Junior Pan gets ECGC injection

When the Junior Pan Festival comes off at the Bishops College Yard in Kingstown July 6, eight bands will try to take the title from defending champion National Lotteries Authority Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra.

Preparations for this year’s Junior Pan Festival intensified this week with presentation of EC$10,000 by the East Caribbean Group of Companies (ECGC).{{more}}

The ceremony was held last Wednesday at the Sir Phillip Veira training Room at the company’s Campden Park site. Youlou Pan Movement’s president Warren Knights received the money on his group’s behalf. Knights praised ECGC for their assistance. He noted their association with the art form over the years and highlighted their contribution to Pan Festival Concerts staged as part of the build up to the 2005 carnival.

Kirk Smith, ECGC’s Marketing Officer noted the company’s contribution to national development “through significant investments and involvement in sports, education and culture.”

He echoed his company’s commitment to youths and pan, especially, and stated: “We strongly believe that this art form can indeed help our young people to develop the discipline much needed to master life.”

The ECGC Marketing officer noted YPM’s struggle for nearly 30 years.

The other bands in the ECGC Junior Panorama will be Starlift, Elite Steel orchestra, Girls’ High School, Adelphi Secondary, St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown, Troumaca Primary School, Union Island Secondary and C.W. Prescod.

The Junior Pan Festival will be a forerunner to the Senior championship, which is slated for July 9. Five bands will vie for the Senior title.