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The Minister's Speech
St. Ann's, Port of Spain: November 17, 2011
Please see below the remarks that were delivered by Permanent Secretary
Jennifer Jones, Ministry of The Arts and Multiculturalism on behalf of
Minister Peters at the Launch of the Pan App earlier today at Queen's
Hall.
"Good morning. I bring greetings to you on behalf of the Honourable
Winston Peters, Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism and
congratulate Digital Business on creating this latest innovation in
advancing our national instrument. As the Ministry of the Arts and
Multiculturalism, we remain committed to projects that promote our
national identity and the international exposure of our cultural
products. Therefore, we take pride in supporting this cause and
encourage everyone to benefit from the features of this new software.
This morning marks a significant milestone in the journey of the pan as
we can surely say that our national instrument has arrived in the
digital age. While the development of Digital Business’s software is
cause for celebration in itself, we are equally as proud that the pan
will gain worthwhile exposure and bring about more personable ways of
promoting our culture.
This app can serve as a powerful teaching tool. Because of the feature
that allows one to show the instrument with the notes displayed, the app
may be used as a powerful audio-visual aid when explaining the placement
of notes on the instrument. Additionally, the playback feature allows
the teacher to demonstrate what the note should sound like.
For the student, the app will bring about greater convenience for
practice. Because the learner interfaces with a mobile device, an object
always on hand, practice can take place outside the traditional learning
space, at any time and one does not have to acquire a steel pan.
Furthermore, given the amount of persons with smart phones and tablets,
more people will be able to learn our national instrument.
While many traditionally inclined players may argue that the experience
of using the app in no way comes close to standing in front of a real
pan and playing, I must say that, this software is indeed an innovation.
In this fast paced world, I am pleased to see that the steel pan can
keep abreast of technology and serve the needs of its lovers in the busy
world in which we live.
In this regard, I am also pleased that Pan Trinbago has agreed to stand
behind Digital Business’ software innovation. My desire is that both
organizations will collaborate to strategically promote the pan app so
that the largest amount of people will benefit.
To Digital Business, the creators of the pan app, I say thank you. You
have indeed carried our national instrument ahead by considerable
strides; not just into the realm of digitization but to the thousands of
people all around the world with access to an appropriate mobile device
and the desire to learn and interface with our national instrument.
Furthermore, you have proven that Trinidad and Tobago is not just a
nation that produces oil and music, but we can also create trendy,
technological products that are relevant to people all over the world.
From the Tamboo Bamboo all the way to our smart phones, the steel pan
stands as an eloquent monument of passion, resistance, resilience and
innovation. I encourage each one of us to keep the momentum going as we
take our national instrument and other cultural products into newer and
even more exciting territory."
Thank you. |
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