The matter of Casablanca Steel Orchestra not going forward to the semi-final round in the small band category was not only an issue of a couple points short of qualifying. While awaiting their turn to perform, the captain Allyson Poteon was informed by a Pan Trinbago official that the Dj had lost the copy of their tune which had to be played before the band’s performance (the tune of choice is played for all bands competing at every level of Panorama and the scores are given based on arrangement and interpretation of that tune). Efforts to have the Dj retrieve the tune off of a digital device proved futile because the Dj’s USB cable had a short resulting in the inability to have it played for the judges and patrons. In addition, two minutes into their rendition of “Big Mama” composed and arranged by their vice president Michael A Gabriel; the band was stopped via the announcer when Pan Trinbago’s officials realized that one of their judges was in the restroom. A video circulating on facebook shows the effect the interruption had on the players.
This had never happened in the history of panorama save and except when Renegades was stopped because of the noise emanating from the north stand. A written appeal was sent to Pan Trinbago’s head office but to no avail. It is indeed unfortunate that the band should fall to such ill fate after having put in their blood, sweat and tears into their preparations to appear and perform at the preliminary round of the competition.
The questions then arise; why wasn’t the scores of the alternate judge used rather than stop the band in full performance? Failing this, why wasn’t the band afforded the opportunity to proceed to the next round based on the destroyed morale and state of minds the players would have incurred because of the stoppage? Further, (based on the presumption that the judges did not hear the tune of choice) how did the judges score the band if they did not hear the entire tune of choice?
It is also hoped that this does not affect the bands opportunities for sponsorship whereby it may appear the problem was lack of preparation. Some members of the public are of the perception that the band faultered on stage when it was in fact the fault of Pan Trinbago’s officials.
Comments
This is incompetence to the highest level and my band got screwed get your act together shame on you Pantrinbago I am deeply dissapointed with your lack of professionalism
This is incompetence to the highest level shame on you Pantrinbago
@ Sundiata King -- Isn't Pan Trinbago made up of pan men and pan women who were voted into office by the pan community? Isn't this a simple case of pan people mistreating themselves.
bugs
I appreciate everyone's comments so far, but most of all I like the suggestion by my Brother Sundiata King. The position taken by Pan Trinbago is totally unacceptable and should be remedied before Sunday morning.
Thanks again to everyone.
This is terrible disservice to Casablanca and Steelband as a whole in Trinbago.
How could Pan Tribago be quite so inefficient at so many levels? The order of appearance and tunes to be played are known well in advance. There is no excuse for not having the music available. "USB short", my ass!
"Judge not available"? So all the time in between bands that judge couldn't go to the washroom? Further to that, wouldn't it be obvious to simply have an alternate judge carry out the function? Or is an "alternate judge" there just for window-dressing? WHAT?
Casablanca Steel Orchestra is being artistically, spiritually and financially penalized because of the incompetence of some functionary of Pan Trinbago that was running the competition. That will not do. This is the 21st century and such nonsense should not be put up with. Long time ago somebody woulda get a buss head.
I hope all members of the steelband fraternity understand the gravity of this situation and the terrible consequence to Casablanca, one of its formerly ailing now recovering original members.
In more measurable terms it also means that Pan Trinbago through their incompetence is denying Casablanca the monies the band would have garnered for it's next appearance in the Semi-Finals. Pan Trinbago you owe Casablanca a public apology, a personal commiseration visit to the players in their panyard and the appearance money for the Semis. Make good on your commitment to steeband and pay up!
Casablanca should never of been treated in this manner, owing to the fact it is one of the oldest steelbands in the country. Once again Pan Trinbago screwed up, and they still say that they are for the pan community.
It's unfortunate it ended this way, when did the judge go to the restroom, after they started playing?their position could have been changed, so they can get the tune of choice for the patrons and judges to hear.
Unfortunate but not surprised.
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