$10,000,000 Orchestra?

[UML]

Divine Echoes seeks corporate sponsorship
By Carolyn Kissoon carolyn.kissoon@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Jul 3, 2012 at 11:00 PM ECT

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2012 at 11:00 PM ECT

The Divine Echoes Orchestra – a creation of former prime minister Patrick Manning – is seeking corporate sponsorship.

Band manager Tamba Gwindi said the contract for the State-run orchestra expires in August and may not be renewed.

Divine Echoes, formed in 2007, operates under the Office of the Prime Minister.

"We have had no confirmation for a renewal of contract for the band at all. We function with the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and we get all information through her. To date we have not had any meeting and we are not sure what is happening with the contract," he said.

Gwindi insisted that Divine Echoes would survive, even if its contract is not renewed.

He said band members were seeking funding for the orchestra elsewhere.

"We have had verbal interaction (with Government officials) and were told that we need to prepare for the event that the contract is not renewed," he said.

Gwindi said the orchestra was never invited to perform at functions hosted by the People's Partnership Government.

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Rodger Samuel was the only Government official to visit the band, he said.

"We did a performance at his constituency. He was the only one who personally showed interest in what we were doing," he said.

Gwindi said band members were trying to gain support from corporate citizens.

"And the band is in the process of putting itself more and more out there, in terms of the public eye and in terms of securing performances. We are looking at being able to perform in different configurations - a client can get a smaller version of Divine Echoes for functions if they wish," he said.

Divine Echoes would continue to record albums, he said.

Gwindi said band members would not lose their jobs, but continue to offer services to communities through music education.

"This will not be the end of Divine Echoes, we don't have corporate sponsors at this time as we are still under the Office of the Prime Minister, but we are embarking on making that possible as long as the contract is not renewed," he said.

Samuel responded that the Divine Echoes contract was being reviewed.

"A lot is being reviewed at this time and I am awaiting the final report. I did visit the band and I found that they have a lot of potential, but I cannot say what is taking place until it is reviewed," he said.

Newly appointed Minister of Multiculturalism, Dr Lincoln Douglas, said he was not aware that the contracts would not be renewed in August.

"I am now getting up to speed and I am not sure what is happening with (Divine Echoes). But I will look into it," he said.

More than $10 million was invested in the band since its launch at Queen's Hall, Port of Spain. Manning said then that Divine Echoes would not be a "government" band and while it would be initially funded, the orchestra would be "weaned" off State money.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Div ... 04155.html

[Habit7]

"Whatever the cost, I can assure you the benefits far outweigh any monetary cost and we will continue to invest in the fight against crime."

http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/_Mo ... 31655.html

[Hook]

lemme hear exactly what you know about this orchestra

[UML]

lemme hear exactly what you know about this orchestra

Divine Echoes seeks corporate sponsorship

More than $10 million was invested in the band

[Hook]

So, y'all don't know the cost of instruments? How many members? Whether the members are there full time or part-time? Are they on contract to the Office of The Prime Minister to be in the band? What their salaries are like since 2007? All y'all know is what the newspapers print?

Trained musicians, some university graduates in music, left their private sector jobs to be in this band, BTW. I was offered a position, but they refused to transfer my appointment or offer secondment and I ain't taking no pay-cut.
But to many others, the pay was better than what they were getting at the time and the opportunity to actually invest yourself full-time in your passion was very enticing. If/when this band dissolves, what of the members who'll be put on the breadline?

It's real easy to laugh at Maning's/Marchan's brainchild falling to the ground and groan about how much was invested over the last 5 years, but these are real people with lives and bills and families. This was not just a "PNM band". Remember that.

Now I'm not defending Manning's decision, mind you.

Even though instruments are VERY expensive (a single cymbal could cost $2000TT, a standing bass could cost more than a SUV from the firm, and that's not even the premium stuff), that band was bleeding crazy money.
After initial set-up costs, salaries for the 28 members comes up to just over TT$2M a year, and let's say another million for transport, instrument upkeep, allowances and administrative salaries/fees; it's a stretch to justify TT$5M/yr. But I wouldn't disband the group, I'd streamline the costs involved and push them to get their own gigs and create community outreach programmes. Sport isn't the be all and end all (try justifying bringing Shaquille O'Neil to lift up the PM like a sack of potatoes).

It's kind of saddening, really.

[dougla_boy]

hmmmmm............awaits the sheep

[shogun]

Y'all taking UML orn? He only has to hear Manning/PNM + money spent and his panties get soiled.

That's as far as he thinks things through.

[InDeForest]

Did they ever perform at any public concert? I see they mention here they played at a constituency? Where do they rehearse?

[Habit7]

Whether PNM or PP, I just hear we spending TT$9,000 a month per prisoner just for food alone!

[pyung99]

[Gladiator]

They don't look like any professional anything....

[RIPEBREDFRUIT]

Divine Echoes seeks corporate sponsorship
By Carolyn Kissoon carolyn.kissoon@trinidadexpress.com

Story Created: Jul 3, 2012 at 11:00 PM ECT

Story Updated: Jul 3, 2012 at 11:00 PM ECT

The Divine Echoes Orchestra – a creation of former prime minister Patrick Manning – is seeking corporate sponsorship.

Band manager Tamba Gwindi said the contract for the State-run orchestra expires in August and may not be renewed.

Divine Echoes, formed in 2007, operates under the Office of the Prime Minister.

"We have had no confirmation for a renewal of contract for the band at all. We function with the permanent secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and we get all information through her. To date we have not had any meeting and we are not sure what is happening with the contract," he said.

Gwindi insisted that Divine Echoes would survive, even if its contract is not renewed.

He said band members were seeking funding for the orchestra elsewhere.

"We have had verbal interaction (with Government officials) and were told that we need to prepare for the event that the contract is not renewed," he said.

Gwindi said the orchestra was never invited to perform at functions hosted by the People's Partnership Government.

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister Rodger Samuel was the only Government official to visit the band, he said.

"We did a performance at his constituency. He was the only one who personally showed interest in what we were doing," he said.

Gwindi said band members were trying to gain support from corporate citizens.

"And the band is in the process of putting itself more and more out there, in terms of the public eye and in terms of securing performances. We are looking at being able to perform in different configurations - a client can get a smaller version of Divine Echoes for functions if they wish," he said.

Divine Echoes would continue to record albums, he said.

Gwindi said band members would not lose their jobs, but continue to offer services to communities through music education.

"This will not be the end of Divine Echoes, we don't have corporate sponsors at this time as we are still under the Office of the Prime Minister, but we are embarking on making that possible as long as the contract is not renewed," he said.

Samuel responded that the Divine Echoes contract was being reviewed.

"A lot is being reviewed at this time and I am awaiting the final report. I did visit the band and I found that they have a lot of potential, but I cannot say what is taking place until it is reviewed," he said.

Newly appointed Minister of Multiculturalism, Dr Lincoln Douglas, said he was not aware that the contracts would not be renewed in August.

"I am now getting up to speed and I am not sure what is happening with (Divine Echoes). But I will look into it," he said.

More than $10 million was invested in the band since its launch at Queen's Hall, Port of Spain. Manning said then that Divine Echoes would not be a "government" band and while it would be initially funded, the orchestra would be "weaned" off State money.http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/Divine_Echoes_seeks_corporate_sponsorship-161304155.html

what else do people expect when the "KING" had his PERSONAL entertainment, claimed they were paid such and such and was really pocketing more than 60% of what was claimed.

[UML]

really worth the $10,000,000

[silent_riot]

Do not want.

[Sky]

The guitarist playing a 6-7k guitar there. He have another 6-7k guitar put down next to him.
In an orchestra with brass, wind and bow string instruments, the guitar will be the cheapest thing there.

[matthewmazda]

So, y'all don't know the cost of instruments? How many members? Whether the members are there full time or part-time? Are they on contract to the Office of The Prime Minister to be in the band? What their salaries are like since 2007? All y'all know is what the newspapers print?

Trained musicians, some university graduates in music, left their private sector jobs to be in this band, BTW. I was offered a position, but they refused to transfer my appointment or offer secondment and I ain't taking no pay-cut.
But to many others, the pay was better than what they were getting at the time and the opportunity to actually invest yourself full-time in your passion was very enticing. If/when this band dissolves, what of the members who'll be put on the breadline?

It's real easy to laugh at Maning's/Marchan's brainchild falling to the ground and groan about how much was invested over the last 5 years, but these are real people with lives and bills and families. This was not just a "PNM band". Remember that.

Now I'm not defending Manning's decision, mind you.

Even though instruments are VERY expensive (a single cymbal could cost $2000TT, a standing bass could cost more than a SUV from the firm, and that's not even the premium stuff), that band was bleeding crazy money.
After initial set-up costs, salaries for the 28 members comes up to just over TT$2M a year, and let's say another million for transport, instrument upkeep, allowances and administrative salaries/fees; it's a stretch to justify TT$5M/yr. But I wouldn't disband the group, I'd streamline the costs involved and push them to get their own gigs and create community outreach programmes. Sport isn't the be all and end all (try justifying bringing Shaquille O'Neil to lift up the PM like a sack of potatoes).

It's kind of saddening, really.

yea but $10,000,000

[Hook]

They're saying TT$10M has been spent on it since 2007 but also saying the band costs $5M a year to run. That math not making sense.

TT$10M over 5years works up to TT$2M a year which is just under $6000 a month for 28 people, which is the size of the orchestra.

[Dizzy28]

I just thought 10 million was for the tangibles like the instruments and equipment and the 5 mil is recurrent expenditure like salaries and travel etc.

[Hook]

^^^ that's a lot more believable...except $10M is A LOT, and then there's the $5M annual bill.

It wouldn't surprise me if somebody eatin' ah food.

[Country_Bookie]

Where have they been performing for the last two years if the government hasn’t invited them to any of its functions?
What’s the point of the gov’t continuing to honour their contract and pay them without making use of their services? Just becos it was perceived as Manning’s band, that doesn’t mean they could not have been utilized.

[UML]

^^^ why should they even be created much less utilized when there is the police band, army band, and who ever else have a band?

[RIPEBREDFRUIT]

the Ridiculous thef-spenditure of the previous govt will continue to come out more and more.

[Hook]

^^^ why should they even be created much less utilized when there is the police band, army band, and who ever else have a band?

You're not giving the impression that you have a solid stance on the matter. Is your grouse the cost of the band or the existence of it?

It was a youth initiative that clearly didn't pan out as expected. Members were initially supposed to have been 25 and under (age exceptions were made for some). Some members of the Police and Army bands were actually seconded/transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister for the first year to ease the teething pains that young bands/orchestras tend to go through.
You'd be surprised to know the running costs of those bands you mentioned.

I see no problem with the initiative, since there's no law limiting the number of bands/orchestras in a country. As a matter of fact, I honestly believe music and the arts could do much more for the nation's youth than buying basketballs and building courts for them to congregate.
Trinidadian musicians and artistes need to create something other than wine and jam and rum songs.

I know how expensive it is to create music, I just have a problem with the running costs of the band and the lack of value for my tax dollars.

[Habit7]

UML and RIPEBREDFRUIT would like us to raise eyebrows for a 5 year initiative involving expensive equipment spread over 28 ppl.

But we should shrug our shoulders that at multimillion twin-engine medium helicopter procured for drug interdiction and border protection is being used for VIP transport for the PM to avoid a 30-60 min drive.
Some how I believe that will be much more than $10 million.

[Dizzy28]

^^^ why should they even be created much less utilized when there is the police band, army band, and who ever else have a band?

You're not giving the impression that you have a solid stance on the matter. Is your grouse the cost of the band or the existence of it?

It was a youth initiative that clearly didn't pan out as expected. Members were initially supposed to have been 25 and under (age exceptions were made for some). Some members of the Police and Army bands were actually seconded/transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister for the first year to ease the teething pains that young bands/orchestras tend to go through.
You'd be surprised to know the running costs of those bands you mentioned.

I see no problem with the initiative, since there's no law limiting the number of bands/orchestras in a country. As a matter of fact, I honestly believe music and the arts could do much more for the nation's youth than buying basketballs and building courts for them to congregate.
Trinidadian musicians and artistes need to create something other than wine and jam and rum songs.

I know how expensive it is to create music, I just have a problem with the running costs of the band and the lack of value for my tax dollars.

2 best points in there.

[UML]

^^^ why should they even be created much less utilized when there is the police band, army band, and who ever else have a band?

You're not giving the impression that you have a solid stance on the matter. Is your grouse the cost of the band or the existence of it?

It was a youth initiative that clearly didn't pan out as expected. Members were initially supposed to have been 25 and under (age exceptions were made for some). Some members of the Police and Army bands were actually seconded/transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister for the first year to ease the teething pains that young bands/orchestras tend to go through.
You'd be surprised to know the running costs of those bands you mentioned.

I see no problem with the initiative, since there's no law limiting the number of bands/orchestras in a country. As a matter of fact, I honestly believe music and the arts could do much more for the nation's youth than buying basketballs and building courts for them to congregate.
Trinidadian musicians and artistes need to create something other than wine and jam and rum songs.

I know how expensive it is to create music, I just have a problem with the running costs of the band and the lack of value for my tax dollars.

definitely NOT a "youth" band

why reinvent the wheel and cost when you already have it.......a band will not cost $10 million dollars in to buy instruments and organise.......especially since if they lucky they playing once a week..which surely they not.....more reason for the police band because they wud play rarely...no need for a personal band.......playing once a week is being generous

how many successful musicians (like this type) do we have compared to sportsmen (could even narrow it down to basketball)

a waste of money....to create, own and operate.....btw indian doh play instruments? wah bout our beloved steel pan?

[jaceson]

i looked at part of the vid above and I didnt see a steel pan......i mean that's our heritage and yet it cannot be showcase on a serious stage as above.

my point is that i agree with the classical instruments but we have one which is just as good.......

we really as a people and even the governments past and present have no realistic vision or long term goals to develop Trinbago.

[Hook]

You're both grasping at straws there.

One minute you think it shouldn't have been formed on the basis that there are other bands like it, then the next minute, you're okay with it, but have a problem with the exclusion of the steelpan, even though we have so many steelbands.

This isn't making any sense. My contribution to this discussion is over.

[Les Bain]

Manning said then that Divine Echoes would not be a "government" band and while it would be initially funded, the orchestra would be "weaned" off State money.

Might be a raw deal to the band members but if that was Manning's intent, what's the problem now? Scrimp and survive like every other local band not pushing contemporary jam & wine or face reality that disbanding is a real possibility. And honestly after hearing about this orchestra for so long and watching those clips, it's disappointing.

[brams112]

Why can't this band stand on their own legs like other bands in the country?Go on tours and make money with their talent,carry a few steel pans and show the outside world people here know how to play the steelband too.