David Sukha’s Funeral

 Date for Entry: (Tuesday 30th December, 2014)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Thursday 24th June, 2021)

Dear Diary,

    Today I dressed up in my shirt and tie to attend and perform at a Funeral for my friend Yohann's Grandfather Funeral. I learned that Mr. Sukha was a strict teacher and that he had built the wooden chairs to the back of the altar in the Church and also the wooden cross hug on the sides of the church’s stage.

    On walking into the Churchyard from the side, I saw Mr. Sharma. He smiled when he saw me with the pan case in my hands. I saw the huge hearse parked in the drive-in by the front doors and then I immediately collected a programme from the nice Belgooves guy. He had just taken them out from the back seat of the hearse. Then dad helped me set up my Tenor pan on the side and then we pushed it inside into the sanctuary. 

    In front, I set up the pan and it was right by the coffin was. I felt so scared a lot. Yohann’s mom came over to thank me for performing before service began. and she helped me fix my tie while Joshua’s dad was right there trying to ask me if I needed help to get a microphone. He turned on one and left it by the book stand for me.

    While sitting, Reverend Adrian came and spoke to me. He said that they wanted my pan playing Tributes segment. I was either number for four or five for that. When it was my turn, I did it with feeling and the verse was done twice as deciding making during the performance. 

    Then there was a father and daughter to do the fifth and last tribute. The daughter read a poem with lit candles. Then the father at the end said, “Goodbye David!” That I knew it was hurting tears from there and it touched me. At the end of the service, Yohann’s mom came and thanked me again and then I gave her my copy of the music I played. I don't know why it is like to give away my music like that but I hope it was kept. 

(Update)

    A special surprise for me was that there was an Indian Presbyterian Bhajan that they gave us to sing called "Yesu Masee. I did not know this one and remembered the 130th Anniversary for the church during Form One that there was a similar one like this. 

Link(s):

1. Funeral Program for David Sukha.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Music Stand

 Date for Entry: (Wednesday 3rd December, 2014)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Monday 15th November, 2021)

Dear Diary,

    Today mommy and I had another appointment at Dr. Poon-King's Rheumatology clinic and as usual, we had to fill the medication but they were out of some of the things we had to get. After leaving the hospital, the next activity as usual was to go down to Simon's Music Supplies store. 

    There I got a music stand. I knew long ago when there was a steelband near the Bowen's Bakery at Bowen's Street in Tunapuna the children had a music stand with the circle and I wanted that one too. It really looked professional and musician-friendly. We had to meet daddy somewhere in the town. He was with Andrew that day. 

    Too many people on the road and as I tried to walk in between and away from them, the big box with the stand kept on hitting others. Daddy took the box with the stand for me and he brought it home that evening. I'm not sure if I went to Hillview later that day or if I went back home reaching Tunapuna.

Link(s):

1. Book Stand Receipt.  

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Field Trip to Chaguaramas Convention Centre

 Date for Entry: (Thursday 1st May, 2014)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Thursday 24th June, 2021)

 

Dear Diary,

    Today some students of the school were going on a field trip to a Career Fair, Conference and Entertainment Expo at the Chaguaramas Convention Center. I was excited about this. The trip was very long but it was good. The boys from Form 4 East sang most of the songs during the day. The formal wear made it all hot too.

    The lunch break was short. Probably about half an hour. Three teachers and Ms. Saunders went to the side of the bay. This was outside of the building, across the road and far down to the part meeting the ocean. While I was walking with Joshua, we both had a  really good joke to laugh about we both lost it. The four teachers sat on a tree log and I stood in the back. I did not feel to eat anything so I opened a bottle of cranberry water that they were giving out for free. I took an extra free bottle but gave it to someone who got thirsty. 

    Later that day, I saw Akeelah from CXC Masters but she was very busy so I just wave bye-bye with my hand through the air. When the conference continued after lunch, we were taught about two boys who first worked for Marchell Montano. And then Kes and Riki Jai were there. I was glad to leave because it was a bit kind of boring at the same time. Plus, Chutney isn’t really my favourite type of music. 

    On leaving the Convention Center, we were given a Police escort back from Chaguaramas all the way to Hillview's compound. I took my blue Decibel cloth bag they gave us and went home when dad came to pick me up. I wished that I was able t take photographs of some of the things that had happened.

Link(s):

1. Official Hillview Letter to Chaguaramas Field Trip.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Aramalaya Good Friday Service (2014)

 Date for Entry: (Unknown/Forgotten)

[2014]

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Thursday 24th June, 2021)

Dear Diary,

    This morning while I was about to step out of the car to walk over to  Church doors, the rain poured down. I ran over like the other persons in the yard. I just got a little wet but not too much. I was going to play steelpan with the Aramalaya Golden Years for this Service. The songs that we played were:

• I surrender All
• Alas and did my Savior Bleed
• Threefold Amen
• Doxology
• At the Cross

    The ladies seemed happy to have me and Ria and some of the others in Youth Group sat in the back and were watched us play. I doubt they even listened. They were probably in the middle of the biggest conversation they were having. I loved this experience and even more so because it was more than two songs for the service. I look forward to if another invitation should come again. 

Link(s): 

1. Aramalaya Good Friday Service - Program. 

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Electricity is a Need

Date for Entry: (Unknown/Forgotten)

[2014; Form 4]

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 6th July, 2021)

Dear Diary,

    Today in Hillview after Recess, the whole school was sent to the Auditorium for an important function. It was lightly decorated all except for the parts by the pans in the right-hand section of the stage. We had soon found out that the energy minister, Mr. Kevin Ramnarine was coming to host an Energy Conference. They made two advertisements to show the students in the auditorium. The music was lovely so I was looking forward to seeing if it would appear on television. 

    The Steel Ensemble had to play the National Anthem to start off the conference. I felt quite proud to play it. The next surprising part was that Ms. Francesca Hawkins was there. It took me three looks over to final recognise who the person was since she did not mention her name. There were no programmes given for this function.

    At the end of the conference, they had food made in little plastic containers. So, then I saw Miss Hawkins. I just wait in the back of two boys who was speaking to her. She was answering a question that to be a reporter it is possible to have a second job at the same time. And then it was my time. 

    It took me a lot of courage to as for her autograph, Lolz. She looked into her black cloth bag they gave us and she signed a page in a notepad they gave us too. She tore it out and gave it to me. I went back to class to have lunch and I carried with me a large smile on my face. Unfortunately, the bell went and we didn’t get to have our hunch. So, Mrs. Mahase our English teacher allowed us to eat during that period.   

 

Link(s):

1. Autograph from Ms. Franchisca Hawkins.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Book of Praise

 Date for Entry: (Unknown/Forgotten) 

[2014: Form 4 West]

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Wednesday 23rd June, 2021)

Dear Diary,

    Today I had to go to Church because Aunty Susan the Youth Group to come. The Presbyterian Sports Day was coming up and they always needed people to help them assist in marching. Somehow we always manage to come last in it. I find that really strange.

    When the meeting was finished, everyone was already leaving and I had to stay back and wait for dad to come back from out the road. Reverend Adrian came in our direction with a soft white bag in his hand. He pulled out the book from inside the bag and said, “Here you go, Daryl. Book of praise! With Sheetmusic! Yaa!” 

    I was so happy to get it because it would help me for future services, whenever I have to play for Church. It had some really beautiful illustrations within and engraved markings on the cover. The spine even had Gold writing as some of the other hymnaries at home. I know this will be treasured ell in my library.

(Update)

Looking back at this document, I appreciate the fact that the persons and musicians responsible for putting this book together were kind enough to insert chord symbols and other elements. For the first time to it is nice to see that single melodies are being accompanied by an instrument (piano in most cases), instead of a full SATB vocal piece. I will also appreciate the “Amen” page provided at the back, which has been very useful to me in steelpan arranging for certain Sunday school pieces.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Music & Words

 Date for Entry: (Monday 20th January, 2014)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 15th June, 2021)

Dear Diary,

    Today I went up to the Staffroom to look for Miss Saunders, to ask her for some help with a past paper question. I even went to ask her if it was possible to still do music. She said that she will have to ask the principal first. It was only then that Miss Saunders had asked me to wait for her because she had something to give me. I was excited because I just knew that it was going to be something about music.

    She came outside of the Staffroom and gave me a piece of paper about a Secondary School Music Lyrics Competition. The first prize is what we both wanted and that was a new and improved computerized music lab for the school. God if we could only win that, it would be a dream come true.

    Just then the bell had wrung and we had to cut the chat and get to class. So I kept the paper close to my heart and walked onwards with a bright smile on my face. J Tonight is another night down at Starlift. I hope I learn the melody in time so I can get good practice.

(Update)

    For the writing of the lyrics for this music competition, writing lyrics was not something that I was used to. I was unfortunately forced by my own self to stop.

 

Link(s):

1. Songwriting Competition Instructions Sheets.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Steelpan to Visitors

 Date for Entry: (Unknown/Forgotten; 2014-Form 4)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 15th June, 2021)

 Dear Diary,

    Today in Form 4 West during the last three periods of school, the Principle had come to ask all of the students in the Steel Ensemble to gather in the Hall. He didn’t say why but it was of course for something musical and fun, I supposed. Hehehehehe J. I walked over with the other six boys in the pan Ensemble over to the hall.

    On arriving at the Hall, there were over two dozen tourists from another country who came to visit the school. The principal came onto the stage and gave a short speech and then gave us the rest of the show. We were the only gathering of people while school continued as normal. Some of the songs we played were:  

• Besame Mucho
• 21 Guns
• Hillview’s School Anthem
• Bluesette
• Girl from Ipanema 

    

    They enjoyed it. There was one regret for me. Because when one of the white men in the group came over, he asked if any of us had known how to play “The Little Mermaid” Theme Song. All the time I knew that song but I couldn’t put it to the pan from my mind. Shortly after they exit the Auditorium at the front and the principal smiled and gave each of us a handshake. We were then allowed to go back to our separate classes.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Hillview College's Anniversary (2014)

 Date for Entry: (Friday 17th January, 2014)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 15th June, 2021)

 Dear Diary,

    Today was Hillview College’s Founder’s Day and I had to play with the School Ensemble. The songs that we played were:

• Besame Mucho – (Processional)
• National Anthem of Trinidad & Tobago
• Fairest Lord Jesus  
• Hillview’s College Anthem

It was quite exciting. Reverend Adrian’s brother Damien did the sermon and after school, they gave us a small bottle of Busta Soft drink and a large muffin like the ones from price mart. I took an apple Busta because that was the best kind I fine.

A while had passed by and then I returned to the Hall after eating the big muffin in class. I had assisted in taking back some of the soft padded chairs up to the Staffroom. Inside the staff, the room was small and cosy but not so packed up as I was expecting it to be.

While walking out, I had a short chat with Ria there and she told me that she didn’t know my mom was in the hospital again. On exiting the room, Mr. Ramsingh found it surprising to hear that I could talk, lolz. I walked back to class with this hard-beating headache. This was the cause of me not getting to go down to Starlift with Mr. Lewis that same evening.

Link(s): 

1. Hillview Anniversary Service Programme.

 

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Trip to Starlift - (Second Panorama Season)

 Date for Entry: (Wednesday 15th January 2014)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 15th June, 2021)

 Dear Diary,

    Tonight, I went down to Starlift with a nice Lady who teaches at Mr. Lewis’ school, Ms. Evan Francis. This was the first time she was going to be in a pan group or even play for Panorama. We chat for a long while until we arrived at the panyard. It was looking the same but at the top of the house, it had the White Oak Logo. The yellow colours around had a good look. 

    As I got out of the car, I went to the pan room and tried to find a Low C Tenor Pan. I got back the same one I used from Form 2 and it still had the name “Albino” in it. I saw a lot of familiar faces from my previous visit. I didn’t see Uncle Desmond as the last time. There was a new Arranger for this year.

(Update)

    It was very interesting for me to see a grassroots arranger beginning to distribute music to the section leaders in the band. I had a funny experience with Mr. Lewis when I asked him if they were going to be sending us a score of the piece anytime soon. He then told me that there wouldn't be music sheets because the arranger will come up with the music on the spot and then tell the other sections what to play.

Link(s):

1. Starlift - Panorama Semi-Finals (2014). "Happiest Man Alive" Arr. Keith Salcedo.

Daryl Zion M. Ali

Music Class Beginning

 Date for Entry: (Monday 13th January, 2013)

Actual Date of Online Entry: (Tuesday 15th June, 2021)

Dear Diary,

    Today I went to Music Lessons by Mr. Lewis. I practised the new scales and arpeggios from the new “Graded Performances for Solo Steelpan Examinations” in the Grade 3 Booklet. 

    At the end of the class, sir gave me the results for the pan examination I did in January. I got ninety-three (93) so this was my Distinction. I didn’t get the certificate but only the score sheet. I also got back my ABRSM Grade 4 results and it was a Merit of eighty-two (82) points. Just a little more to make the Distinction. 

    Later at home, I got dressed at around seven to go down to Starlift Steel Orchestra with Mr. Lewis. Unfortunately, he said that he had fallen asleep so we couldn’t get to go after all.   

Link(s):

1. DCFA Grade 2 Steelpan Examination Results & Certificate. 
2. ABRSM Grade 4 Theory Examination Results & Certificate. 

Daryl Zion M. Ali