QUALIFICATIONS FOR A PANORAMA/STEELBAND
COMPETITION JUDGE
The following are qualifications an individual should have in order to be seated as a Panorama/Steelband competition – except for World Steelband Competition:
Must have excellent hearing/listening/aural skills with the ability to articulate with clarity what is musically being heard;
Must have a demonstrated aural ability to objectively analyze and constructively critique musical performances—not limited to steelband performance;
Must have the ability to aurally and analytically compare an arrangement of a calypso done for Panorama to the original/vocal version, and/or other compositions not germane to the calypso idiom;
Must have excellent communicative (writing/narrative) skills, in addition to an ability to appropriately notate rhythmic passages/phrases/motifs heard in arrangements;
Must have a thorough understanding of the steelpan family of instruments; an ability to play would be an asset;
Must have some arranging skills;
Must have some ability to improvise on an instrument;
Must have attained the minimum of Grade VIII theory and practical from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and/or Trinity College of Music; or, a music degree from an accredited institution of higher education, and/or, the equivalent of a minimum of 10 years experience as a musician;
Must have experience judging or critiquing musical performance;
Must exhibit an openness to creativity and risk-taking in music;
I want to say, unequivocally, that this piece is not intended to marginalize All Stars’ winning performance. As an arranger myself, and one who has a tremendous amount of respect for the work all the arrangers put in to get their bands to the big stage, I am very concerned about the perception that judges (respectfully) are trying to force arrangers to do what they want. This statement is based on score sheets I have seen.
I had an informal conversation with an executive of Pan Trinbago during the week leading up to the finals and we discussed among other issues, the fact that at present there is no one (any executive) who can review score sheets to see what the judges are saying. Inevitably, there is no accountability on the part of the judges, and as long as this continues, the saying that Panorama is killing the music will be a part of the steelpan lexicon. I know certain executives at Pan Trinbago are trying their best to fix what I see as a perennial problem, but they are moving with deliberate speed. That is not good for the premier steelband competition in the world. Is it possible that the 51st year of Panorama will see some drastic changes? Only time will tell.
