Trinidad & Tobago Guardian
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago vice-president Bryon Serrette yesterday apologised to the public for the late finish to the National Panorama finals, saying the lethargic flow among competing bands and efforts by the stage crew to monitor bands trying to flout the rules led to a 4 am end to the contest. Saturday’s steelpan music contest at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain featured 21 contestants in two categories: medium and large conventional.
But Serrette said they had to be more diligent than usual after they picked up an illegal practice at last Thursday’s Single Pan Band and Small Conventional Bands finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando. He said the stage management team at that event found a finalist band in breach of the rules regarding the number of players. The band, which he did not name reportedly appeared in the small conventional class with a compliment of players over the maximum ceiling the rules allowed.
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Tell them Barbara,
Why are we having this discussion? Did people really complain? Or was this just said to start a discussion?
The only thing that went badly was that presentation. It may have seemed like a good idea but it did not work. But it did not detract that much!
Anyhow, it is only now that you raised it that i remembered the time Panorama ended. What a night! Hours upon hours of sweet pan! When Skiffle played , I said, "sorry everybody this is it!" Then later on came All Stars! Murder! Dat was PAN! Then even later BOOGSIE!
I am a pan enthusiast, living in Jamaica, who went home for Carnival mainly to hear live pan. I don't know if it is because I am pan-starved why I could have taken even another hour of Panorama, as long as the pan music was that exciting. But then, the people around me, Panorama regulars all, all seemed to be as excited and enthused as I was. Nobody, even the oldsters like myself seemed tired or sleepy.
This is pan at its best and no matter whether PanTrinbago is doing a good job or not, Panorama is Panorama.
Pan in a rage! in yuh rukungkatungkung! in yuh pweffen!
Could we not talk about the performances?
Lets not even talk about the judging, because even the judges, by their scores, admit that any of 5 or 6 bands could have won!
On that night mi head swell, mi heart soar!
Dis ting come from my likkle country!
Res a de worl, tek dat!
Panorama is not a Carnegie Hall performance. It's the cultural highlight for pan, worldwide. In a day when Carnival traditions are falling fast in T&T, I'm surprised Pan Trinbago got caught up. It's a new year, let's adopt a more positive attitude to Pan Trinbago. Most of these posts criticize the organization. Is that building up? Have they done anything right? If Panorama is too long for you, do not attend. It's a big hang out with great music. What's the problem? Sure, the bands could be more efficient in going on and off the stage. Maybe they could feature a little entertainment in between. So many talented soloists in the country, give them a break, too. In case you don't know, for many people Carnival ends when Panorama is done. Enjoy it while it lasts!
While the venue at the Queen's Park Savannah may not be comparable to Carnegie Hall, I would like to think that the calibre of music of the pan performances at Panorama are worthy of, and on par with, a Carnegie-Hall performance. We differ immediately.
You state, "It's a big hang out with great music." Without doubt!
But you seem to forget that Panorama is a COMPETITION. Trinidad's Panorama IS the mecca of pan. This is the evening to which the entire pan fraternity (pannists and supporters alike), local and foreign, anticipate and look forward. For these talented pannists and creative arrangers, this night is a culmination of hours of late-night band practises, drills and rehearsals.
It could never be a fair and equal playing field, to have one steel-band perform at 10:00 pm and another at 4:05am the following morning. So, ... it's not merely being critical of the "organization", but someone should be held accountable for the illogical and awful logistics.
Can you imagine Usain Bolt being slated to run at 10:00pm and then have to wait while the relevant "organization" / "committee" honours past athletes before his race?
Listen. Honouring these "awardees" at a different time or day would neither diminish the importance of their past contributions nor disparage their pedestal stature. And obviously, more importantly, would not serve to detract from the performances of any of the steel-bands that made it to the prestigious Panorama Finals.
In case you didn't know, for many of us –– Panorama is Pan!! And we like to enjoy we pan!!
Two things sir.
1 First a question: Do you know what time Boogsie 's band came on? Was it not in the 'wee hours'? And does this not negate your argument.
2. I have seen Usain wait quite a while until a formal ceremony was over and then run a blistering 200m. He like all true professionals, understands that certain things must be done by organisations that plan meets. It is only that he would know of the time he would be running beforehand. Just like when at panorama, you draw number 8 or 9, you know you would not be on for a couple hours! But I agree that the presentation seemed out of place
Mr Serrette, your excuse for an apology is not accepted.
Why are you making this statement. Where is your damned President?
Had the Panorama started promptly at 7pm as it did last year and flowed freely as it did last year it would have been finished as it did last year at a reasonable time, even though there was one band more this year than last year.
How much time was spent on the "honouring" of certain people this year?
As for Sara, Invaders began to play at 10.40 pm. SO how could it be the BIG bands fault for beginning so late?
But have you per chance considered that perhaps, ... just maybe, ... the powers to be were thinking that after band #9 played, the 2014 Panorama would have been over?
Had they been correct, they still would have been wrong ––– It was still too late!!
Here's another idea to put into the mix:
a) Dispense with the large band and medium band distinct categories and create one category of say, 85 - 115 players
b) Judge these bands as one category from preliminaries to finals according to the same points criteria
c) Select the best 28 for the finals
d) Hold the Finals on 2 consecutive nights, Carrnival Friday and Carnival Saturday, with 14 bands, randomly chosen by a draw, for each night. The order of performance for each night is also determined by a draw
e) All 28 bands will be judged by the same panel of judges according to the same points criteria.
f) The winner is the band scoring the most points from among all 28 bands. The winner is announced at the end of the second night.
Reflect on this model above, and think of the possibilities, as well as the downsides, for performers and fans, before throwing it out completely.
Mr. McKell I like your two category idea, but the 115 player limit for the large band is impractical. The manager of Phase II reported that they had 160 players this year fighting for 120 spots. If anything, the limit should be increased to 150 immediately. The small band and single pan competition should be moved another time in the year when they will be more appreciated. It should not be held during the Carnival Season. They are a unwanted distraction and economically unfeasible. From a business standpoint they are a drain on the system. In addition, traditionally large band should be able to send a "small band" side to these competition. This will greatly assist with the marketing of the event and add value to the competition.
bugs
Consider a Large with maybe a minimum of 75 and a max of 100
A Small which should include "Single Pan Bands" with a minimum of 35 and maximum of 60.
The reason for suggesting the consolidation of the latter to include the Single Pan Bands is to encourage improved sound and standards and discourage the several "pick- up" sides who do nothing during the year.
Panorama is a Steelpan competition and Bands must be free to use whatever configuration of instruments they wish.Conventional bands are not restricted in that some use 12- basses/ 9 / 6 or whichever they prefer.some use triple cellos/ quads etc.A conventional Band is not PENALISED/ disqualified if it uses a " Single" pand Second/ Guitar.Why should we restrict any category from using whichever Steelpan instrument they so wish?
Should we have just 2 categories " Large" and " Small" the prize structure can be improved to better reflect what the importance of this magnificent spectacle we call Panorama and the arduous work that our Steelpan Arrangers and Musicians put into it.
Soca Monarch:$2M Chutney Monarch:$2M KAISO Monarch:$1M Basket Ball:$1.5M but 120 Steelpan Musicians with expensive instruments and transport costs/ costuming/ Blends etc etc:$1M
This is irrational.The Mathis do not compute.It can only be brought in line by the reduction of the several categories as the Government would not put more funds into it.
This is also likely/ hopefully discourage musicians " running" around from Band to Band.
Mr.Mc Kell's suggestion of 28 Band Finals and over 2 nights is not practical.The Finals should be limited to 10 Bands in each category and each category must be adjudicated on the same night and same conditions.Franly the Panyard adjudication is not fair to Bands for the same reason.Bands are judged under varying conditions acoustical and otherwise.As far as it is practical all Bands should be judged under similar conditions as happened in past years when all Bands were judged at the Queens Park Savannah.
It is encouraging to note the number of contributors to this discussion and this augurs well for the development of the Steelpan Organisation and for our Musicians.
The first large band started to play after 10 pm. what do you expect.
Final night should be just the large bands.
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