Countdown to New York Steel Band Panorama 2005

 

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A Conference with
Clive Bradley, Pelham Goddard,
and Yohan Popwell

New York - Whenever you bring the likes of a Pelham Goddard and Clive Bradley together you're certain to get wit, charm, humor, honesty and loads of information.  These two steelband music arranging giants met at the When Steel Talks facility for our annual New York pre-panorama 'Meet the Arrangers Chit-Chat'.

This year, joining Mr. Goddard and Mr. Bradley, is Mr. Yohan Popwell, a noted arranger in his own right.  Mr. Popwell is currently the arranger for the 2004 New York Steelband Panorama champions Pan Sonatas steel orchestra and Trinidad medium band panorama champion Sforzata steel orchestra.

Mr. Goddard, in addition to his long list of accomplishments is the current World Steelband Music Festival (WSMF 2005) champion arranger for the world-renowned Exodus steel orchestra.  And Mr. Bradley added the title of Pan In The 21st Century champion arranger with the legendary Desperadoes steel orchestra to his ever-growing list of music achievements and accolades.

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This was my lucky day...
(A Conference with
Clive Bradley, Pelham Goddard,
and Yohan Popwell)

New York - This was my lucky day.  On Thursday the 26^th of August I was one of two guests who sat in on an interview organized, hosted and moderated by When Steel Talks of three steel pan luminaries: Clive Bradley, Pelham Goddard, and Yohan Popwell. Pelham Goddard and Clive Bradley came representing the very experienced and established school of pan arranging while Yohan Popwell represented the younger and up and coming generation of pan arrangers.  The lack of pretense on the part of the arrangers was very refreshing, especially coming from men who have established themselves in terms of winning various Panorama competitions, a competition now held in different parts of the world.  Mr. Bradley, Mr. Goddard, and Mr. Popwell were willing participants and offered their insight and knowledge in a forthcoming way.  It was a treat to hear what these men had to say on anything and everything that had to do with the steel pan.  From what I can recall, I’m going to focus on the tidbits of information offered by these arrangers that I found useful, especially for anyone who is interested in playing pan and or running a steel pan ensemble.

Countdown to New York Steel Band Panorama 2005i

New York - Rarely can the past, present and future converge to a single point; however - such is the case in the New York steelband music culture, experience and history.  The steelpan is the only music instrument invented in this century and it has bridged the generation gap.  It has found a comfortable home in both the young hip-hop and I-pod generation, and the generation of the past.  Indeed, it is not uncommon to find three generations from the same family together in an ensemble or orchestra.

On any given day you can find music educators from the world's finest institutions observing and studying these urban steelpan masters executing their craft. They are busy creating in broad daylight what will be future music masterpieces that will become legend, and will foster debate and conversation for the ages.

Countdown to New York Steel Band Panorama 2005i

Champions Sonatas Capture Their
Music for the Ages

New York - The 2005 New York Summer steel band season offered some of the best steel band music in the North American region.  Leading the pack this year is current steelband panorama champion Sonatas Steel Orchestra. Their arranger is Yohan Popwell.  In an effort to capture and preserve this beautiful music Sonatas secured the services of  Basement Recordings for the task of capturing their performance.  Basement Recordings is recognized through out the industry as the leading organization for the recordings of steelpan music.

Countdown to New York Steel Band Panorama 2005i

2004 Champions Sonatas ready to defend "From Beyond" 
 

New York - The mighty Sonatas will defend their championship against the large field of New York contenders.  Armed with skilled players, great instruments and a winning arranger Sonatas looks to repeat their winning ways in 2005.  Their arranger is Yohan Popwell.  Their tune of choice is "From Beyond" by de Fosto.

Countdown to New York Steel Band Panorama 2005i

D'Radoes ready to woo them with "Darling"
 

New York - D'Radoes is a collection of cagey veterans who know what time it is.  When they put things together they are a very dangerous bunch that can literally run away with the whole shebang.   They can be Desperadoes up North for any given moment.  Their arranger is Clive Bradley.  Their tune of choice is "Darling" by Johnny King.

Countdown to New York Steel Band Panorama 2005i

CASYM Set To Go "WILD"
Eye On The Prize
 

New York - CASYM is a professional organization with one objective -  capturing the New York steel band music panorama 2005 title.  Under the musical direction of their arranger Arddin Herbert the group will be ready and focused for the task at hand.  Their tune of choice is "Trini Gone Wild" by Len "Boogsie" Sharpe.

Countdown to New York Steel Band Panorama 2005

New York - Sonatas Steel Orchestra held what was easily one of the best attended steelband music launches of the summer.    The hundreds of enthusiastic attendees were treated to some of the finest steelpan music in the US.   In addition to Sonatas, also performing were Marsicans and Harmony Steel Orchestras.

Panoridim pleases at Panfest 2005

By C Danielle McNish Observer writer

Jamaica - The UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra opened Panfest 2005 Friday evening at the Philip Sherlock Centre for the Creative Arts with a collage of music presented in three suites and ranging from hymns and classical pieces to pop, salsa and dancehall.

The festival, titled 'Music Is.', features no more than 20 pannists at a time showcasing the versatility of an instrument largely associated with Trinidad Carnival and elements of that celebration like Panorama and J'Ouvert (Mud Mas).

SAYSO gets 'jiggy' with pan worship

by Zahra I. Airall


Antigua - “Phenomenal!” That was the description of last Friday’s “Glorifying God on Pan” concert. Much to the delight of their audience, the St. Andrew’s Youth Steel Orchestra (SAYSO) delivered a performance, which prompted an encore to be held at a later date.

Opening with their reverend and sombre first half, the orchestra took their listeners on a traditional path with favourite hymns such as All We Like Sheep, The Entertainer, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desire, and Ave Maria.

Lending his famous vocals to the orchestra, Rudolph Davis, with SAYSO, gave a nerve shattering rendition of In Your Hands which left the audience breathless


 

1. Diamond Steel		439
2. Babonneau Super Star		427
3. North Stars		406
4. Pantimes		398
5. Pan Exodus International		346.5
Full Results and Pictures

Camp developing steel pan musicians

Barbados - Developing well-rounded steel pan musicians is the intention of the Central Bank of Barbados and the Barbados Steel Pan Teachers Association Pan in the Plaza Camp.

The camp, which started in 2002, has been doing just that as the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) which has offered technical and financial assistance over the years, has started to use groups and soloists who have gone through the camp such as noted musician Dwain Gill at their events. And, the NCF is embarking on a new initiative for steel pan that is school based and is drawing on the camp in order to achieve this.

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 Patrick Arnold:
Nowhere for Panorama
 if Grand Stand goes
By ROBIN MORAIS

Trinidad - PAN TRINBAGO president Patrick Arnold has said he has no idea where the Panorama competition will be staged if the Grand Stand is demolished before Carnival 2006.

Arnold was responding to Prime Minister Manning’s announcement last weekend that the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah was to be demolished, and a cultural centre be constructed in its place.

"I’ve been hearing about that over the years," said Arnold, "but I don’t have a clue for any such plan for the 2006 Carnival celebrations. I guess we’ll have to wait to see what will take place next year."

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Antigua's 2005 Panorama Champions
GEMONITES Steel Orchestra
and winning Arranger ROBIN MARGETSON
In the Spotlight
 

 Antigua - Robin Margetson sometimes wears three hats in one of the premier steel orchestras in Antigua & Barbuda.  To date this year the busy musician/professional has fulfilled duties as arranger, vice-captain and one of two musical directors for Gemonites Steel Orchestra, the other being Patrick Johnson.  With a complement of seventy-six musicians, Gemonites won Antigua's 2005 National Panorama competition which was held on July 28^th.

2005 Laventille Steelband Festival
A Pictorial Review
 

Trinidad -  A pictorial review of one the worlds most vibrant steelband community festival.

Notting Hill Panorama 2005
Champions of Steel competition
 

Pan In Panama Day Parade
New York Style
 

New York -  In temperatures close to 100 degrees the Steelpan people of Pantonic Steel Orchestra joined the annual Panamanian Parade and Festival held in Brooklyn, New York.  The event was hosted by the Organization of  Progressive Panamanians, Inc.  Pantonic Steel Orchestra offered a special New York blend to the parade as did the local politicians who participated in the event.

Steel drum festival
 

Grenada - NCB Angel Harps Steel Orchestra last Saturday returned to winners row with an emphatic victory at the National Panorama Championships held at the Tanteen Netball Courts.

Playing a James Clarkson composition and arrangement of “B Flat Melody” the Harps scored a total of 273 points, beating last year’s winners River Road Pan Wizards into second place with Commancheros placing third and Florida All Stars fourth.

 

1. ANGEL HARPS		273
2. PAN WIZARDS......		266
3. COMMANCHEROS		241
4. ALLSTARS		220
Full Results

New York - The Cornell Steel Bands sustain a reputation of “Ivy League” excellence while being among the most exciting performance groups on campus and throughout the Central New York region.

WIADCA / Brooklyn Museum host
Pre- Labor Day Carnival Exposé
Pan Night and Day
Sonatas,  Pantonic, Women In Steel, and Sesame Flyers
 

New York - Anytime heavyweights like Sonatas Steel Orchestra the 2004 NY champions, and Pantonic Steel Orchestra former three-time consecutive-champions come together, it is going to be an interesting event.  This time the place was in front of New York's famous historical landmark the Brooklyn Museum, and it was part of an event produced by WIADCA (West Indian American Day Carnival Association) in conjunction with the Brooklyn Museum.  WIADCA is the organizer and promoter of the Caribbean parade and carnival activities for the New York Labor Day weekend.  Rounding out the line up for the evening were Women In Steel and Sesame Flyers.  WIADCA also announced its events' schedules for the 2005 carnival weekend.  The large crowd that was present clearly enjoyed itself.

Oscar Pile Remembers
Laventille Steelband Festival 2005 Honoree

 (Trinidad) - PAN PIONEER Oscar Pile said he never thought he would have lived to see the steel pan reach where it has today.

At age 82, Pile fondly referred to as Bogart, said he was happy to have witnessed the strides the pan and the people who play the national musical instrument have made.

"Pan has more places to go in the future," declared the legendary steelband leader.

He reminisced about Pan Am North Star's interpretation of "Voices of Spring" and Casablanca's rendition of "1812 Overture," and said "I could not imagine pan playing songs like these - classical songs."

Pile added that on his travels to the United Kingdom and the United States of America, he witnessed the responses of the people to the steelpan and from his estimation they appreciate the instrument.

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New York - Get the latest news and developments on all issues related to the upcoming New York Steelband Panorama.

Grenada - One of Grenada's leading furniture and appliance stores, Courts Grenada Ltd., has renewed its contract with the Melville Street-based, steel orchestra, New Dimension.

The official renewal of the sponsorship contract of $50,000 was announced last Thursday at the company's main office on Young Street, St. George's. "We are extremely proud to be able to further strengthen our partnership with New Dimension through another three-year sponsorship contract", said Managing Director of Courts Steve Brickell at the signing ceremony.

 

1. Gemonites ................		269
2. Halcyon ....................		255
3. Hells Gate ................		242.5
Full Results

Antigua - The Panorama competition made up in quality what it may have lacked in quantity. The winners Gemonites scaled heights believed by many to be unmatched since the halcyon (no pun intended) days of the 70s and 80s, and must surely have sent a message to the Trinidadian judges, that there's a legitimate contender knocking on the door of the long established, international "home of pan.".

New Dimension Steel Orchestra
In the Spotlight -
David 'Peck' Edwards
 on Grenada and Pan

Grenada - The Grenada powerhouse, New Dimension, has been around for seventeen years, and with David 'Peck' Edwards as both leader and arranger,  the strides the band has made have been impressive.  Edwards spoke recently with When Steel Talks about New Dimension, their history, the pan movement in Grenada, the future of New Dimension, and shared a bit about himself.

Pan Go coming to Morris
Penultimate show in city’s summer concert series

Illinois - The second-to last city-sponsored concert of the summer will feature the Pan Go Steel Band.

Chicago’s all-star steel band will play from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 4, in front of the Grundy County Courthouse.

Formed in 1988 by Paul G. Ross, the Pan Go Steel Band is considered by many to be the pre-eminent steel band in the Midwest.

Members are some of the elite percussionists in the Chicago area, including Joe Sonnefeldt, single tenor pan, featured soloists; Kevin Jocius, single tenor pan; Mark Smith, double tenor pans, featured soloist; Lana Wordel, double second pans; Steven Flowers, triple cello pans; Glenn Donaldson, electric bass; and Paul G. Ross, drums and arranger.

Countdown to New York Steel Band Panorama 2005