A portion of the grant allocation from the Caribbean Export Development Agency, (Caribbean Export) for the new Pan in Education initiative was allocated to overseas travel. In order to build awareness and create a sustainable universal market, our rollout strategy will sequentially target Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean, the Diaspora and the rest of the world.

St. Thomas was the first stop, primarily because I have worked with the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra since 1994. I recorded and produced a CD, A Taste of Carnival and designed/ commissioned their on-location HDCD® proprietary recording system. Another reason is my profound admiration for the discipline and level of commitment of both instructors and students to their highly successful music literacy programme.

On Tuesday July 13, I gave a pep talk to 60-odd Rising Stars players ranging in age from about five to sixteen, at their summer camp. We discussed entrepreneurship as it relates to the business of music. Every one understood clearly the concepts of innovation, creativity and critical thinking. I asked for a show of hands to indicate those who were interested in working for themselves after graduating from high school or university. Many showed both hands.

In the evening I made a formal presentation to the USVI Superior Court Administrator, Ms.Glendia Caines, chief instructor Mr.John Hodgeand a team of six other Rising Stars’ facilitators. Also present was Mr.Austin A. Venzen, Associate Professor of Music (Woodwinds), University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas campus.

The meeting, scheduled for one hour, began at 6 p.m. However we never vacated the premises until close to 9 p.m. Next morning I met with Ms.Georgia Francis, music educator from Charlotte Amalie High School, who was conducting a summer camp for 87 students. I requested collective support for Pan in Education in the form of an endorsement of the curriculum and accompanying National Occupational Standard entitled Music Producer.

In anticipation of positive outcomes, I envisage Pan in Education to be up and running in USVI from the start of their next academic year, October 2010.

Simeon L. Sandiford
Managing Director