Global - The nippy night breeze was warmed by the fiery performances laid down by eleven steel orchestras as they vied for the 2013 title of Panorama champs in the small conventional steel orchestra category at Skinner’s Park in San Fernando, South Trinidad on February 7. The bands took the stage after their counterparts in the Single Pan band leg of competition - seventeen in all - completed their finals round.
The musical spotlight was first cast upon Fascinators Pan Symphony around 11:35 p.m. as they delivered their tune of choice, “Tell Dem,” as arranged by Daryl Reid. The band led off what was to be a colorful parade of steel orchestras with eagle eyes on the top prize of TT $400,000.00.
One such was Golden Hands Steel Orchestra in position six. Synonymous with the name of their selection, “Gold,” the band dazzled with players clad in white topped off with gold hats, and bass players anchoring on gold pans beneath canopies adorned with gold net leaves waving gently in the evening breeze. From Golden Hands’ gold and white to East Trinidad-based Tamana Pioneers’ gold and black it was, delivering another arrangement of “Gold,” this time arranged by Andre White.
Three bands opted for “Gold” as tune of choice, the third being Supernovas. However the brilliant glint of “gold” did not daunt the spirit of other bands such as Codrington Pan Family which was prepared for all comers as they took their shot at the title with “She Ready.” The orchestra gave the crowd a complete package inclusive of dancers who at one point snaked through the steel orchestra.
It was early Friday morning - 3:06 a.m. when the final band, Merrytones Steel Orchestra capped off what turned out to be more than seven hours of steel band performances. Still none would break the iron grip of Arima Golden Symphony led by Terrance “BJ” Marcelle - a hold that they have now kept for five consecutive years on the crown in the small steel orchestra arena: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013. To say the band and its players were jubilant would be an understatement.
Coming in second and third and leaving with TT $350,000.00 and TT $300,000.00, respectively, were Laventille Serenaders and Supernovas. Fourth–, fifth– and sixth–placing bands received TT $250,000.00, TT $200,000.00 and TT $150,000.00 - in that order. Bands placing seventh through eleventh were awarded TT $100,000.00 each.
Full results are below.
Results - Score |
BAND | Selections | Arrangers |
1st - 278 | Arima Golden Symphony | “We Come Out to Play” |
Terrance “BJ” Marcelle |
2nd - 277 | Laventille Serenaders | “Hammer Time” |
Arddin Herbert |
3rd - 275 | Supernovas | “Gold” |
Amrit Samaroo |
4th - 274 | Codrington Pan Family | “She Ready” |
Cary Codrington |
5th - 268 | Tamana Pioneers | “Gold” |
André White |
5th - 268 | Tornadoes | “Not a Pan Tune” |
Shervon “Shev” Edwards |
7th - 265 | Cocorite West Wind | “I Music” | E. Raymond |
8th - 264 | Fascinators Pan Symphony | “Tell Dem” | Daryl Reid |
9th - 263 | Golden Hands | “Gold (1976)” |
Vanessa Headley |
10th - 260 | Merry Tones | “Champions” |
Richard Gittens |
11th - 258 | Old Tech Steel Orchestra | “Shock Attack” | Sean Ramsey |