RYSO - making a difference through music

Andrew Charles

Arranger, Music Director & Music Administrator

How did you start with Renegades?

Alright, so I started off playing with Starlift Steel Orchestra. In the year 2000, I decided to change and come to bp Renegades simply because Starlift was a more senior band, senior members, I was very young. It was more useful to do so my mother decided to bring me to bp Renegades, which had just started a couple of months before I joined, but I joined in the year 2000.

How does it feel coming basically full circle with RYSO?

Well, to be honest, it's more of like a family type feeling because it's something I've known now for 26 years. I mean, it's almost my entire age, so it feels almost family oriented, it feels comfortable, it feels like a safe space to be in here.

What’s it like being arranger/leader?

Well, I've led, I want to say, two different types of generations because I've led a generation that has already gone, which was probably around 2012 to 2018. And then I took a break and then I came back, so now I'm currently in this new generation. And I would say it's a vast difference, it's a vast difference. And the two different groups, any two different age groups, you know, you see a lot of change in society and a lot that is different with the two groups.

The importance of music theory

It was always part of the plan. It happened in the organization on and off but in the past four years we have tried to get it down consistently. We’re doing this because it is very important when it come to a musician. Music is a worldwide language that is accepted worldwide by any musical group or organization. So that was the key focus of me insisting that music literacy was done here permanently and done the right way. Right? So musical literacy really aids a musician when making them a professional. As you realize now, compared to, let's say, 20, 30 years ago, there are a lot of professional music literate jobs available on the market, starting in Trinidad, you see Trinidad has a national steel symphony orchestra. You have a lot of theatre arts companies that look for music producers and writers. Then you can go internationally. What makes you able to be a part of all of those things is being music

literate.

What do you want RYSO members to gain as part of the organisation?

Well, one, to be successful. I would love all of them to be successful individuals, people, persons who are doing something valuable with their time and stuff. And I think music is really, as I said before, they provide, music now provides a lot of different parts for these persons, for these individuals. I mean, some may say we are in a high-risk area where, you know, children, those really have much opportunities, where they may not want to be good on the academic line, you know? But music provides that avenue where you don't have to be a doctor or engineer, but you can live a very comfortable life and you know, you can live a very happy life and, you know, you can still create everything that you want or you dream of which to have.

RYSO is an organization that teached music but it is also competes, how do you blend the different objectives?

So, my favorite line to all the players are, still pan, playing still pan is not about learning, to play still pan actually, you know? Still pan is actually preparing them for life. So, competition does this

extremely well. So, we utilize this particular aspect of still pan to develop young individuals and who they need to be in order to survive in society. So, as simple as you may watch a competition, this teaches them discipline. This competition teaches them how to attend a rehearsal on a particular day, at a particular time, to do a particular job, to accomplish a particular task. So, competition also teaches them how to strive for something, how to want to achieve something, how to fight to achieve something. And the most important thing is, which I think is a big deal right now, is I realize in society in this generation children do not accept defeat. Still pan competition teaches you how to accept defeat, how to learn from it, how to become better at it and how to go back at it as opposed to just giving up or never attempting something again.

Colin Greaves

bp Renegades President

What does RYSO mean for the wider bp Renegades organization?

So RYSO, now in its what, 26th year, is an integral part of Renegades DNA, if I say that. Because the initial vision from Dr. Jit  Samaroo and Michael Marcano who was the manager of the band back then, was that if we could create an incubator program that could one, become a feeder band for the large organization, that we will always ensure that Renegades has a pool of trained and well experienced players by the time they get to the senior category so that they can ensure the musical dominance of the band remains intact.

More than a band…

Beyond that, as a social program, Dr. Jit Samaroo also looked at the community from which the band comes from in each area of community and figured that there was a need for youth programs that positively engage young people in the community. When he looked around the community, there were not many things that would keep young people engaged every single day and have them belong to something that was very positive. So the aim was if we were to get these youth from the community into this program every single day, we won't only teach them music, but we will look at their holistic development. So we would look at their interpersonal relations, we would look at teaching them basics of table manners and decorum and etiquette, we would look at their interpersonal skills of the social side of things.

Music literacy...

We were one of the first formal Youth Steel orchestras associated with a steel orchestra, right? And again, in the holistic development of the students, you look at, the musical development was easy,

because it's a steel band, you know, everybody in Renegades are, you know, expert musicians, fantastic. So, they'd have learned that, but then, Dr. Jit Samaroo was very adamant on ensuring that there was a technical and theoretical side and it wasn't just about the practical execution of music and dexterity. So, he ensured that all of the players of the Youth Orchestra, for instance, that they
needed to be music literate, because he saw that in the future, if the vision for Renegades was to work with international audiences, was to go on tours, work in concert halls around the world, being able to read music would definitely be an asset, because it would just make the band more marketable in that realm.

Toccara Johnson

RYSO captain

Take us back to the beginning…

I was in the grandstand the year before I got picked to play in this Junior Band, and I told my cousin, "Next year, please, Lord, I will be playing in that band."

My first performance with the band, which was in 2019, for that Panorama Finals, it was mind-blowing. I literally cried. I cried because it was such a dream come true to me to be a part of the band. So, just there be, I was playing guitar at that point in time, so I was in the back row, right in front of the percussion. And it was just like a magical experience, just to be our own business with such good energy. And it was just, it was magical.

What have you learned about being captain?

So, being the captain is just, it's a dream come true. And being able to lead persons with integrity and show them what they can be, because it's not just about me, it's about helping others, making sure that they are performing to their full potential. That's what that world means to me.  That's what it means for me to be a captain. Being a captain, I've learned to delegate. Before I came

into this band, I always thought that somebody, one person, had to do everything. And while that may be true, while you can do everything, it is very impossible for you to do that and give your best performance. So, being a captain is giving persons the opportunity to take their strength and enforce it into the organization, making sure that they can be a part of something greater than themselves. So, ensuring that persons take their strength and put it into us, that's the best part you can do as a captain.

Are there any experiences that stand out for you with the band or as captain?

I would say my experiences, one of the experiences that's taken most to me is my conversations with Mr. Andrew. Him having conversations with me because I'm learning as I grow older. So, him coming to me and telling me what I should do, what I should not do, how I could do better. I think that's one of my favorite experiences, as well as my first win ever as captain. It was in the year 2024. It was spectacular because to be able to win and be captain, I mean, that's very real. Who doesn't want something like that? So, that was really a joyful moment for me. I just love the experiences with the
players themselves because they bring a really good energy to the event.

Keol Newton

RYSO chairman

What is the RYOS Academy?

Okay, so the RYSO Academy is more of a personification of the music legacy family. So, in 2000, but actually something in 1999, they were trying to continue the legacy of the band by creating the offshoot of the junior band. It actually was born because of a tour in 1999 that we went on, but we are truly actually the way of creating that immortality in the band of continuing the music and the legacy of the band by passing on to the younger generation. So, we have that continued flow of what Renegades means in the music community. So, right now, the academy is like the birth of how we're going to carry Renegades through all generations. 

The role of Jit Samaroo...

It was a brain child of Jit Samaru. And it was, you see, he was looking at the band at the time, and you know you're looking at, yes, the band have greatness, but then how do you ensure that this greatness transcends time? So, the band formed that as a way of him passing on, not just his knowledge, but then what he saw as what Renegades meant to him and also to the community. So, he tried to find a way where he could teach the younger ones more or less like what it means to be Renegades and what it means to appreciate music.  So, he kind of held on to the first group. We had the first tour, we went to Norway, it was 16 of us, and he kind of, he more or less tried to impart himself on us, so, you know, he made that personal connection. And he kind of was telling us, like, you know, showing us what it means to be in this family. And then from there, now, they either kind of expanded into, okay, now how do we go from just playing pan, but now bringing forward these, like, musicians? So, that's why we have now the theory classes and the activities that kind of help us to create in the community now.

What does the journey mean for you?

Well, for me, from being a player to now, it's more or less like a confirmation of when you become part of the family, you never leave. So, although you're not playing, you find ways to still contribute. So, for me, it's like, I love playing band. It just is a lot more demanding than my time permits. But when it comes to civil organization, I want to always be here because I believe that what we got and what we benefited from must continue throughout. So, for me, it was like a logical progression to ensure that I could still be part of this family that I never left even when, you know,

you're not playing. Because once you come in this band once, it's hard to leave because they build that almost your whole persona becomes the band. So, I always tell people when you join Renegades, it's addictive. You become compulsive. You want to be here every time, every moment. You want to be on every performance.

What do you want to achieve through the RYSO Academy?

So, the Academy goal kind of expands past pan. So, most people try to focus on, you know, well, you know, a youth orchestra, playing pan. But for us, from what I have seen, because if you go back to our first group, what we look at is not just how it impacts the most players but how it affects their life.  So, our goal is not just to produce the next Jit Samaroo or Andrew Charles. So, our thing is that
once they come into our community, wherever they go in life, they must carry. That's in excellence. So, for example, in our first group, we have some of them who are now doctors, some of them who are in the arts in different forms. So, you know, our idea is not just to develop them as pan players, as people say, because we believe it's more than that. When they come into our environment, it's about how they become better persons.

What has stood out for you?

Well, I don't have one moment. For me, it's just every time I see those kids on stage, I've been through like two iterations of it. And, you know, they raise your pores, and you just make it realize that you're actually part of something greater than just pan itself. Because when I look around and see these kids having a great time, and they're executing, and then you see them becoming young adults who start to embody the values of the band, it's kind of like I have my own kids, but then it's feel like they are my kids.

Tyrese Grant

RYSO member

And what does it mean to be part of RYSO?

It's been a great journey. I've learned a lot In the past few years, I've been here. They push me into the leadership roles as well. They teach you about family. They teach you about life. They prepare you for challenges that will come in the future. Since I came here, I've learned to develop my skill. I've learned to deal with people. I've learned how to speak to people. I've learned to change my demeanor, etiquette. It has certain things that you could do outside that you really can't be here like...You have to change. You have to learn how to work with different types of people, different personalities, different people from different backgrounds. You have to know some people would be loud, some people would be soft. Some people would not tolerate a shout-out. Some people would have to shout out. I've learned different approaches in life. With teaching people. It's not only solely around Pan. They give you responsibilities. One thing I've learned about being a leader is being a man.

Emmanuel Joseph

Former RYSO member

Member of the RYSO management committee

Take us back to when you first joined RYSO

I first joined BP Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra in 2015. I got a call from my aunt who was one of the parents here for the Panorama season saying, "We need some 10-up players so just ask in for you to come out." I said, "Sure, I will come and join." Not knowing the weight of what bp Renegades meant to me, but back then, just saying, "Alright, I am going to help out Auntie." I came and joined for the Panorama season. That is where I met Andrew Charles as the arranger for that year. We won the Junior Panorama season, the title with Ola in 2015.

What was going through your mind during that first year?

It was a really great feeling because I came in having had experience from the band that I was a part of before, Melodian Steel Orchestra. I was not afraid of the stage, I was not afraid of the Pan yard. I was able to learn the music really well and be able to perform and dance as I was known for back then. On stage with the band was really amazing. So the professionalism from the rest of the team, so the support of the entire crowd because bp Renegades has that following. We were able to win outright. It was a really great performance. And since then it has been great energy.

How have you grown since joining the band?

Wow, 2015 to now, 2026 I've definitely grown as a player in the orchestra, of course graduating from Junior to Senior. I made my debut with the Senior Band for Panorama in 2020 and I've been a part of the stage side since. I've grown as an arranger. I'm now beginning to do some arrangements for the Junior stage side, you know, assisting the musical director and Andrew Charles. I've also been able to lead the developmental group, which is our youngest group in the academy as the tutor, teacher, then the basic teacher, then the rudiments, taking young kids as young as 6, 7 years old. And you're able to grow as I help them to grow and be able to grow as well. I've grown as a soloist within the band and outside of the band. I've grown as a member of the Pan fraternity and of course just being one of those faces that represents the band here at Renegades has been able to grow as just a player, an outstanding player and I'm even a section leader during Panorama during the Senior stage side, Senior Panorama seasons.

What is RYSO all about?

Riso is so important because it gives an opportunity for young people not just to learn about the culture, not just to learn about the instrument, but really to learn about themselves. We often preach this gospel that in Pan it's not just about Pan. It's about people, it's about teamwork, it's about leadership, it's about discipline, it's about staying committed to something. So RYSO and in fact all the youth steel orchestras across the country give young people that space, that avenue, that opportunity to come together, learn teamwork, learn discipline, learn leadership, learn respect and learn how to stay committed while doing something fun, while doing something productive in a safe space.

Role as a mentor…

Alright, yes, it's great to see how the young people fashion themselves after us because it shows that we, the members of the senior band, are the people that they look up to. We are the role models that they fashion and try and pattern afterwards. How we play in terms of our skill, our technical ability, how we perform, our boisterousness, our fragrant dances and smiling and interacting with the crowd. We see it in the junior band and that's what it's supposed to be. We are supposed to set the example and the after meet, surpass and even improve our standard of performance. They are forging their own way forward. Now, continuing the legacy, playing their music as part of our family in Renegades. So, yes, I see a little bit of myself in them, but of course it's for them to learn from us, but still forge their own way forward as well as they are the individuals in themselves.