Web Posted - Friday December 26, 2025
The Journal Gazette/Associated Press

Trinidad and Tobago’s steelpan makes a comeback as a new generation embraces its sound

 A percussion instrument created in Trinidad and Tobago in 1939 is experiencing a revival as a new generation embraces its vibrant sound

A steelpan player performs during a national band competition in Port of Spain, Trinidad. The instrument’s bright sound is attracting new fans at a rapid pace. Women are also now allowed to play the “pan.”

Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The steelpan, a percussion instrument created in Trinidad and Tobago in 1939, is making a comeback as a new generation embraces its bright, melodious sound on stage and on the dance floor.

Fans say new technology has made the steelpan more accessible – and affordable – and a growing number of schools in the twin-island nation are introducing students to its bell-like chime.

....“That has been changing rapidly,” said Amrit Samaroo, son of Jit Samaroo, a legendary steelpan music arranger, player and composer.

The steelpan – or pan, for short – is “sexy again,” he told The Associated Press on a recent afternoon as he sat in the living room of his family’s home surrounded by a piano, a tenor steelpan and photos of his late father.

Amrit Samaroo, who leads the popular Trinidad and Tobago Supernovas Steel Orchestra, has witnessed the demographic change firsthand. He notes that social media is embracing the instrument, with fans playing everything from pop songs to reggae on steelpans.
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Web Posted - Friday December 26, 2025
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Pan Trinbago defends steelpan’s value as NGC withdraws sponsorship

NGC chairman Gerald Ramdeen

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago has pushed back against comments by National Gas Company (NGC) chairman Gerald Ramdeen, saying his remarks undervalue the social, cultural and economic contributions of steelbands and mischaracterise corporate sponsorship as being outside the remit of responsible state enterprise operations.

In a statement issued in response to Ramdeen’s comments, the national organisation representing steelbands said it recognises that state enterprises must operate responsibly and in the best interest of the people, but argued that cultural investment is a core element of corporate social responsibility, not an optional gesture.

Pan Trinbago expressed particular concern over NGC’s decision to withdraw sponsorship simultaneously from three steelbands and from the organisation itself...

....In response to questions from Newsday, Ramdeen said the company was not a charity.
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Web Posted - Friday December 26, 2025
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Grief as Deltones captain Caesar dies

November performance: George Caesar, captain, conductor and drill master of Siparia Deltones, conducting his band at Fonclaire Steel Orchestra pan theatre, Dottin Street, San Fernando, during a performance last month. Caesar died yesterday

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The steelband fraternity was plunged into mourning yesterday with the passing of beloved band captain of the Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra George Caesar. The band announced his passing via social media.

A post on Facebook read, “With heavy hearts, the management of Siparia Deltones regrets to announce the passing of our dearly beloved Band Captain, Conductor and Drill Master, Mr. George Caesar, who departed this life this morning, December 26, 2025.

....Caesar was also associated with WHYFARM (We Help Youth Farm), a non-profit organisation based in T&T, seeking to motivate and educate youths in the field of agriculture as a response to global food security challenges.
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Web Posted - Wednesday December 24, 2025
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Citing short notice on move to Skinner Park: Some north schools opt out of Schools’ Panorama 2026

A St. Margaret’s Boys Anglican Primary School player keeps his focus during the 2024 National School’s Panorama at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Some north schools have opted out of the 2026 Schools’ Panorama over the short notice given about hosting the event at Skinner Park, Todd Street, San Fernando.

Newsday understands eight-ten schools have withdrawn from the competition.

The participants, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the issue was not with going to the southern venue but rather the timeframe given to do so as well as the day on which the event is scheduled to be held (January 19).
see more

Web Posted - Wednesday December 24, 2025
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Stakeholders slam 5-year delay for steelpan coat of arms: Upset over pan ‘disrespect’

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago, the world governing body for the steelpan, has expressed its “deep disappointment” over the government’s decision to extend the use of the former coat of arms until January 2, 2031.

The decision, contained in Legal Notice No. 468, has been condemned by the opposition as secretive, unnecessary, and politically motivated.

In a news release on December 23, Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said the delay contradicts the spirit of unity shown earlier this year when the House of Representatives moved to replace the three ships.
see more

Web Posted - Monday December 22, 2025
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Calls for TTEC New East Side to be disqualified from small band finals

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Calls have been made for the disqualification of TTEC New East Side Dimension following the December 20 Panorama small conventional band semifinal, after the Tobago-based steelband was unable to perform in its drawn position of number five.

The band eventually performed in position number 19 after experiencing significant travel and accommodation challenges, arranger Kersh Ramsey told Newsday on December 21.
see more

Web Posted - Sunday December 21, 2025
When Steel Talks

Results - Small Steel Orchestra Semi-Finals - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2026

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - So, sixteen steel orchestras have been ‘invited’ to the final musical ‘dance’ that is the Panorama finals in the Small conventional category. After hours of intense competition on Saturday December 20, 2025 - remaining bands had to ‘call it a season’ as they were outshone, musically, by fellow competitors who are now this season’s finalists. Southern Stars Steel Orchestra (D’ South Band) is currently perched at the top with its presentation of ‘Let Us Build A Nation Together’ arranged by Duvone Stewart.
see full results

Web Posted -- Saturday December 20, 2025
When Steel Talks

Eruption Steel Orchestra’s 3^rd Annual Christmas Concert - A Joy to the World, Heart and Soul

Eruption Steel Orchestra performs at its Joy to the World 2025 Christmas concert

Brooklyn, New York, USA - A nippy night, but one just suited to the season - Christmas, that is. The occasion was Eruption Steel Orchestra’s 3rd Annual Winter Concert & Fundraiser, and on the agenda were the sounds of steel courtesy the hosts themselves, the music organization Eruption Steel Orchestra, with invited performing artists Despers USA Steel Orchestra, Phoenix Steel Orchestra, and the Victory Music & Dance Company. The musical card included both Christmas classics and popular fare for the enjoyment of all.
see more

Web Posted --- Tuesday December 16, 2025
When Steel Talks

Semi-Finals: Order of Appearance for SMALL Steel Orchestras - Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama 2026

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Thirty-one small steel orchestras compete in the semi-finals of their category in the Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2026. The event unfolds at its customary venue of Victoria Square North in Port-of-Spain on Saturday December 20, 2025. Scheduled start time is 4:00 p.m. AST (Atlantic Standard Time) per event organizer Pan Trinbago.
see order of appearance

Web Posted - Monday December 15, 2025
 TTT Limited Media Network

National Panorama 2026: 31 Small Conventional Bands Advance To Saturday’s Semi-Finals

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force will open the National Panorama 2026 Small Conventional Bands Semi-Final at Victoria Square on Saturday, December 20^th.

Pan Trinbago held the draw for playing positions at the VIP Lounge of the Queen’s Park Savannah on Monday. After one week of judging in panyards across the country, 31 steelbands advanced to the semi-finals.

Reigning joint champions Golden Hands and T&TEC New East Side Dimension will play in positions 20 and 16, respectively.
see more

Web Posted - Sunday December 7, 2025
When Steel Talks

NORTH Region Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Preliminaries 2026 - Panyard Judging - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The last nights of preliminary competition for small steel orchestras feature bands in the North region. On Friday and Saturday December 12–13 nine are expected to participate in this category of the 2026 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama.

Roadblock Steel Orchestra is first on the performance card on Friday beginning 7:00 p.m. AST. The second and final night of preliminary competition features four bands, with Tokyo Steel Orchestra listed as the final competitor to face judges in their panyard. Event organizer is Pan Trinbago.
see judging schedule

Web Posted - Friday December 5, 2025
When Steel Talks

UTT APA ‘Pan Ascension’ – Steelpan Concert 2025 at NAPA

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) as The Academy for the Performing Arts (APA) presented PAN ASCENSION on Friday 5 December, 2025. Venue was Theatre 1, on the UTT Campus at NAPA (National Academy for the Performing Arts) on Keate Street, Port-of-Spain. The special evening celebrated the power, artistry, and evolution of steelpan music, and featured talented performers from UTT’s Academy for the Performing Arts. The interface was courtesy Tisha of ‘I am living my life.’
see concert

Web Posted - Thursday December 4, 2025
When Steel Talks

TOBAGO Region Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Preliminaries 2026 - Panyard Judging - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The small steel orchestras proudly representing the sister isle of Tobago are up next in the preliminaries of the 2026 season in the Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama. Unfolding over the nights of Wednesday December 10 and Thursday December 11, eight bands in total are expected to appear before judges performing in their respective panyards.
see judging schedule

Web Posted - Wednesday December 3, 2025
When Steel Talks

SOUTH-CENTRAL Region Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Preliminaries 2026 - Panyard Judging - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The second set of steel orchestras in the small conventional category, of the 2026 season of the Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama, features three nights of competitive performances in the preliminary phase. In total there are fifteen participants hailing from South/Central, scheduled to appear from Sunday December 7—Tuesday December 9.
see judging schedule

Web Posted - Tuesday December 2, 2025
When Steel Talks

EAST Region Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Preliminaries 2026 - Panyard Judging - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Small conventional steel orchestras begin their competition for the 2026 season of the Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama, with bands from the Eastern region kicking off preliminary competition. Friday and Saturday December 5-6 are the first two dates on the schedule.
see judging schedule

Web Posted - Sunday November 30, 2025
When Steel Talks

Single Pan Bands - 2026 Finals Results - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama - Another Triumph for San Juan East Side Symphony Steel Orchestra, arranger Duvone Stewart

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The title defenders became the title holders once again, in the annual National Single Pan competition for the 2026 season of the Trinidad and Tobago Panorama. San Juan East Side Symphony triumphed for a second consecutive year when they brought to the stage arranger Duvone Stewart’s vision of ‘Jumbie.’ La Creole Pan Groove led musically by Dejean Cain, and Chord Masters Steel Orchestra returning with André White as arranger - rounded out the top three spots in this year’s musical rumble.
see results

Web Posted -  2025
When Steel Talks

Trinidad and Tobago 2026 Panorama and Carnival Schedule of Events

Global - Trinidad and Tobago Panorama and Carnival Schedule of Events.  Info on the activities for the 2026 steelband music season: dates, times, judging schedules, preliminaries, semi-finals and finals competitions, event venues, and more, as available; data will be updated.
see schedule

When Steel Talks

Facebook got it wrong - Meta World and WST & SteelPan Are Friends Again

Facebook “Likes” sends PanOnTheNet Apology - “We got it wrong”

Metaverse - Facebook got it wrong. About three years ago without warning or reason all WST (When Steel Talks) steelpan-related accounts fell out of favor with the social media giant Facebook now known as Meta and its aligned consortiums (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). Because WST has all of our material hosted on our own shared servers, this ‘tag’ was not incurable or as problematic as it could have been. However, it was annoying to have people seeking critical steelpan music info diverted by Facebook AI (artificial intelligence).
see more

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Technology Giant “Google” Celebrates the steelpan instrument via Google Doodle

Celebrating Steelpan - Illustration by artist Nicholas Huggins

Doodle of steelpan instrument ‘live’ on Google’s web site

Global - On Tuesday July 26, 2022 the steelpan instrument of Trinidad and Tobago is featured and celebrated on the site of technology giant “Google” via the famed Google ‘Doodle.’ The ‘Doodle’ is essentially an illustrative change made to the Google corporate logo “to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists” - and more. The doodle is then seen by users all around the world who access Google’s homepage on that day, and is available thereafter in the doodle archives.

....Trinidad and Tobago-based artist Nicholas Huggins is the creator of the illustrative artwork featured in the doodle, while Etienne Charles is the composer of the accompanying music performed by the legendary steelpan icon Len “Boogsie” Sharpe.
see more