ABA & GLP | Innovation Field Notes:
PanNotation is a digital platform launched in October 2021 that offers steelpan educational resources online. The creators, two well-known Trinidadian steel pannists, wanted to design a space for composers and arrangers to be financially compensated for the sale of their musical scores, while allowing steelpan educators across the globe much-needed access to educational resources. Four years in the making, the platform includes audio recordings, historical data, steel band profiles, and a store to purchase sheet music. In addition to these resources, PanNotation has also created a non-profit branch that will ultimately assist with steelpan projects, including scholarships, international performances, and transcription services
This innovative educational project has close ties to the University of Trinidad and Tobago, the National Academy for the Performing Arts. Dr. Mia Gormandy-Benjamin, CEO of PanNotation and Assistant Professor of Steelpan at UTT APA, spearheaded the creation of the educational platform. She and PanNotation Chairman Mark Loquan oversaw student volunteers who helped gather information and resources to support its development. Designed as an internship, the students gained valuable experience in research and data analysis while contributing to this unique project.
PanNotation fills a critical gap within the global steelpan market by offering musical scores for sale and access to scholarly information and giving back to steelpan communities through its non-profit. The website also offers subscription-based access to previously inaccessible credible academic research on the steel pan, while the non-profit branch will apply for grants to underwrite developmental opportunities to young pannists. With seed funding provided by an angel investor, the team has designed what they believe will be a sustainable business model that ensures each stakeholder receives a percentage of every sale. This is a vibrant example of how a community can preserve local culture while creating opportunities for artists to become visible to an international market, where they can be celebrated and properly compensated for their work.
Learn more at https://www.pannotation.com
Authored by Caitlyn Kamminga (GLP 2021 | Trinidad & Tobago – USA)
Caitlyn Kamminga is a double bassist, playwright, and librettist. PanNotation is a research project designed and implemented by faculty and student graduates of the University of Trinidad and Tobago, the Academy for the Performing Arts, where she currently serves as an Associate Professor of Music (Double Bass).
