Get a taste of Salah Steelband Academy as they prepare for the International Panorama competition in T&T
Contact Staff
For many music lovers, the sound of a steelband in full musical flight can be an intoxicating experience.
And every summer, those Montreal steelpan lovers look to the annual Montreal International Steelpan Festival (MISF) for their fill of sweet pan.
For many years the festival was staged at Parc Jean Drapeau, but has since made it’s way back into the community because it’s where pan belongs, according to MISF founder Salah Wilson.
So after one or two years at the grounds of CEDA in Little Burgundy, this year the big stellband show will be staged at McKenzie Park in Cote des Neiges and will feature several school and youth bands from across Montreal, including Coronation Steelband, St. Monica Steelband, Westmount Park Steelband, John Grant Steelband, Special Connection, CDNBCA Teen Steelband and CDNBCA Senior Steelband.
There will be a special appearance by West Can Sr. & Jr. Drummers.
The festival will also be an opportunity for Montrealers to hear and enjoy Salah Steelpan Academy as they prepare for the International Steelband Panorama that will be staged in Trinidad and Tobago in August.
The band, which will be comprised of players from Montreal and Toronto, will be testing its mettle against some of the best steelbands in the world, including 12 of Trinidad’s best, including Trinidad All Stars and Phase 11.
The Academy will perform a popular 2015 pan calypso, Outta de Box, arranged by Salah, and from early listening and testing is expected to properly represent Montreal in the competition.
Salah Steelband Academy will take an impressive track record into the international competition, having won four straight Canadian Steelband championships at Toronto’s Pan Alive between 2005 and 2010. In 2011, the Academy placed second before entering a rebuilding phase.
This year’s Montreal International Steelband Festival is being held in conjunction with the Cote des Neiges Black Community Association and is expected to inject some enthusiasm in the drive to Trinidad and Tobago.
Salah Steel Pan Academy in association with The Cote Des Neiges Black Community Association – Present the 14th annual Montreal International Steelpan Festival, July 5, 2015 at 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at McKenzie Park on Cote St. Catherine Cote des Neiges.
Sponsors and Vendors contact 514-651-4545.
General information: http://www.steelpanplus.com/fism–ssa.html.
