Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Two evenings this past weekend were host to exemplary Pan performances in final round competition in the soloist, ensemble and single pan band categories of Pan Is Beautiful XII. It began with a dual triumph for the musicians of San Fernando-based Golden Hands Steel Orchestra on Friday November 8. As winners in the ensemble category, it was double the delight when Joshua Jabari Bedeau, a player from within their own ranks, also topped the soloist class. Eight Soloists and six Ensembles faced off in the finals. Sunday belonged to the victorious Marsicans Single Pan Band in its grouping as it left its eight challengers in the dust. Both events unfolded at NAPA (National Academy for the Performing Arts) in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.
Taking the stage in position number seven, best-playing soloist Joshua Jabari Bedeau earned the top spot (280 points) for his performance of “Call Me Hero” while Golden Hands the Ensemble amassed 542 points for their renditions, “Respect the Calypsonian” and “Earth Song.” The winning selections were adapted by the band’s leader Vanessa Alexandra Headley.
First up in her category for the evening, Keisha Codrington who went into the final phase of the soloists’ competition in top position was relegated to second with 278 points, followed by her brother Khari Codrington in third spot with a score of 267.
The first three places in the Solo category received TT$10,000.00, TT$8,000.00 and TT$7,000.00 while the first three in the Ensemble category were awarded TT$100,000.00, TT$75,000.00 and TT$65,000.00, respectively. Judges in the Soloist category were Dr. Anne Marion Osborne, Michelle Huggins-Watts, Mia Gormandy and Joslynne Sealey - while, relative to the Ensembles, Lambert Phillip, Joslynne Sealey, Merle Albino-De Coteau and Michelle Huggins-Watts adjudicated.
The complete list of Soloist results is as follows:-
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The results in the Ensemble Category are:
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When the Single Pan Bands graced the stage on Sunday, eventual winners Marsicans accrued seventeen points more than runners-up Uni Stars. The Arima-based Marsicans took the title with the highest score of 555 points for their execution of “Black Man Feelin’ to Party” and “Donkey Kong Country 2,” along with their TT$90,000.00 first prize and bragging rights. The band also amassed the top score (281) for their test piece. Led by Cindy Rosemin, Marsicans was conducted by Marlon White with adaptations by Frank Alleyne & White.
Second-placed Uni Stars’ total score was 538 points and earned them the second prize of TT$80,000.00. They performed a Kareem Brown-composition “Tempest,” for their tune of choice which was adjudged best overall in that category. The band is captained by Avis Bruce and situated at the corner of McAllister Street & Old St. Joseph Road, Success Village in Laventille. D’Original Woodbrook Modernaires ran third with 532 points. The Woodbrook-based aggregation performed “The Eleventh Hour” composed and adapted by Arddin Herbert who also conducted the band.
Nine single pan bands in total took to the stage in a keenly contested event. Unlike the soloist, ensemble and orchestra groupings, there were no preliminaries in this category.
‘Single Pan Band’ for the purpose of this competition, was defined as any combination of panists not exceeding 25 players. Each band was required to play the test piece “Black Man Feelin’ To Party” composed and sung by Dr. Leroy Calliste aka The Black Stalin along with a Tune of Choice. Total playing time was not to exceed fourteen minutes. Lambert Phillip, Joslynne Sealey, Michelle Huggins-Watts and Joanna Short served as adjudicators.
Final Single Pan Band results are as follows:-
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Finals for the Orchestra category come off at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain on Saturday 16 November 2013, at 7:00 pm. Tickets cost TT$200.00 and TT$250.00. The National Steelband Music Festival Pan Is Beautiful XII is under the patronage of the president of Trinidad and Tobago, His Excellency Anthony Carmona.
In addition to the competition aspect of the Pan Is Beautiful XII series, Pan Trinbago has earmarked Friday 15 November 2013 as a Workshop for all music conductors. Venue is Theatre One, UTT (University of Trinidad and Tobago), Knox Street, Port-of-Spain, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The theme is “The Maestro At Work.” Facilitator is internationally acclaimed conductor, adjudicator, lecturer and consultant for instrumental music education, Dr. Ronnie Wooten. Registration at Pan Trinbago is required as there are limited workshop spaces.
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