Antigua and Barbuda National Panorama:-

Information from source indicates that the authority within the Pan Association are fully aware of the position taken by the Carnival Development Committee with regards to adjucators. The source informs that the CDC some years ago, indicated to the Pan Association, that it (CDC) cannot afford to accomodate more than three (3) overseas adjudicators. The Pan association was left to ponder the sourcing of the additional four (4) adjudicators, in order to avoid breaching Rule #7 of its National Panorama Rules and Regulations. The source further indicated that a majority of the executive opined that there were no local qualified and reputable musician capable to adjudicate a panorama and since the association did not have the finances to source the addotional four (4) adjudicators, it had no other option but to accept the CDC's position taken. Hence the reason for a panel of three (3) adjudicators being utilized over the past five (5) or more National Panoramas. Additionally, the source indicated that ongoing investigation by the hierarchy of the Pan Association have revealed that the Merit Marking System have been utilized for the last five (5) or more National Panoramas. It is undoubtedly clear, that without a panel of five or more adjudicators, neither the Aggregate nor Hi and Lo Systems of marking is applicable.

It is high time that the hierachy of the Pan Association come to Pan Fraternity and the public at large and reveal the truth about this issue. Prolonging the revelation of the truth can and will cause the artform to retrogress.

We cannot and must not allow ourselves to abandon moral values and principle.

We cannot and must not allow ourselves to trade civilization for barbarism

We must choose the all encompassing; the all embrassing "PANISM".

A few years ago, I was invited to adjudicate the Panorama Finals in Antigua. I first conducted a workshop with the four local judges selected. We went through the criteria together to ensure we were all on the same page. I insisted that copies of all the songs to be played be made available to the judges and that they were to become intimately acquaintend with them. Since there were only six bands there was no prelims or Semi-finals so I suggested that we visit each pan yard before the finals. We listened to each band's arrangement and gave helpful hints to each arranger. On competition night we used both the aggregate system using all five judges' scores as well as the Hi-Lo system resulting in three scores being used. We got the same result from both systems. The results were well received by patrons. The following day the judging panel met with the arrangers and had a post mortem. This was a very useful exercise. I am recommending that seven judges be used both in Antigua and Trinidad comprising three foreign judges and four local ones. The foreign judges can come from North America, Europe and the Caribbean which have competent personnel capable of being used in this capacity. I also recommend that the Hi-Lo system be used.

Alvin Daniell

Replies

Stafford Joseph September 11, 2011 at 8:48pm

My Brothers and Sisters,

I now have in PDF format the Antigua and Barbuda 2011 National Panorama Adjudicators Score Sheets (complete). I am prepared to share the information with you. I tried posting the document but I was not successful. I need some directives.

Thank you.
Foy Barnes September 2, 2011 at 6:47pm

Hi Stafford, in your piece you mentioned Rule #7 of the National Panorama Rules and Regulations. Would you be kind enough to state that rule for me or better yet, if possible, post all of the rules. If you could also tell me when these rules came into effect, I would really appreciate it. Much thanks!
- Stafford Joseph > Foy Barnes September 2, 2011 at 7:11pm
  
  My Brother, I have the document saved in PDF format. I would be grateful for your e-mail address so as to share the document with you.(Inbox me your email address). The Rules to the best of my knowledge and information, came into effect in 2003.
Alvin September 1, 2011 at 11:32am

A few years ago, I was invited to adjudicate the Panorama Finals in Antigua. I first conducted a workshop with the four local judges selected. We went through the criteria together to ensure we were all on the same page. I insisted that copies of all the songs to be played be made available to the judges and that they were to become intimately acquaintend with them. Since there were only six bands there was no prelims or Semi-finals so I suggested that we visit each pan yard before the finals. We listened to each band's arrangement and gave helpful hints to each arranger. On competition night we used both the aggregate system using all five judges' scores as well as the Hi-Lo system resulting in three scores being used. We got the same result from both systems. The results were well received by patrons. The following day the judging panel met with the arrangers and had a post mortem. This was a very useful exercise. I am recommending that seven judges be used both in Antigua and Trinidad comprising three foreign judges and four local ones. The foreign judges can come from North America, Europe and the Caribbean which have competent personnel capable of being used in this capacity. I also recommend that the Hi-Lo system be used.

Alvin Daniell
- Foy Barnes > Alvin September 1, 2011 at 3:18pm
  
  Hi Alvin, this is quite good and all well taken, but do we really need to have more judges than competitiors? The CALYPSO MONARCH show in Antigua is monstruous compared to Panorama, and the ratio of judges to competitors is no where near to what you are suggesting. I have played in Panorama in Antigua with a lone judge several times. and the decision was never questioned. Anthony Prospect has adjudicated Antigua's Panorama several times by himself. I am not advocating a single judge format. I honest think that five (5) judges is more than enough to render an accurate Panorama decision in a six band competition..
  - jerome ebenezer clarke > Foy Barnes September 1, 2011 at 3:38pm
    
    This is preposterous,,where in this world as it goes in relation to the judging of competitors, a one man judge and jury can function as required, lets use common sense,no one has to be a scholar from the UWI,or whatever, it,s just logical reasoning,,,.the words for me to explain further doesn,t exist in the encyclopedia. ,,,eg a music teacher ,,,a guitarist,a pianist,,a steelpan tuner can be chosen as a judge for a competition, once they are of good standing .
- jerome ebenezer clarke > Alvin September 1, 2011 at 12:59pm
  
  A perfect solution,, for the selection of judges,,thereby comes no favouritism.
- Glenroy R Joseph > Alvin September 1, 2011 at 12:24pm
  
  Great input Alvin.
  
  Because of the importance of Panorama competitions to the steelband community, the issues of fair and transparent judging raised here by by Mr Joseph are extremely important , and deserve our attention.
  
  It is especially important that people like yourself who've been involved in the process share their thoughts with us.
  
  We are all enlightened by your practical knowlege of the issues, and your input gives additional credibility to this forum.
jerome ebenezer clarke September 1, 2011 at 8:40am

I once sat as a [[ jury lid ]] this is dutch,, for a song festival in suriname, this consisted of more than five persons at the then time,,now it,s incomprehensible for three persons to be the judges of a competetion, ,,,,unbelievable!!!!!
Randi Curvan September 1, 2011 at 5:57am

Well at least they have a rule.

If we in trinbago have a similar rule, then I don't know how many judges are "swayed" not to give Southbands their due.

of 2

This reply was deleted.