The Grenadian Voice
Cindy Henry of the NLA presents cheque to arranger Cordel Byam
Nexa New Dimensions has copped its second consecutive win at Sunday’s Pan Xpressions competition, receiving a cheque of EC$7000 and the winning trophy.
Following a warm up with Dance by Elimus “Inspector” Gilbert, the Melville Street, Saint George’s based orchestra energetically performed Fantasy by Earth Wind and Fire and emerged winner on 278 points.
The band did “exceptionally well,” expressed arranger Cordel Byam, noting that they practiced diligently, admitting that his selections and arrangements are usually “not easy.
”He shared with The Grenadian Voice that the competition song is among those he listens to on a regular basis and they make me “feel something within my soul” and “that song in particular touches me every time I listen to it.
”Looking to Panorama carded for August 12, Byam noted that Sunday’s “victory is motivation, when you win it gives you more confidence going into another competition.” Therefore, he said the band will continue working hard to do its best at the national competition.
This year New Dimensions is be-ing sponsored by Nexa Credit Union Limited, having been without a sponsor since 2019. “We are really happy to have Nexa on our side. We did make them proud on Sunday and we hope to make them extremely proud for Panorama as well,” Byam stated.
In second place was the Tan-teen-based steel orchestra Republic Bank Angel Harps on 259 points.
The 35 players with 85 instruments performed Greater by Shondell “Dash” Amade as their warm up selection and Could you be Loved by Rob-ert Nester Marley as the competition piece. The band’s arranger is James Clarkson.
The St Paul’s based Co-op Bank Comancheros placed third with 245 points. The 35 players also warmed up with Greater by Dash then per-formed Why I love you by Major, arranged by Andre Greenidge.
In fourth place was Grand Roy Pan Angels on 194 points. The 25 players on 70 pieces of instruments warmed up with The Black Man Feeling to Party by Black Stalin and competed with Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond, arranged by Lincoln “Bosco” Samuel.
Cindy Henry, general manager of National Lotteries Authority (NLA) stated that the statutory body is proud to be the main sponsor of Pan Ex-pressions, understanding the importance of support for events like these, to encourage steelpan music and the showcasing of local talent.
She charged the Association to “be innovative, grow and keep your bands active.
”Senator Claudette Joseph, who rep-resented the Minister of Culture Hon Ron Redhead, reaffirmed government’s commitment to the Grenada Steelband Association through sup-port from the NLA and other entities.
She challenged the Association to “revisit the glory days of the late 1980s and early 1990s when a concerted ef-fort was made to build membership in all steel bands through the teaching of Steelband music in the schools.” The senator also called on the Association to honour the memory of deceased band members with pan music in the schools, adding “we want to see Panorama once more with bands in excess of 100 members.” Hon Joseph stressed that more involvement is necessary as government focuses on building the creative industry, citing that there is a niche for steelpan players in the cruise ship industry.
The judges for the competition were musician Raymond Holman and Stephanie Power from Trinidad and Tobago and Curlan Matthew and Kenrick Harper from Grenada.
Pan Xpressions, organised by the Grenada Steelband Association, re-turns after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was held at the Tanteen netball court, St George’s and included entertainment by Elwin “Black Wizard” McQuilkin, Dash and Juice the Voice
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