By Lincoln DePradine
A Toronto steelpan program, which has been in existence for 20 years, has been described as a “musical haven for a lot of seniors”. However, the primarily seniors’ membership of Gemini Pan Groove was an unintended prevalence on the band’s institution in 2004.
“It was purported to be a program for teenagers, however the individuals who got here have been older folks. So, we ended up with a seniors’ program, moderately than a junior program,’’ founding-member Elton Jones instructed The Caribbean Digicam on Saturday.
Jones, a Trinidad-born educator, has carried out a number of roles with Gemini Pan Groove, together with participant, musical director and coordinator.
The band’s twentieth anniversary was commemorated with a celebratory fundraising dinner and live performance final Saturday on the Scarborough headquarters of Tropicana Neighborhood Companies.
The metal orchestra rehearses at St Paul’s L’Amoreaux Anglican Church in Scarborough, the place it’s been primarily based for 14 of its 20 years.
Jones’s affiliation with steelband started in 1973 with Afropan and because the band’s supervisor.
As knowledgeable educator in North York, he was a steering counsellor and in addition taught pan-playing to college students for 29 years.
Gemini Pan Groove’s members embrace gamers who’re of their 60s, 70s and 80s, with “only one or two youthful folks”, Jones stated.
The band fundraises to assist finance its actions which have included performances earlier than audiences at numerous Toronto venues, and excursions to such locations as Montreal, Pittsburgh, Chicago and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
“We began off as nothing,” stated Jones. “We didn’t also have a title in 2004. Then, we grew to become Gems and Pals and that moved to Gemini, merging the ‘Gems’ and the ‘Pals’, which was a extra inclusive title.”
Saturday’s commemorative occasion included dwell performances from Gemini Pan Groove and in addition a number of renditions from a Jazz ensemble.
Jones used the event to thank supporters of Gemini Pan Groove, together with longtime pan tuner Earle Wong and Canon Dr Dean Mercer of St Paul’s L’Amoreaux Anglican Church.
“I do know all of you assist Gemini, however there isn’t a one like Father Dean,” Jones stated. “With out Father Dean, we gained’t be right here. We’ve got been blessed by discovering a house at St Paul’s L’Amoreaux and being welcomed by Father Dean.”
The Anglican clergyman, in response, congratulated Gemini Pan Groove and thanked the performers for “20 years of wonderful music” rendered at St Paul’s L’Amoreaux and throughout Toronto, and in all different cities they’ve visited.
“It has been an ideal honour for St Paul’s to have welcomed Gemini to the Parish. All the enjoyment and pleasure and delightful music they’ve introduced is humbling for me and humbling for us,” Reverend Mercer stated.
The band now could be getting ready for a “Christmas & Steelpans” live performance scheduled for Saturday, December 14, at St Paul’s L’Amoreaux, 3333 Finch Avenue East.
The ticketed occasion is free for kids below the age of 12. Additional data is out there by calling 416-499-1545.
