Pan Down Memory Lane
Earl Morris & Keith Kirton of Belmont Hi Larks
Staff Article
Interview Recorded: April 20, 2006
For the preliminary round of the Pan Down Memory Lane 2K6 Competition, bands were judged, as in previous years, in their communities. We interviewed some of the key people within the bands about the competition and other activities in the steelband arena. We spoke with Mr. Earl Morris, Manager, and Keith Kirton, Captain of Belmont Hi Larks.
TRINBAGOPAN: Mr. Morris, how long has the band been in existence?
EARL: This band has been in existence for about thirty years. However, we have rejuvenated over the last four years. As you can see, the band has many youths. We are trying to bring back Belmont with the youths. The band was previously based up at the corner of Belle Eau Road, Belmont. About four years ago we moved to this location in care of Belle's Café, Belmont.
TRINBAGOPAN: How has it been going so far?
EARL: We have been doing fairly well. We would really need some financial assistance to take us to where we are supposed to be.
TRINBAGOPAN: What has been the highlight in the band recently?
EARL: We made it to the semi-finals of the National Panorama for the last two years. Last year for 'Down Memory Lane', we missed the finals by one point. We are hoping to make up for that one point this year.
TRINBAGOPAN: What song is the band doing this year?
EARL: The band will be performing "Let's Stay Together" by Al Green.
TRINBAGOPAN: Do you have any final words you would like to share?
EARL: I am just looking for the corporate sponsors to give us some assistance. It takes a lot of money to keep a steelband going. With all the kids we have in the band, we are trying to put a program in place that will keep them around throughout the year. We would like to keep them off the streets and away from crime. We hope to put this program in place very soon.
TRINBAGOPAN: Thank You.
TRINBAGOPAN: Mr. Kirton, what can you tell me about the band?
KEITH: The concept is to get the whole Belmont community to get up behind us because we are the only single pan band in Belmont. We are trying to build a base for the band. We play pan and we also play Mas as well. On J'Ouvert morning we come out with Trotters, and in the evening we bring our own Sailor Mas.
TRINBAGOPAN: Are you one of the veteran players of the Hi Larks Steel Orchestra?
KEITH: Yes I am.
TRINBAGOPAN: How long have you been with the band?
KEITH: I've been with the band for about twenty-five years now. The band evolved long before that. The original captain was Oscar Williams but he is now in the United States.
TRINBAGOPAN: What are you all planning for the rest of the year?
KEITH: We will continue trying to build a repertoire. We are also looking at some events coming up. Our practice sessions will continue for the rest of the year straight into Christmas and then it's Carnival again.
TRINBAGOPAN: Do you have any final words?
KEITH: We are hoping to make the finals in this competition and then we will go on to bigger things.
TRINBAGOPAN: Thank You.
Belmont Hi Larks in Pictures
Down Memory Lane 2006 | Pan in the 21st Century 2006 |Homepage
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