Fellow’s Profile
Vivien McDougall
Fellow’s Profile
Vivien McDougall
Steel pan teaching – looking back to go forward
Fellowship
Themes
Countries
Fellowship year
2003
Locality
North West
Biography
I am about to retire from teaching steelband in a primary school.
My Fellowship was to look at the history and current teaching of steelpan in Trinidad where it began. I became interested in the art form on an in-service teacher's course and was hooked. I continued to attend the class and ended up in charge when the teacher retired. I took early retirement from classroom teaching in 2002 and began teaching pan in several schools but now I just go into one. I still love to play in my adult band.
The many children I have been privileged to teach have enjoyed it as much as I have and I will miss them when I finally retire, but at nearly 74 I think it is time.
What I saw and learned in Trinidad widened my knowledge of the subject and gave me confidence to try out techniques I observed. I still have contacts there and felt my trip was well worthwhile. I am most grateful for the expertise and confidence I acquired as a result of my trip to Trinidad.
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.
Disclaimer
All Reports are copyright © the author. The moral right of the author has been asserted. The views and opinions expressed by any Fellow are those of the Fellow and not of the Churchill Fellowship or its partners, which have no responsibility or liability for any part of them.