Panorama Conductors

Since when did conductors become part of Panorama? I think it looks ridiculous to have these arrangers or whoever waving wands on stage while the bands are playing. Tell me; What sort of direction do these players need? Panorama starts with practice in the yard, so when the actual competition starts, all members have a role and they know how to execute. So what is the reason for haveing these people waving these sticks in front the band. There are no music sheets to be read, no direction to be followed as to when a particular piece must be played. Frankly, they look like idiots. People like Boogsie should know better.

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  • I am not a fan of having someone in front of a panorama band "conducting" or running up and down like an idiot in order to excite the players or to highlight a part for the judges. The most successful panorama arranger, Dr. Jit Samaroo (with 9 panorama titles) has never done this and I think the judges clearly heard his arrangement as he has been so successful. Some of these "conductors" just look like fools!!!!!

  • First was the flagman,then the flagwoman next the singer of the song or the person sung abou,t the sponserama,arrangerama,,then the old Bradley in front the band high like a kite enjoying the music he put down[he never played pan]now isconductorama. Panorama has evolved. up or down.arrangers who do this are making sure that they get good media coverage as they need it after are the riff and shit that they put down for us to play

  • @odw be careful what you accept blindly, understand, "in the land of the blind , the one-eyed man is king'".

  • As a player in London we only started to witness this phenomenon in 2000 coincidently with Boogsie arranging for Mangrove. I personally found it quite amusing as at panorama we've never played pan by score and I kinda thought 'someone wants attention' as I was used to arrangers playing pan with the band or being in the engine room because last minute iron men needed direction. However I can understand how it came about, as a survival technique because the judges are usually stuck in the same ol same ol mentality where they won't notice music without visual aids to alert thier attentions to upcoming passages, and if done well can highlight the chemistry between band and arranger.
    Some bands who remain nameless (trip, slip forward roll lol) over do it! And to me is why this article was wrtten.
    The truth is we will now never rid ourselves of the conductor, but we sure can demand they tone it down a tad!
    I mean what's next, being shot out of a cannon? SMH!

  • There's more to conducting a Panorama band than meets the eye. These arrangements are very complex, and the judges could easily miss passages that the arranger wants to highlight.

    Arrangers like Bradley and Boogsie may look silly to some people as they parade around in front of their bands, but there is method to the madness.

    They are in effect pointing out to the judges and fans what to listen for, and may actually be there more for the audience and judges than for the panists.

    •  the bands should score thier finished pieces and present it to the judges a few days before the event this way no conductor is required

    • Conductors are responsible for communicating with the performers not the judges; their responsibility is to listen.  I imagine some of you would support disqualifying a judge if he or she is supremely qualified but visually impaired.
    • Well said Glen, continue to educate and inform...thanks for the insight.

  • @Gordon -  I think it is laughable and looks ridiculous to put it mildly.  I often wonder, how many of the players beyond the first line ever see them? 

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