Pan in Unity
by Tracy Thornton, Yuko Asada, and Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin

Content

"Pan in Unity" is a virtual performance featuring 691 musicians from 23 different countries around the world.

Context

"Pan in Unity" was initiated by Tracy Thornton, Yuko Asada, and Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin. This project follows a series of other virtual performances including the Virtual Steelband I, Virtual Steelband II, and Pan Rocks. The music features three pieces: "Imagine," "One Love," and "Now is the Time." The music was arranged by Dr. Len "Boogsie" Sharpe and was disseminated among pannists around the world. "Pan in Unity" premiered on November 25, 2020. The International Steelband Foundation and Pan Trinbago also supported "Pan in Unity".

Process

Pan in Unity was created to allow pannists an opportunity to perform together virtually while spreading a message of love and unity during a pandemic. When the committee of three (Tracy Thornton, Yuko Asada, and Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin) was initiated, the pieces for the medley were solidified and the mission statement was created. The pieces featured were of special significance due to the messages they conveyed and the popularity they already achieved. The mission statement then read: "To Inspire each person in every part of the world to come together and unite under ONE LOVE because NOW IS THE TIME to IMAGINE what this beautiful world was always meant to be…EVERYONE living in PEACE and HARMONY."

Dr. Len Boogsie Sharpe was asked to do the arrangement. After completing the arrangement with the assistance of Phase II Pan Groove, the music was then recorded by Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin and Kygel Benjamin, and was transcribed by Yuko Asada. Social media pages were created and music was disseminated. "Pan in Unity" received video recordings of 691 musicians from 23 countries including Trinidad & Tobago, United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Finland, Argentina, United Emirates, United Kingdom, Honduras, Bahrain, Barbados, Belize, Costa Rica,  Antigua & Barbuda, Guyana, Indonesia, Jamaica, Panama, South Africa, Dominica.

The performance features steelpanist/arranger Andre White and drummer Daron Roberts. The project was mixed by Tracy Thornton at Steel Pandemic Studios and Grammy Award Winning mastering engineer Dave Collins took care of the mastering duties. The video editing and producing duties were done by Matthew Moore and the One Love vocal section by Tyler Swick.

Pan in Unity is the largest known virtual steelband performance in the history of steelpan featuring 691 musicians from 23 different countries. Through Pan in Unity, we are able to get a better understanding of where the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago resides around the world.

Response

Mahjoob, Ashkaan. 2020. "Pan in Unity’s Virtual Project Connects Global Steelpan Community." Pan Magazine. August 20. https://pan-mag.com/pan-in-unitys-virtual-project-connects-global-steelpan-community/

Inside Out Steelband. 2020. "Pan in Unity." December 3. https://insideoutsteelband.org/pan-in-unity/