Steel bands striving for sustainability

The business of maintaining a steel orchestra whether it be small, medium, or large is not an easy task and the overhead expenses can range from $1 million to $6 million a year.

The Business Guardian spoke to several bands on what it takes to be sustainable yearly.

President of bpTT Renegades, Colin Greaves, said the Carnival season usually costs between $1.6 to $1.7 million a year and the organisation can run into an excess of $5 to $6 million a year.

Greaves said if one does the math in terms of how much the steelband makes even if they win Panorama earning $1 million, 10 per cent must be given back to Pan Trinbago, as that’s part of the agreement, so the band now ends up with $900,000.  

“Then by the time you look at paying all the bills, you’re always in a deficit. For instance, in the Carnival season alone the player’s bill is almost $700,000, catering is over $100,000, tuning is over $100,000, uniforms are....you know it adds up quite quickly. Then there are special effects, decor,  pyrotechnics, and all those things are over $100,000,” he detailed.

Greaves noted that it is important to find other ways to offset the cost through commercial activities.

 “We have a bar, we have a gift shop, so we generate revenue and sales from the sale of merchandise for the season. Of course, we have corporate sponsorships and also have performances that the band will do throughout the season as well as the year. All those things kind of come together in one ecosystem to help cover the cost.”

Asked how much money the 125 players earn for the panorama season Greaves said it can be anywhere between $3,000 and $6,000, depending on the placement of the band in the finals.  Read More