US students study pan in Lopinot

TWELVE students from the University of Minnesota, USA are currently in TT learning about pan and Caribbean history.

Hosted by Selwyn "Fruits" Williams, public relations officer of FCB Supernovas at the panyard in Lopinot, the university students are getting first-hand knowledge of the pan.

Williams says he has been facilitating students from different universities in the USA for over 12 years. He got the idea for this education programme through a chance meeting with Professor Harvey Price.

Williams lived in Philadelphia for 14 years and was involved with Philly Pan Stars steel orchestra. After meeting Price they began to work on the idea of getting students to the home of the pan. Price has also taken the national instrument to Israel.

Williams told Newsday he has hosted students from Delaware, Ohio, South Carolina and other places and is currently working on bringing more from Boston and New York. He says ten universities have already applied for the programme.

The students get extra credits towards their examinations for what is termed “the outdoor project.”

Williams is looking to have all universities involved in pan to be considered members of Pan Trinbago. He says it’s a work in progress.