(An international
educational piece) A When Steel Talks
Exclusive
Crash
landed, put out, not their
season, ‘robbed’, ‘humbled’, disturbed
or committed suicide; whichever the
thought, description or
reality…Renegades’ spirit battles with
its Panorama fatality in the wake of the
lethal bomb dropped on the competition
semi-finals’ night. In its wake,
shrapnel and dust to take toll, while,
Pan Trinbago apologized and promised
better conditions from 2012…and life
continues!
The old adage: “Be
careful what you wish for”, the title of
one of the 2011 Calypso Monarch winner’s
renditions; did Renegades ‘wish’ for bad
when they dabbled in “…deadly, lethal
and fatal? Were we ready but voluntarily
walked into an open line of fire, or?
Mindful that a
competition Finals is owed to no one,
the fact remains, the band came to
compete to expectation, not to compete
against any dilatory tactics, or
simultaneous music.
At a particular time of
a particular night, in rapt attention,
supporters, enemies, critics,
aficionados – worldwide – and fellow
competitors were locked into the strains
of perfect harmony, that a few hours
following, beliefs, perceptions, facts
and fictions, all made imperfect
harmony, as tongues wagged, trying to
decipher what really caused the band in
front East Dry River, Port of Spain, to
experience its first, real Panorama
failure for over two decades…resulting
in a legal battle; an ‘indictment’
against the world governing body for
Pan?
In retrospect, it was on
February 20th, when Pan
Trinbago proudly hosted their first
Carnival 2011 savannah showing of pan
greats called the semi-finals rounds,
when five adjudicators set out to look
for a serial killer – disturbance or no
disturbance.
‘Who we think will
destroy this place tonight?’ ‘Lethal
weapons and murders already on an
all-time high; we don’t want any of that
in our ‘party’; nothing to mash up this
Savannah except “Advantage”.
A serial killer, another
“Buffalo Bill” on the loose – Renegades!
As if to revisit “The Silence of the
Lamb”, where “Buffalo Bill” will
slaughter his victims whose “bodies will
eventually turn up floating in the
river.”….nine musical bodies of
slaughtered Panorama victims to be found
floating in the East Dry River, maybe,
should they make it to finals?
Mash up indeed, as with
high miscibility, the combination:
Renegades and “their Panorama tune, How
we coming”, was a musical combustion and
detonator. Pan lovers that evening, from
Memorial Park, to the “greens” to the
Stands, went crazy. Local and foreign
expert musicians and world renowned
adjudicators as well, even former
Panorama judges, echoing similar
thoughts on the well-orchestrated,
well-thought-out and executed
composition. Bemused…how in the name of
peace, did the in-house adjudicators
interpret and weigh the various works
that night?
Doing their personal
adjudicating, from the Grand, North
Stands and television, respectively,
apart from the laid-down criteria (of
which they are familiar), they took into
account the performance errors, and the
flaws of the arrangements within the
simplistic works and compared them to
those similarly heard within Renegades’
intricate work, measuring against the
adverse effect of their involuntary
lengthy delay and the unauthorized
musical intervention. They drew
comparisons, reaching an impressive
score.
So powerful is the
priceless antique – sixty-three year
old, nine-time Panorama champs, only
band to win a hat-trick and only band
where its junior band, historically,
wears the crown for two hat-tricks. A
band feared, a band to
be reckoned with, a band continuously
watched and scrutinized from all
quarters of the globe with eagle eye –
Renegades!
With that artillery
load, the possibility exists where, at
any cost, it’s time to ‘take them down!’
Take in front, before in
front take us! Judges are powerful
beings. They can lead you anywhere.
Perusing the performance
remarks, I pondered: how can five astute
experts reach such different concepts of
the same composition all using the same
laid-down criteria? My best guess is
that it all boils down to environmental
conditions, interpretation, preferences,
where the mind was at the given moment.
Conflicting remarks raised concerns:
■Just when “some work” was said to be
needed to ‘motivic’ development”, it is
“good use of motifs.” ■“V. Good
development of melodic fragment.”
“Perhaps more use of melodic fragments
could have been made.” ■“a pretty short
intro.” “Quite an appropriate
introduction.” ■”Need some more work on
the actual engine room…”, “The engine
room was well explored to add to the
excitement of your interpretation.”
Explanations sought!
Many viewed Renegades as
“sore losers” and “sour grapes”, but in
recognizing Respect in its entirety, the
burning question lingers: Who were those
treacherous patrons at the savannah?
Renegades’ recourse:
As cited in the
newspaper, the plea is: “Pan Trinbago
failed to ensure that any competing
sounds were silenced or sufficiently
silenced before or while the orchestra
was performing.” This prompted a series
of fruitless discussions with Pan
Trinbago, fueling an injunction that
also proved fruitless, seeing Judge
Maureen Rajnauth-Lee throwing out the
plea on the eve of Panorama finals.
Beyond a reasonable
doubt – a reality:
To win any legal battle,
especially on technicalities, speaks to
acquiring the appropriate representation
and providing substantiating evidence
beyond a reasonable doubt, but the
battle continues.
Pan Trinbago’s
Justifications, Reasons, Excuses, Plans:
In “Renegades stay out”,
March 5, 2011, Jada Loutoo reports on
Pan Trinbago’s vice president, Bryon
Serrette: “…this year since the erection
of the North and Grand Stands were still
a work in progress up to the
semi-finals, there were security issues
and although persons were not allowed to
enter the venue with equipment, some
managed to sneak in.”
“On the night of
semi-finals, persons playing music were
asked to stop playing when they saw a
band approach the stage, but as the
night drew on they appeared to have
disregarded those instructions.”
“This has happened for
the first time and it will not happen
again. Stringent measures will be put in
place so we do not have the situation
next year.”
Cited in March 14th
Newsday’s “Pan Trinbago reviews
DJs”: “Over time we allowed certain
things to happen. Next year we want to
ensure no unwanted persons would be
allowed to enter the venue. The only DJ
that is supposed to be at the venue is
the DJ to play the *selection of the
bands.” said Pan Trinbago’s secretary,
Richard Forteau. (*the bands’
selections)
“We have a product and
people have grown accustomed to enjoying
themselves in a certain way. But it is a
steel pan competition and we want
patrons to appreciate this. While we
want them to enjoy themselves, we also
do not want them to impede on the
competition.”
Being interviewed on
CNMG’s First Up, early-morning talk show
on March 23rd, president
Keith Diaz claimed to be “not one
hundred percent happy with how ‘things’
went at the Savannah for Panorama” when
questioned about how he felt with
regards “a band or some bands’ ”
unhappiness over disturbances during
their performance.“Panorama is a big
lime and all over the world, people
saying they are coming
to Trinidad to Panorama….that’s where
the lime is. What should we do…change
the lime?”
Out of bad cometh
good:
Having viewed the
experience open-mindedly and
objectively, I realize that there is a
bright, educational panscape that awaits
the world. Respective stakeholders have
taken stock of many areas that were
either taken for granted or escaped
them. The Renegades dilemma actually
evolved into a school of behavioural
science causing people to look at
themselves and how they do things.
Stakeholders realize there is dire need
to improve upon social, professional and
strategic practices. The court matter,
which is still on the way, ought to
prove a most empowering tool.
Taking all the negative
fallouts into account, in an attempt to
help all and sundry, internationally,
who are paining, disappointed, angry,
grieving or wishing ill, to move forward
stronger and positively, the following
are provided.
Renegades…getting
over the hump (Reflection and
Motivation):
1)
From a natural standpoint: As
similar to the earth’s rotation on its
axis – daylight, twilight, night and
dawn are experienced. Some parts of the
universe, however, experience longer
daylights than other parts.
Education…in
life, everyone and everything
experiences similar and so to, does
Renegades.
The band is proud to
apprise of its daylight days. It has
experienced twilight having now moved to
night. With proper self-actualization,
proper planning and good structure,
daylight will be quickly seen on the
horizon.
2)
The heart line: As similar to the
heart line; levels or situations in life
fluctuate up and down, and so will
Renegades. It signifies being alive.
Education …the
eagle: Before soaring higher it descends
to gain momentum for upward mobility,
and the indicators that validate a dead
state, whether from a high or low point,
are complacency and remaining at one
level…stagnation.
3)
Failure, humiliation, embarrassment
or pain: These ills are deliberately
designed to help generate renewed
strength and power. We need to tap in to
our willpower.
Education …out of
pain, failure, humiliation or
embarrassment, comes grit and strength,
and that lack of willpower or its
presence determines whether we will fail
or accomplish our desires and ambitions
and attain success. It is imperative to
take care of our well-being.
4)
Selflessness and appreciation:
Integral lessons coming out of the
Renegades dilemma were the power and
advantages of being selfless and
appreciative…thank God for the mercies
he bestowed upon us, and wish the
finalists well.
Education …it
takes a big and powerful mind to live
and let live. Allow others to enjoy,
even if it’s once, the pleasure of
victory. Think clean thoughts and say
nice words for there are great rewards
to follow.
5)
Moving forward - Closure:
True champions stand up for their
Rights, but usually take the bitter with
the sweet once thought to be well
justified. Renegades hosted a beautiful
Panorama Finals lime at the yard and
enjoyed the show, with a view, to bring
closure to and acceptance of its
position.
The band has done its
post mortem with findings to be worked
on.
Education…..Members
were motivated and guided upon some key
principles to dealing with success,
failure and readying self for returned
success these, to be built upon.
Pan Trinbago:
1)
Competition: “Competition
impacts on economic, well-being and
social life”. There are times when we
host, engage and/or participate in
competitions without a clue as to how it
impacts life or relationships with
others….sacrifices and compromises are
made.
Extracted from “On
Competition and Well-Being (October
2006)”:
Education …
“There are several reasons why it is
important to investigate the
relationship between competition and
well-being. Well-being and happiness are
undoubtedly central goals in human life.
“Beyond direct consequences of
competition on well-being there are
potentially also derived consequences.
As argued by Bowles (1998), the
experience of competition may have an
effect on people’s social values. More
specifically, interacting under
competition may change people’s
disposition towards others and, in
particular, towards those individuals
they have encountered in the interaction
(and may meet again in the future).”
2)
Guidance and motivation: It is
big, it is nice, and always helps to
accept good guidance and motivation.
Six weeks following
Panorama semi-finals – February 20th,
2011 – Renegades and others, worldwide,
are still reeling from something that
could have been avoided, given better
management for which, your organization
has publicly apologized. We have taken
note!
Not only did Renegades
experience a wrath, but also did the
National Carnival Committee, innocently.
As caregivers to the
artform, it is imperative that we make
concerted efforts to right the wrongs
and continue functioning on a right
path, no matter the event.
We know it is hard work,
it is challenging, but whereby, every
steelband will not qualify to a higher
round of the competition, we must be
mindful to not have any non-competing
physical or human aspect of the venue be
viewed as a contributor to a
competitor’s disquiet or failure.
The competition is
undoubtedly, one of the best musical
events in the world. We want it to grow
from strength to strength, and produce
as many champions as possible, but
Renegades comes with its share of mental
and psychological strains, being
cognizant of its position as
record-holder of second highest first
place wins and only hat-trick champs. As
such, you are hereby urged, as president
of the World’s Governing Body for Pan,
to ensure your support system ‘has your
back’ in everything that is done, as
lack of control or proper management
serves a heavy blow to reputation, brand
and legacy.
If they care, they will
respect! So too will patrons.
As cited in Raffique
Shah’s piece “Thanks for the Panorama
music” February 27, 2011, Guardian
with reference to the respect or lack
there-of DJs have for pan: “They (DJs)
“are pushing them off the road, now they
are pushing them off the stage.”
While, Theodore Guerra
argued before Her Worship Maureen
Jagnauth-Lee on Renegades’ behalf saying
…“even Pan Trinbago admitted there was
bedlam and chaos in the Savannah for the
semis.”
These are comments that
must never be repeated as long as pan
competitions exist. We feel confident
that you are capable!
Professionalism and
Accountability: Panorama is a huge
costly event and as such, a high level
of professionalism and accountability
should be practiced – at all times. I
offer the following simple but effective
proposal that will aid in avoiding
tarnishing of reputation and brand.
Proposal… All
bands performing at the savannah for
Panorama competitions should sign a
contract with Pan Trinbago to ensure
conditions are conducive. Pan Trinbago
should post their conditions in the
media – local, and international
websites; at panyards and entrances to
the savannah. Content and design of
forms to be worked on for 2012.
Comic relief:
Just when I thought I
couldn’t find a spare funny bone in my
body after Panorama semi-finals, there
it was. Something must give…
F’eau pax after f’eau
pax presented themselves on television
from Carnival Saturday pertaining to
Renegades. I laughed heartily! Not that
the situations were actually humourous,
but they were extremely ludicrous. I
said wow, maybe it’s not Renegades’
year; look how the Creator sends
messages!
- Children’s
Carnival, Carnival Saturday, Queens
Park Savannah:
Between 3 – 3:45pm with
broadcast on Channel 4, beautiful bands
and then alas…a “micro, mini band” the
announcer said – “Harps of the harp,
a tribute to bp Renegades”. I said well,
this is interesting; at least the
community cares, but just as the junior
masqueraders were making their
appearance on stage, in the wink of an
eye, an advertisement began which, upon
completion, with returned coverage, the
presentation had gone.
- Children’s
Carnival, Carnival Saturday, Queens
Park Savannah:
D’Midas’ Carnival is
Colour presented a section “Bees
Melody”. Quite impressive! Somehow the
television presenter remembered
Kitchener (deceased) to be the
calpysonian, but failed miserably to
recall the band that heated up the
Savannah Panorama 1992 – Amoco (at the
time) Renegades.
Even more hilarious and
ridiculous – Silver Stars Steel
Orchestra delivered a sterling rendition
of “Showtime” which was somewhat speedy
as the television presenters recognized,
but amazing as it were, they were
discussing the rate of play and claimed
that Silver Stars introduced speed in
Panorama.
Hilarious, as they were
devoid of Renegades having impressed the
world with its flawless execution of
intricate and speedy Panorama tunes.
Winners nine times!
Two presenters – during
their television coverage – included in
their discussions, the issue of
Renegades when the band was making its
way on stage. In trying to ascertain
what the hoorah was all about that
spurred a filed injunction, evidently,
not quite conceptualizing its basis,
they commented: “…all bands experienced
music being played in between renditions
during Panorama Semis.” It remains
sketchy what they meant.
Four critical tips:
- Whether it
points to reputation, brand or
competition, “when you lose, and you
will lose, make sure you don’t lose
the lesson!” – Dr. Rhadi Ferguson
PhD
- Practice
makes perfect…if you practice it
perfectly
- Listen
- Respect
In looking forward:
Pan Trinbago – I look
forward to your new and improved plans
and healthier partnerships 2012 and
beyond.
True Winners:
Renegades –.true winners
understand the power of success and the
power of failure; dust self off and come
again……bigger and better!
In appreciation:
Renegades says thanks to its sponsor,
arranger, tuner/s, supporters, critics
and well-wishers.
In closing: We
reflect on best practices, respect,
decision-making, strength and moving
forward.
Leave
comments in
the
WST Forum
