Pan Fan Extremely Disappointed with Pan Trinbago’s 2009 Steelband Panorama Changes

This year’s music festival was the limit, I thought, of my disappointment with the management, creativity and initiative of Pan Trinbago.  Now, having recently learned about the new arrangements for this year’s activities only deepened my disillusionment with this body.  Why separate the finals and alienate the medium bands?  What is the organization saying?  That only the large bands are worthy of the final night accolades on Carnival Saturday? Is that because the “big wigs” have vested interests which they need to protect?

I agreed with the small and traditional bands sharing one final night because it was/is cost effective. But how cost-effective (for all - including the regular visitors/media houses) can such a venture be for the other two categories?  What about the vendors?  What about the students and working players who will have to make the trip to South [Trinidad] for medium band finals in the middle of the week (if my information is correct)?  Further more, I am from San Fernando, South Trinidad, and it’s already a pain to get supporters out of their homes whenever Skiffle or Fonclaire, etc. has an event that is free.  Apart from Pan Glow - are there realistically any other medium bands that exist in south, and if not - how do we convince interest groups to pay and support?  Are we going to perform for a complimentary crowd as usual (VIPs and their guests?) and the participating bands?

Mr. Cook, I have a lot more to discuss about these arrangements but time nor space does not readily permit me.

The general consensus is though that Pan Trinbago, as always, is a disappointment unto its own.

I. McLeod

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Related story from Trinidad Newsday - Panorama split-up — Three separate semi-finals

This letter represents the views of Mr. I. McLeod, and does not necessarily represent those of When Steel Talks