St. Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Orchestra
Arranger: Dwight Belgrove
Executive Director: Ken Bhagan
Tuner: Gerard Clarke
Contact: 416-515-7884
The St. Jamestown Youth Centre Steel Orchestra was formed in 1993. The Orchestra practices Monday to Friday from 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm during the school year and in the summer months from 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm. The members of the Orchestra range in age between 6 and 21 years old and are part of the St. Jamestown Youth Centre’s Programs.
The Orchestra’s repertoire consists of calypso, reggae, popular, religious and classical music. Over the years, the Orchestra has performed at various functions across the city including the Toronto Lion’s Festival, Filipino Independence Day Celebrations, Canada Day Celebrations, the media and the official launch of Caribana, Pan Alive, Gospel Fest and at the Annual Caribana Parade. They also performed at the Kiwanis Festival, where they won second place in their category, the Halimand Fall Fair in Cayuga, Ontario and at the Birthright International Convention in Toronto. In 2005, the Orchestra took part in the Montreal International Steelpan Festival.
A major highlight for the Orchestra was a trip to the Bahamas in 1999 where they received an award from the Ministry of Tourism. The Orchestra also received a Canada Day Appreciation Award from the City of Toronto for its participation in the Canada Day Celebrations and an award from the Tamils’ Information Committee for its participation in their 2001 Canada Day Celebrations. They have appeared on the breakfast Television City TV and on CTV Canada AM. In December 2004, the Orchestra launched its first CD.
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