plans are also aspects where Ramsey Moore tells us more education
03:09and training are needed.
03:11Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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