Preservation of heritage, Responsibility of self and others, Dedication for achievement, Instill community involvement, Experience the joy of accomplishment |
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About Us |
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For booking information, call (617) 233-3578 and ask for Justin Petty or visit us at our rehearsal space (Panyard) located at 324 Harvard Street Dorchester, MA 02124
The mission of Branches Pan Groove Steel Orchestra is to continue to preserve , promote and expose youths, adults and families of the diverse neighborhoods throughout the Greater Boston and New England areas about the cultural and educational aspects of Caribbean Music in the form of the "Steel Drum"- the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century.
In 1977, the band "Roots" was formed by a number of West Indians who emigrated to the US and resided in the Boston area. These immigrants brought with them the only new instrument introduced this century in the Western Hemisphere. From the oil drums left behind by the US military on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago, the Steel Drum was born. "Roots" in the beginning, was an old time steel band. It played the folk and calypso sounds of the islands. In 1983, it incorporated modern and classical music evolving into the conventional steel band that it is today and changed its name to "Branches Pan Groove Steel Band". Today, there are about sixty (60) members ranging from age seven to adult. Ninety percent of the members are under age eighteen. These dedicated young musicians rehearse 6 hours each week. However, during the summer period members rehearse a total of 18 hours weekly. The band has performed throughout New England entertaining an audience of over one million people. It entertains and shares the West Indian culture through music with the areas diverse communities. It has performed for many Governors and Mayors over the past 21 years. The band participates annually in many community sponsored events. Branches participates in multicultural events, city and town parades including the Fourth of July parades in Natick, and Burlington, Massachusetts and numerous town parades in Havervill and Westwood, Massachusetts, as well as, the West Indian festival held each year in Boston. In addition to the Boston West Indian festival, Branches performed at the Champions in Concert at Roxbury Community College. The band also provides entertainment at many annual corporate and private gatherings. Branches entertained residents of Quincy, MA and Providence, RI for their annual First Night celebrations. The band has been returning to Quincy for more than five years. In addition, the band has entertained many audiences of some of Boston's largest financial institutions and universities which includes Northeastern University, Boston University and BankBoston. The band has received many awards for its outstanding hard work and dedication from the Mayors Office as well as local organizations. Recently, they were awarded best steel band in Boston at the Boston's Caribbean Music Awards Show and for its performance at the annual West Indian festival in August. Branches was the Champion for Boston's 1997 Panorama Competition, placed second out of six competitors in 1998 and regained the title in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002. What currently make this band unique are not merely the instruments and the diversity of the music but the dedication of its director, Mr. Carl Smith. Mr. Smith dedicates his time and energy to this band as a community effort. His rewards are the personal satisfaction and gratification he feels knowing that he is making a contribution to the youth that are our future. Branches has been a registered non-profit organization in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts since 1989, |
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Copyright 2005 Justin Time Productions | |||||
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