Blog 2.0

The Preliminary round for the Conventional Steel Orchestras for Pan Is Beautiful II, were held on October 19th & 20th respectively, at the Queens Park Savannah, Trinidad.

There were 14 entrants, of which 8 qualified for the finals that is scheduled to be held at The Jean Pierre Complex on November 16th.

The Codrinton Pan Family topped the field with 522 marks, They performed, "The Pan with Love our gift to the World" a composition of father and son, Cary and Khari.

Tropical Angel Harps with Clarence Morris' composition, arrangement and conducting of "Voices in my Head" followed with 514 points.

Invaders ran 3rd performing "Zampa Overture" under the direction and arrangement of Mr. Arddin Herbert.

Defending Champion Exodus was 4th with 512 points. They paid tribute to the late Dr. Pat Bishop's concept who wanted to honour the music of the late, Cecil Hume, better known as Maestro. The piece entitled, "Moods of the Maestro" was composed & arranged by Mr Pelham Goddard.     

Renegades' 511 marks placed 5th with "Academic Festival Overture" under the arrangement and direction of Mr. Desmond Waithe.

Couva Joylanders' 507 points ran 6th under Mr. Ben Jackson's conducting of "The Lord of the Rings."

Diatonic Steel Orchestra and Pan Elders the babies amid the adults placed 7th and 8th respectively.

Diatonic scored 496 marks performing "Symphony #4" and Pan Elders' "The Barber of the Seville" under Mrs. Maureen Clement's direction scored 494 marks.

The prize monies in thousands will be 250, 220, 200, 180, and 100 each for places 5th through 8th.

Another "baby" San City Symphony, and Cordettes Steel Orchestras received tremendous response from the "sparse" audience. However, the human ear and detail to scores are not connected. 

Thanks Pan Trinbago and we all hope that "more" things are being put into place to ensure a large turn out for the finals. The audience will be treated to greater performances on November 16th ,2013. 

This is the latest recording I've done, check it out its called Breezin...Click to viewI want to thank all the friends and fans for the encouragement and kind words... subscribe to my youtube channel for more music..

Congratulations to the Highlanders Steel Orchestra Foundation for spearheading and accomplishing their goal of renaming a popular Road in honour of Pan Icon, Pannist, Arranger, Tuner and Innovator   the late MR. BERTIE MARSHALL.

Old St. Joseph Road, named over 200 years ago which runs East in Success Village, Laventille was renamed on October 17th 2013,       BERTIE MARSHALL BOULEVARD.                                                      

I am aware that a Boulevard is used for a large roadway, so I asked a member of the foundation why they used Boulevard instead of Road. "The street may be small but Bertie Marshall was large" (lol)  

This was quite an accomplishment by the Highlanders Steel Orchestra Foundation since Mr. Marshall passed on one year ago to date.         .

Mr. Keith Diaz gave a passionate speech which included information that John Public may or may not have known about ownership of pan patents and income in billions which is generated from carnival over the last 3 years. 

I was told by another member of the foundation that this scheduled street name unveiling ceremony was sent out to Pan Trinbago, who in turn informed the various Steel Orchestras.                                     However, I saw only one representative of a major Steel Orchestra which was Mr. Errol Serrette from Phase II. This was very disappointing to me, so I called a member of Desperadoes' committee asking if he knew about the unveiling, but his answer was NO.

Thanks were extended to the Government of Trinidad & Tobago by H.S.O.F. and various councilor, minister and parliament members for aiding in bringing this to fruition.

Mr. Hamlet "Yatsie" Joseph, an original member of Highlanders was asked to give the vote of thanks speech. However, he used his time to to convey a 21st century approach for the uplifting of highlanders and pan at large, but did not reach receptive ears.

I felt sorry that the audience were not in the mood for progressive ideas. I later told him if we in the pan world do not change from tradition to innovation we will be stuck in the quagmire.

Some of the audience said his speech was not appropriate at this occasion.  Mr. Joseph said "we are in serious trouble in this country."

My personal kudos to Mr. Robert Hernandez, secretary of H.S.O.F. for not taking NO for an answer and not accepting William Street.

The 12th Pan Royale concert at QRC grounds commenced promptly at 7:pm on October 12th, 2013. I am indeed impress that a scheduled start time for a "pan show" came to fruition. (lol)

After the playing of our National Anthem, Renegades Steel Orchestra were introduced, and they started off with their 2006 tune of choice at Pan in the 21st Century, "All Night Long"<> Next was a Reggae piece with Duvonne Stewart expatiating his soloing skills on an E-Pan. "Pant O Mine" and "Steelband Times" followed. A religious piece entitled, "The Prayer" was accompanied with a male & female operatic voice under the conducting of Mr. Desmond Whaite. Renegades ended their session backing up the singer of, "Kick in the Back Door."

The second Steel Orchestra was Desperadoes, and they commenced with "Masquerade" a Keith Salcedo arrangement. The band with Mr. Carlton Zanda's arrangements, backed up Singing Sandra with "Voices from the Ghetto and "Die with my Dignity." {I wonder if those two selections were from a higher calling} "Autumn Leaves" & "Pan in A Minor" were then performed in the jazz genre; both were arranged by Mr. Eddie Quarless. Desperadoes then performed excerpts from "Orpheus in the Underworld" in the classical genre. The band concluded with the second most popular winning panorama piece, which is their most popular piece, "Rebecca" (lol)

All Stars were the third Steel Orchestra to entertain us. Their repertoire of mixed genres were, "El Dorado"<>"Whiter Shade of Pale"<>"This is the Moment"<>"Time to say Goodbye"<>"The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" and their finale was "Morning Noon and Night" under the direction of Ms. June Nathaniel.

The last Steel Orchestra was Phase II with their arranger/soloist, Len "Boogsie" Sharpe. Some of their repertoire featured various other instruments, they were, "Forward Home"<>"Moon River"<>'Blurred Lines"<>"Rose"<>"Carnival Tabanca"<>"On Green Dolphin Street" and "More Love" {A mantra we must foster to get back our beloved Trinidad & Tobago}

We were entertained by the QRC Steel Orchestra under the direction of the young Mr. (oh boy I misplaced his name) as we entered the QRC compound. {Can someone mention his name}

This is my first Pan Royale concert and I do not know how the artistes are chosen. We all know that the four Steel Orchestras for this year have been in winners row 32 out the 50 years of panorama finals. Thanks again to the promoters of the Pan Royale October Concerts.

Love, Peace and Pan.

To Glenroy Joseph

Hi Glenroy

I am looking for 2 tunes by Blakie (i) This Is Carnival and (ii) The Riddle. Do you know where I can obtain

tim.augustin@hotmail.com

Joel Augustin

On Saturday October 5th 2013, Pan Trinbago presented part of its first leg of Pan Is Beautiful XII. Preliminaries for half of the Soloists and the Ensembles Categories were held at the Queens Park Savannah. The other half will continue on October 6th at 5:00 pm.

The competition commenced at 6:20 pm after the playing of our National Anthem and opening remarks. Out of the 16 scheduled soloists, only 11 performed, and 5 of the 6 Ensembles. There was a lot of beautiful pan, but only a few beautiful guests, a little over 50.