TTCSE Christmas Event

It was two-fold celebration when the Trinidad & Tobago Chinese Steel Ensemble hosted its Christmas and Appreciation get together at its band house, 34 McDonald Street, Woodbrook, last Thursday evening.

The steelpan ensemble celebrating its tenth anniversary has created a name for itself performing at many cultural events over the years both locally and internationally. These include the Annual Dragon Boat Festival, the Inauguration Ceremony of President Anthony Carmona, Pan on D’Avenue. WeBeat St. James Live, and the “Meet in Beijing Arts Festival”, China, Dublin, Limerick, Ireland, and state functions at President’s House and the Diplomatic Centre.

Under the baton of its resident pan virtuoso, Douglas “Dougie” Redon, the TTCSE has a repertoire of over fifty (50 ) pieces comprising Chinese folk songs fused with the rhythms of the Caribbean and South America,  soca, classical, pop pieces as well as its mandate to maintain at least fifty (50) percent of its repertoire of songs of Chinese origin.

At Thursday’s function, guests including The Ambassador’s wife, Mrs. Kang Xiaolei and representatives of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China, members of the business community, band members and awardees, were treated to live entertainment and a traditional Christmas menu.

President, Ken Chang On, thanked its faithful benefactors who have helped the steel orchestra since its formation a little over a decade ago.

Special tribute was paid to Susie Young, dedicated band captain, Carol Mayers and Lori Lee Lum, who have been with the band since its inception. 

Other honorees were the Chinese Bicentennial Limited, the Chinese Arts Group in memory of their founder Susie Ho with a generous donation for the band to purchase its own transport, Casfab Limited, Kerwyn Garcia, Neal & Massy Foundation and Diana Cohen-Chan of Kapok Hotel.

Also receiving kudos were Peter & Denise Matthews and Michael Lee for “giving us access to their vehicles to transport the instruments to the various performances.”

The evening ended with the exchange of Christmas greetings, a sing along of traditional Chinese songs and dancing to the sounds of sweet pan music of the TTCSE.