Bucks Inspires through Steelpan

SV2G Steelpan Bucks Inspires through Steelpan music

SV2G has been granted the Inspire Mark – the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme. SV2G Steelpan Stepping Stone project funded by the Arts Council England will build the capacity of Wycombe Steel Orchestra and the steelpan development within Buckinghamshire. Wycombe Steel Orchestra will be performing at the Wycombe Community Festival that will be part of the Cultural Olympiad London 2010 Games this year July.

Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games said: “Steelpan Stepping Stones is encouraging young people to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as SV2G are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games to boost participation in Buckinghamshire”

The London 2012 Inspire programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The inspire mark for this project will aspire and drive through a together message to our young people to be proud of their Country and proud of being part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. SV2G is further inspired that Carnivals and Festivals that is part of the Cultural Olympiad programme of which enables them to profile the work of our young people and demonstrate to them their creative worth at the Wycombe Community Festival.

Jacqueline Roberts, Chair of SV2G said “We are excited by London 2012 to see the Games not only for London, but for everyone in the UK. We feel it would be an ideal chance to grow, shine, express, and promote our sense of pride, being British. This is a unique opportunity where we all can be part of welcoming the world to our British rich mix.”

SV2G has been raising the awareness of African and Caribbean culture for the past six years. During this time they have worked in schools, youth groups and community groups delivering workshops, seminars and presentations. All activities are specifically planned to encourage communities to identify and celebrate the African & Caribbean culture within the arts. SV2G also works in partnership with many other organisations including local education authorities delivering peripatetic Steelpan and other workshops in schools.

One of SV2G’s main projects has been the formation of Wycombe Steel Orchestra which has been active for 4years. All members are volunteers comprising of up to 30 musicians from a diverse background, ranging from 10 – 25 years of age. The young musicians have been privileged to perform before The Prime Minister of St Vincent & the Grenadines, Hon. Dr. Raph. E. Gonsalves, The Earl of Wessex, H.R.H Prince Edward, and the Paralympic Handover.

The organisation made history last year in leading the development of the steelpan instrument in the UK.(July 2009). SV2G hosted two Steelpan Examiners from the University of the West Indies along with the Associated Board for the Royal School of Music (ABRSM). Wycombe Steel Orchestra made history taking the first Steelpan graded examinations in the UK. The examinations are part of the SV2G Steelpan Stepping Stones Project. This project was not only a niche in the U.K. and European marks but was also crucial to their aims and objectives to SV2G’s current work in raising the standards and status of the Steelpan instrument.

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