Trinidad Newsday
After several weeks of nightly practising, one band will be crowned Champion Steelband of the World when the inaugural International Panorama competition comes off this Sunday at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.
Panyards throughout Trinidad and Tobago have been buzzing with activities as bands prepare for the competition.
“Pan on the Rise” is the brain child of Pan Trinbago in collaboration with International Conference and Panorama (ICP) and the competition will feature the 12 top bands from TT, based on 2015 Panorama results, against 12 steelbands from North America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean.
Each band in the competition will consist of a maximum of 60 players and a minimum of 40 hereby levelling the playing field.
Several of TT’s large bands feel that they are now at a disadvantage having to come down to half their normal size, while others are just in their comfort zone.
All participating steelbands must have a minimum of 75 per cent of citizens of their registered country and may select and perform any calypso or soca song of their choice.
Most of the foreign bands have already arrived and several more steelband yards will have activities as all foreign bands will be twinned with Trinidad and Tobago steelbands that are not competing in the International Panorama.
This is to facilitate the use of pans that are similar to theirs and pannists will therefore have the ability to undertake practice sessions in preparation for the competition.
Lead Pipe and Saddis’ Carnival Hit “Ah Feeling” will be played three times by two foreign bands and one local.
The foreign bands their tune of choice, and Trinidad location are as follows: USA: Pan Coalition of Maine “Outta D Box” (Starlift), New York; Brooklyn Steel Orchestra “Ah Feeling” (Skiffle Steel), Mosaic Steel Orchestra of Virginia “Pan in A Rage” (Sangre Grande Cordettes).
Canada: Pan Fantasy “Lucy” (Couva Joylanders), Salah’s Steelpan Academy “Outta D Box”, (Sfozarta).
England: Ebony Steelband “Ah Feeling” (Valley Harps).
France: Calypsociation Steel Orchestra “Prophet of Pan” (Pamberi).Japan: Panorama Steel Orchestra “Rise of the Phoenix” (Pandemonium).
Jamaica: UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra “Ten Commandments of Pan” (UWI Creative Arts Centre, Birdsong Instruments).
St Lucia: Pantime Steel Orchestra “Aunty Pam” (Melodians).
St Martin: The Gunslingers Steelband “Pan Revival” (Southern Marines).
St Vincent and the Grenadines: Starlift Steel Orchestra “Teaser” (Arima Angel Harps).
The 12 local bands and their tune of choice are Arima Golden Symphony “Ah Feeling” bp Renegades “Like ah Boss), Scherzando “Bassman), Massy Trinidad All Stars “Curry Tabanca”, Steel Xplosion “Thunder”, NLCB Buccooneers “Gold” Pan Elders “Party Time”, PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars “Edwin’s Legacy”, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove “Woman on the Bass”, Republic Bank Exodus “D Puna Band”, Supernovas “Dr. Samaroo” and T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps “Pan For Beethoven”.
Here are some snapshots of the international bands competition in Sunday’s International Panroma competition at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.
Ebony Steelband- UK Ebony Steel Band of London was formed in 1969 and is Europe’s leading steelband with a record 19 UK National Panorama titles including a nine-succession winning streak. A few notable performances include the Football World Cup Opening Ceremony in Germany, the opening of the Cricket World Cup, Cannes Film Festival, a special performance for the Royal Family of Morocco and the World Steel Band festivals previously held in Trinidad.
The band has evolved into a Trust and serves the communities of inner London cities and provides framework classes, workshops, targeted community events and performances. For this effort the band was awarded the Queen’s award in 2005 for its services to the community.
The band’s director is Augustine Pepe Francis, MBE The manager is Albert Faustine and the captain is Anesha Carbon.
Gunslingers Steel Orchestra- St Martin The Gunslinger Steelband was established in 1954 by Frederick Walwin. Other founders were John Benjamin, Emile Hodge Edwin Charbonnier and Rodolphe Proctor. In its early years, the band practised at secluded locations to avoid the complaints of residents in the town. As the years progressed, the band and its music grew in popularity and today the band performs at many distinguished events across the country.
Mosaic Steel Orchestra - Virginia, USA More than a name, the Mosaic Steel Orchestra is a montage of generations, ethnicities and races. The ensemble’s repertoire is a melange that exemplifies the versatility of the steelpan. The orchestra’s set list also includes classical, jazz, Afro-Cuban, and American popular pieces which creates the steelband’s broad appeal.
Members have also performed in the New York Steelband Panorama with Sesame Flyers International Steel Orchestra.
Pan Fantasy - Ontario Canada Pan Fantasy steel band has a membership of 100 musicians and 35 core group planning playing members. The band provides musical entertainment for many community events, musical concert, fundraisers parades, community workshops and weddings. Some of the Major accomplishments of which the band is proud are its acquisition of the 2014, 2013 and 2012 Pan Alive Steelpan title and the 2013 People’s First Choice Award in the New York Panorama Competition.
Pan Fantasy was one of the first steel bands to ever play at the Festival POW Wow on Wikweemikong Unseeded Indian Reserve.
Panorama Steel Orchestra - Japan The Panorama Steel Orchestra was formed in 1998 and comprises professional and amateur musicians from Japan.
From its genesis, the band has consistently played the original compositions of the band’s leader, Yoshihiro Harada and prides itself in its delivery of positive musical messages to the world.
Although the band plays selections from a variety of genres including op, and Latin music, the band is known for its Japanese music that is expressed through improvisation, the band’s sound is characterised by its softness and passionate intensity. Since its CD debut in 2004, PSO has released four original albums and has also appeared in large festivals such as Fuji Rock and Asagiri Jam.
Starlift Steel Orchestra, St Vincent and the Grenadines Starlift Steel Orchestra was established in 1967 by five Steelpan pioneers from Old Montrose, St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Forty-eight years later its operational base and panyard remain rooted in the Montrose area.
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