Congratulations to Halcyon Steel Orchestra for receiving the Institutional National Honor in Antigua and Barbuda. The Halcyon Steel Orchestra has served the Antigua and Barbuda tourist industry with high distinction. They entertained thousands of tourists on tourist boats and also in hotels. They are synonymous with Sherly Heights, a magnetic venue for tourists and local patrons. The Halcyon Steel Orchestra performed in many countries promoting Antigua and Barbuda. Halcyon took scores of idling youngsters off the street and taught them to play the steel pan. So far, Halcyon won panorama championships thirteen times.
The Halcyon Steel Orchestra holds the record for winning the panorama championships four consecutive times in Antigua and Barbuda. For example, they won the panorama in 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995. Victor ‘Babu’ Samuel of Antigua and Barbuda arranged the four consecutive winning panorama tunes. Other notable arrangers that arranged for Halcyon steel Orchestra were Gerald ‘Belly’ Charles of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr, Len ‘Boogsie’ Sharpe of Trinidad and Tobago, Devon Bachelor, Fitzroy ‘Blakey’ Phillips, Curtis ‘CC’ Cochrane of Antigua and Barbuda.
Politician Selvyn Walter of Antigua and Barbuda was the founder of the Halcyon Steel orchestra. After Halcyon Steel Orchestra was formed in 1971, Dr. Eric Williams of Trinidad and Tobago engineered Sponsorship for Halcyon. He successfully convinced YDelima to Sponsor Halcyon Steel Orchestra. As the years progressed, Halcyon received sponsorship from various businesses. Some of the businesses were LIAT, Corn Producing Service, Hadeed companies, Antigua Masonry Products, and Bryson’s Digicel. In 1971, pan tuner Norman of Trinidad and Tobago made the band’s pans. Soon After, former Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Dr. Baldwin Spencer became the manager of Halcyon Steel Orchestra. James ‘Tanny’ Rose, Melvin Simon, Walton Theodore, Mr. Dublin, and the Kirby brothers are some of the many persons that served the Halcyon Steel Orchestra very well.
Comments