It is with great sadness that I read your article in the Compass about the fact that Camana Bay has decided not to continue the Pan on the Paseo series on Wednesday evenings. I remember when they first approached me about introducing this series to Camana Bay and I referred them to Earl La Pierre who is the authority when it comes Steel Pan music. This turned out to be a very successful venture that the local community, students and tourists looked forward to each week.
Given the wave of interest in steel pan music in recent years here in the Cayman Islands, it is important for the students to have opportunities to hear live professional steel pan performances and Pan on the Paseo, featuring the La Pierre family, did precisely that. I know as a young student in London several years ago when I was training to become a concert pianist how invaluable it was for me to go to concerts given by the great pianists – it was a critical part of my musical and artistic development.
It was always awe inspiring to hear performances by the La Pierre Family at the Pan on the Paseo series and I hope that Camana Bay will find a way of incorporating performances by them in their efforts to revamp the series going forward.
Glen Inanga
I understand from an article in the Caymanian Compass that the Wednesday evening Steel Pan performances in Camana Bay are being phased out by the Camana Bay management. I just wanted to let you know how surprised and disappointed I am to hear that this has been the management’s position. Camana Bay is a great venue for the pans as the sound carries so well out in the open air. The Pan adds an element of Caribbean sophistication, which is absolutely in keeping with the ambiance of Camana Bay.
There are far too few opportunities for our young people to listen to quality live music. Our Grace Christian Academy Pan players need to listen to Pan being played well in order to strive for excellence themselves.
My family often walks in Camana Bay and I have seen many of our students, their friends and families doing likewise. We are very much indebted to the Dart family for giving Cayman and its residents such a resource and allowing us the opportunity to see, listen and experience both local and international performances live in such a beautiful setting.
I do hope that the management of Camana Bay will have a change of heart about the Pan performances; in the meantime, Earl let me say how much so many of our young performers are indebted to you. You have been and continue to be an inspiration for all of our young musicians – on their behalf I thank you and wish you every continuing success
Fran McConvey, Music
Grace Christian Academy
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We have not visited the cayman island in a few years but the last time we were there after our flight and while walking to the air termial there was a group of men playing pan music or as we in the states call it steel drums. That sound made us feel happy and glad to be on Grand cayman. Keep your pan music going loud and clear NEVER stop. The digiacomos