The CIC welcomes everyone in the UK who is interested in participating in steel pan music. Especially to benefit from participating in creative arts, culture and heritage, developing skills and making positive social connections. The CIC continued to engage young people via LBC Cultural Education Fund to reinvigorate local access to steel pan, as Camden has had no school steel pan provision for some time. The project was designed to bring a new generation of children to the heritage music, ‘planting the seeds’ of future community steel band musicians. Unfortunately, the planned venue suffered extensive flood damage and a new site was required. The CIC then faced the challenge of many amateur instrumental groups - securing a suitable community venue for regular music-making. The subsequent changes to location and session times during the project did impact attendance, however, families appreciated the project as shown in this comment, “Thank you for organising and hosting such a wonderful opportunity; an (immersive) experience for young people in Camden to learn and enjoy steel pans. I and the children really enjoyed the session. You were very welcoming and passionate about the joy steel pan playing brings. I saw my son so enthusiastic about music and (tutor) encouraged his excitement. Thank you also for allowing me to be a part of the band! Honestly I felt a togetherness between my children and I as we played the pans; it was magical and the children liked that I was part of something they were doing. I learned a lot in a short space and absolutely enjoyed it! To have an activity that we all can do; learning together and having fun is a gem and to have it provided in such a beautiful space and all for free is incredible! Looking forward to our next session!! Thanks for making my weekend special with the kids.” For local schools the CIC provided several demonstrations including leading a full steel band workshop at Camden’s music day in May 2024. Online promotion reaches a broad audience and to showcase acoustic steel pan, the CIC engaged a professional filmmaker to produce promotional videos and high quality sound recordings of pan ensembles. The free-to-view videos provide educators with a useful reference on the vast capacity of steel pan. And are resources which can be shared with commercial music venues who are unaware of pans range and the quality of performance possible, and so often reticent to book steel bands. The recordings ranged from a trio to ten-piece steel band, performing original music & arrangements. And pan ensembles with brass, bass guitar & drums, playing genres from jazz to afrobeats. The CIC objective is to positively impact the national provision and so responded to The Department for Education tender to supply instruments. A key aspect of the NPME to improve young peoples’ access to whole class instrumental ensemble tuition and a diverse repertoire. Following a competitive process, the CIC was approved to supply the new regional HLO (Hub Lead Organisations). HLO coordinate designated DfE funding aligned to local strategy. The CIC will assist HLO, music services and their partners providing instruments and raising awareness of pans’ pedagogy, syllabus and accredited grade exams for workforce CPD and students. This DfE MIET Framework opens a new route for steel pan in the UK Education system.

The CIC seeks feedback from pan musicians and tutors, participants, host venues, VCSE partners, funders, our public audiences and customers purchasing our products. We are delighted to have received positive feedback from all our stakeholders engaged in 2024. The CIC is implementing new CRM to manage data and support better reporting and correspondence with our stakeholders and future communication campaigns. As we promoted our LBC participation project, multiple local groups reached out requesting our music group perform at neighbourhood festivals & events, proving the public fondness for steel pan bands. The ongoing venue changes marred the project’s expected progression, As a gesture of good will the CIC funded a number of performances at local events. The UK has a growing need for ‘safe’ spaces suitable for music participation. Our challenging experience aligns with national charity Making Music campaign #MakeSpaceForMusic. The CIC continues to raise awareness of the dire situation as a key factor in the survival of steel pan communities in the UK. Especially as Gov.UK acknowledges the value of Music to the UK economy, society and in supporting public health and wellbeing.

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration