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 Posted: Mon Jan 22, 2007 6:28 am Post subject: News Item - John Gray High School Steel Band Rated "Great" |
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From the Cayman Net News:
John Gray High steel band rated as ?great?
Monday, January 22, 2007
A John Gray Steel band section in action.
The John Gray High School Steel Band was one of the many international participants taking part in the 21st New Year?s Day Parade in central London, England.
The parade is now the biggest event of its kind worldwide and this year over 550,000 people lined the route, watching over 10,000 performers from around the world.
The 2.2 mile parade route takes in the highlights of London, starting on Big Ben?s strike of noon at Parliament Square and progressing through central London, passing Downing Street, Piccadilly Circus, The Ritz and finishing in Berkeley Square.
In addition to the thousands of people watching in London, a universal audience would have seen general event coverage within news features showcasing New Year celebrations throughout the world.
?This global exposure of the Cayman Islands should not be underestimated,? said Don McDougall, Regional Manager Europe of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism. ?The John Gray High School Steel Band are great representatives of the arts and culture of the Cayman Islands, and by performing at the New Year?s Parade in London, this has been seen and enjoyed on a global stage.?
Francis Eustace, band leader and organiser of the trip said: ?The members of the John Gray High School Steel Band were great ambassadors and did themselves, their school and their country proud.?
Also the band performed at one of two Gala Concerts at Westminster Central Hall on December 30th ? their performance was so well received that the audience gave a standing ovation and also at the Mayor?s Reception at the Royal Horseguards Hotel after the Parade.
During their stay in London the students had the opportunity to learn a little more about England, with a four-hour guided coach tour of London; a full-day excursion to Stonehenge and the Roman Baths; a night out at a West End Theatre; a half-day tour of Windsor Castle; and a New Year?s Eve Party where they had the opportunity to mix with students from other schools who were in London for the event.
?We would like to thank our many sponsors who donated money, the many individuals and groups who donated ?in kind?, and those parents and well wishers who contributed in so many ways to make this memorable learning experience possible,? said Mr Eustace.
This was the second time the John Gray High School Steel Band has played in the parade.
The band, which was formed in the 1990s, consists of senior high school students who play a range of Caribbean-style music including Calypso, Soca and Reggae.
The band?s popularity and talent has taken them to Florida, Chicago, as far afield as Spain and now the UK. |
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