History:   In 1978 Bertrand Parris formed Glissando Steel Orchestra.  Parris is a steel pan manufacturer, tuner and blender who has also provided all the pans for the orchestra.
Glissando Steel Orchestra is a leading light in the Caribbean community in Britain.  The Orchestra is recognised as being innovative, talented and professional - as well as being a focal point for young people, not only as a music resource but also as a place to come together.

Education:   Glissando play an important educational role.  During 1987 they introduced a community action scheme touring schools teaching the art of playing steel pan.  Glissando, in partnership with local schools, continue to hold steel pan classes in their Pan yard.

Glissando's Saturday classes are free and are open to all age groups.  A highlight of the year for Glissando's students is to play in the procession at the Notting Hill Carnival, Europe's biggest Caribbean release of energy and the world's second largest Carnival!

We are a steel orchestra, whose activities are overseen by the Venture Community Association, which is a charitable organisation (Charity number 1073115) and which is set up as a company (No 2178614) limited by guarantee and managed as a voluntary organisation with a management committee.  The VCA has a creche, a playground for older children and various classes from sewing to line dancing.
We play an important educational role within the Notting Hill area.
Golborne has a diverse multi-cultural population including Arabs, Portuguese, Spanish, West Indian and Philippino and is largely made up of social housing with many low income families and recently arrived immigrants many of whom are keen to learn.

Funding:

On the two days of Carnival following Panorama the orchestra tours the area in the procession and thus could be seen by up to and over a million visitors. The event normally has some national television news coverage.

Previous Sponsors for Glissando have been Black Beauty, British Telecom, New Line, The Boot Tree, The Voice Newspaper, Thunderbird, UDO, Western Union, Carphone Warehouse, The Anti Discrimination Campaign. Rubicon Tropical Island soft drinks and the Royal Air Force..

If you are able to make a donation please make it payable to 'Venture Community Association' with a note that it is for Glissando. The address can be found by following the 'Venture Community Association' link above.
We would be pleased to discuss matters with you so please write to or telephone us to obtain more information.   The Director is also available to discuss matters further.