Female members of New York Steel Bands
were invited to attend a photo shoot in Soho on January 19, 2003, with the
objective of featuring New York's "women of steel" in leading magazines.
Important times in the calendar year - Black History Month and Women's Month,
February and March respectively, are in the spotlight. Steelband was
once male-dominated, and this photo shoot provided a great opportunity for
these women of steel to express their opinions on the importance of
their roles in the steelband.
WHAT THE PAN WOMEN SAY: SESAME FLYERS
By SABRINA HUNTER -
Basement Press
SESAME FLYERS steel orchestra
I spoke to three
girls Kristi, Dulce and Malaika. The band formed
around ten years ago but the organization has been around for
approximately twenty years. Kristi very kindly handed me over
the following information about herself and the band:
“When I was five I was very proud of myself because I taught myself to
play “Down the Way” from the Little Mermaid sound track. When
someone figures out how to play something on the Pan it’s called
arranging. I was reintroduced to Pan in January 2002.
The Orchestra consists of ten players and we are in the process of
recruiting more players. During the summer the orchestra has thirty to
forty musicians. There are fewer musicians during the winter because
playing is a difficult commitment, which consists of up to eight hours of
rehearsal on the weekends and numerous engagements. The best way to
play is from the heart.”
How long have you been
playing for the band?
Kristi:
One year
Dulce:
Three years
Malaika:
Four years
What pans do you play?
Kristi: Tenor
Dulce: Double
second, and I’m also a Captain
Malaika: Tenor
Who inspired you to play?
Kristi: I was bought a miniature Tenor Pan as a souvenir when I was
little. In January 2002 I went to a concert and watched a band play and
got inspired.
Dulce: A band forced her to join (laughs)
Malaika: Friends encouraged me.
What is great about your band?
Kristi: We have mothers and fathers who support the band. In the band we
are taught musical theory.
What is the balance of age and gender in the band?
Malaika: More boys
than girls.
Dulce: More girls
than boys during the summer.
Where do you perform?
Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at Prospect High School 2002,
weddings, City Hall, District 37, Carib Life’s Mothers Day Ceremony.
What music do you play?
All: A range of music.
Are their any issues or experiences you would like to share?
All: We get good feedback
How does it feel to be here at the photo shoot?
Dulce: We feel overdressed though (giggle)
Malaika: Great
