Revolution wanted -- Panorama 2020

by Sharmain Baboolal

#ChroniclesofAPanorama


Revolution wanted.

Six people would hold us hostage throughout the night. We surrendered all our emotions to them. As if they were Gods as they sat like Kings and Queens on thrones. Vanity surpassed the qualities needed for a judge like Solomon was in the Bible. To be wise. Simple.


But he who offers himself to be a judge must be a teacher and a philosopher mostly. For he is,by what was once an esteemed position, someone who influences the direction of a society.


So it is for the Panorama judges. Unable to lead and who are being led by emotions rather than rational thinking. And who cannot, professionally, execute their judgeship to match the quality of the music that is poured out to them.
Even when it is not humanly possible to listen to a Panorama arrangement once and make a sound judgement on what lies therein.


And then listen to at least twelve pieces of music in poor acoustic conditions in most instances.

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In the panyards, if anyone noticed during the Crawl or the Pilgrimage, there is hardly space for the Panorama size bands. Some bands have an acoustic advantage by their locations while others are at a clear disadvantage. Anyone who listens to music will know. But the judges don't complain. They play along the few old stagers and other smart men among them who hold on to the prestige of being a Panorama judge, maybe for the police escort and a free ride in an airconditioned red band maxi, the nicely laid out tables and chairs at the panyard with the crowd behind them as they become the centre of attention. The whole band is playing for them. But a random sampling of the players might turn up not so favourable comments because some talented young people out there are being pushed into a corner like naughty children on the basis of emotions and not necessarily the quality of their work. It's the culture of abuse inherent. Bouffing a child and sending him to a corner with a slap without explaining what he did wrong. Or without teaching him how to improve his behaviour. Rather you give him your opinion even though you cannot set a better example. Or when a child drops a piece of wisdom and you punish him for being brighter than you. You think he is rude. As a judge, you wear the badge of your bias proudly because the by-laws and the rules give you the privilege because you live in TT and seemingly must have a bias. But you don't have the right. You don't have the right to pretend to be qualified and then have that bit of dishonesty overlooked by the managers of the Panorama because that is what Pan Trinbago is, rather than "a governing body" for the steelpan. That has not been thought out. All are complicit. There is a generation who have well placed themselves within the substructure of Pan Trinbago to be able to move on up as the current system of delegates will uphold. There is no room for fresh thought. Not yet.


There are excuses aplenty. But there was a workshop for judges during the past year? Not so? And one would suspect that previous judges who laid a template for Panorama were brought in to reinforce the archaic system and ideas without there being an all-embracing free flow of knowledge and thoughts that includes the wisdom of the children.


These judges need to be fired! Among the pool are people who are compromised and which makes them not worthy of the rank and reverence that comes with the judge title. They are doing nothing to raise the standard and are stifling good talent along the way.


The management of the Steelband movement must be able to harness the infinite resources to move forward. Unless that is achieved emotions will continue to run high.


Most young people will follow trends. If you are setting a bad example, as the judges are..and they know who they are and how they are compromised. When the subculture surges forward they will grab the baton that you are holding on to even after you have run the race and are exhausted.


The entire system needs to be overhauled because these six ..or four people should not be allowed to hold us hostage.

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Replies

  • How NGC La Brea Nightingales get 90. Seems like an outlier.

    • In the medium category prelims the highest score was 93 to Pan Elders. I could be wrong but I’m still trying to figure that one out.

  • REVOLUTION WANTED!!!

    Since I came on THIS FORUM I have been SCREAMING for a PAN STAR from TRINIDAD to take a LEADING ROLE in PERFORMING THE PAN INTERNATIONALLY -- LIKE ANDY NARELL or JONATHAN SCALES!!!

    Since I came on THIS FORUM I have been SCREAMING for SOCA MUSIC that could get GLOBAL AIR PLAY!!!

    Since I came on THIS FORUM I have been DREAMING about THE LOCAL (or EXPAT) PAN PLAYERS making PAN MUSIC that could attract GLOBAL AUDIENCE with MUSIC REVIEWS and SALES and ROYALTIES from around the world.

    I think that I am going to DIE before that happens!!!

    SO: REVOLUTION WANTED -- new perspectives, new players, new approaches have to be put in place to accomplish that OBJECTIVE!!!

    Allyuh want me to go through SHARMAIN'S ARTICLE and compile a list of all the points she made to support her argument: REVOLUTION WANTED?

    Of course, I know better!!! For the 100th time I will say: EVERY SOCIETY EVOLVES at its OWN PACE and TRINIDAD PAN SOCIETY evolves at a CRAWL!!!

    • Why don't you make the move if no one else doing it, no you won't because you can't criticize yourself 

  • Panorama 2020 Large Bands Prelims...for review missing 2 bands.

    In the order of points awarded.

  • WE NEED MORE ACTION THAN REACTION...Where do we START?

    "In the panyards, if anyone noticed during the Crawl or the Pilgrimage, there is hardly space for the Panorama size bands. Some bands have an acoustic advantage by their locations while others are at a clear disadvantage. Anyone who listens to music will know. But the judges don't complain."

     December 2014 DRAFT NOTE TO CABINET PANYARD REGULARIZATION PROJECT

    https://artistscoalition.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/panyard-regula...

  • Please tell me because I was trying to sift the flour  to get a clearer understanding of what was being said, 

    and why she said what she said,, is it about bad judges? is it about bands not being judged fairly? Is it about favoritisms 

    did she think there was bands that should have been placed higher in the standing or something else, 

    please explain..

    thank you

    • I still don't get the point of this article though...

    • Only she can answer that one Miguel...

  • WOW!!! Did I just read WHAT I JUST READ?

    DAMN!!!

    SHARMAIN remedied my FORTY NINERS SUPER BOWL and my SKIFFLE and my SILVER STARS CONCUSSIONS ... ALL with ONE ARTICLE!!!

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