Rules & Regulations
This competition is open to steelpan musicians internationally, regardless of time zone/country and is designed to feature soloists, duos, quartets and ensembles using any instrument in the steelpan family. The ensemble category must use a minimum of six to a maximum of eight musicians, which may also include percussion instruments.
N.B. Acoustic steelpan instruments only.
All musicians desirous of participating must register with International Pan Ramajay via e-mail: internationalpanramajay@gmail.com by closing date Sunday 23rd May, 2021 at 6 p.m. AST (Atlantic Standard Time).
Musicians may enter any and/or all categories. However, musicians
may only enter various categories once.
i.e. One musician may enter a MAXIMUM of four categories: ONLY, as a
soloist, part of a duo, part of a quartet and part of an ensemble
Registration is free.
Recording Dates - All Categories
| Preliminary | Semi Final | Final |
| Saturday 29th May 2021 | Saturday June 12th 2021 | Saturday June 26th 2021 |
| Sunday 30th May 2021 |
Recording will begin at 10 a.m. AST; accommodations will be made for musicians in various time zones that are severely affected.
Song Selections - All Categories
Preliminary
Soloists, duos and quartets will perform one song from a list of five songs.
(Refer attached)
Ensembles are free to select any song of their choice, which must not include any of the listed songs from the above three categories.
Semi Final
Soloists, duos and quartets will perform one song from a list of ten
songs, which will include five new songs and the original five offered in
the preliminary. (Refer attached)
Ensembles may retain the song selection from their preliminary performance or may change to a new song if they so wish. However, song selections must not include any of the listed songs from the above three categories.
Final
Soloists, duos and quartets will perform one song from a list of ten songs,
which will include five new songs and five from semi final; excluding the
original five from the preliminary. (Refer attached)
Ensembles may retain the song selection from their preliminary performance or may change to a new song if they so wish. However, song selections must not include any of the listed songs from the above three categories.
For the soloist, duo and quartet categories the producers will make the musical selection via a private live feed.
Accompaniment tracks and lead sheets for soloists, duos and quartets for use in the preliminary and semi final stages, will be provided by the producers by Thursday 1st April 2021 @ 6 p.m. AST and to other musicians that register by the deadline date Sunday 23rd May 2021 @ 6 p.m. AST. Musicians will perform for the duration of the track. The track for soloists will not exceed four minutes and the track for duos and quartets will not exceed five minutes.
Accompaniment tracks and lead sheets for the final stage of competition will be provided by the producers by Saturday 1st May 2021 @ 6 p.m. AST and to other musicians that register by the deadline date Sunday 23rd May 2021 @6 p.m. AST. The track for soloists will not exceed four minutes and the track for duos and quartets will not exceed five minutes.
The ensemble category will perform without the use of accompaniment tracks. Steelpan and percussion instruments will be the only instruments that can be used for their performances.
Recording - All Categories
ALL musicians in the soloist, duo and quartet categories are required to improvise.
For the musicians in the ensemble category a minimum of four musicians must improvise.
All categories will record via a private live feed and will submit their primary video which should be taken from the front for adjudication and must be recorded horizontally.
Soloists and duos will submit one primary video.
Quartets and ensembles will submit three videos; one primary and two supplementary videos recorded from the left and right side.
Video submissions are due within thirty minutes after the performance via wetransfer.com to internationalpanramajay@gmail.com
N.B. The quality of audio and video may impact the adjudication and therefore participants are encouraged to ensure that their recordings are of a high quality. (See recording attachment)
Airing Dates - All Categories
| Preliminary | Semi Final | Final |
| Saturday 12th June 2021 – 8 p.m. AST | Saturday 26th June, 2021 – 8 p.m. AST | Saturday 10th July 2021 – 8 p.m. AST |
| Sunday 13th June 2021 – 6 p.m. AST |
All performances will be aired via Facebook and YouTube @ Internationalpanramajay
From the preliminary stage 20 soloists, 10 duos, 10 quartets and 10
ensembles will advance to the semi-final. Based on the
number of entrants, this may be revised.
From the semi final stage 10 soloists, 5 duos, 5 quartets and 5 ensembles
will advance to the final.
Adjudication:
- A panel of four judges shall adjudicate throughout the competition.
- The judges’ decision is final.
Scoring Rubric:
- Main Body
Verse, Chorus - 10
-
Creativity/Improvisation
Melodic/Motivic Development - 35
Harmonic/Rhythmic Embellishment - 35
Technicality - 10
-
Performance
Tonal Quality - 10
Main Body:
Verse, Chorus - The musician’s ability to play the melody with appropriate
rhythmic interpretation and articulation, using rolls and strikes when
suitable, and demonstrating a clear knowledge of the form.
Creativity/Improvisation:
The musician's ability to manipulate the melody and harmony of the original
piece and the ability to improvise through:
Melodic Development - Creating melodic lines based on fragments of the melody and chord progressions.
Motivic Development - Creating and developing musical ideas based on the motifs.
Harmonic Embellishment - Use of musical lines which go beyond the original harmony of the given piece: i.e. chord substitutions, alterations.
Rhythmic Embellishment - Creating musical phrases which have rhythmic interests.
Technicality - The musician’s ability to execute and showcase virtuosity in the music.
Performance:
Tonal Quality - The musician’s ability to perform on the
instrument with sensitivity.
Prizes for Finals (USD)
| Soloists | Duos | Quartets | Ensembles | |
| 1st | $4,000 | $5,000 | $5,000 | $6,000 |
| 2nd | $3,000 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $5,000 |
| 3rd | $2,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 | $4,000 |
| 4th | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 5th | $1,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 | $2,000 |
| 6th | $1,000 | |||
| 7th - 10th | $750 |
N.B. If applicable, Trinidad and Tobago Residents will receive equivalent prize money in TT$.
Discipline:
- Musicians are required to observe the procedures as laid down by the
producers.
- Musicians in the soloist, duo and quartet categories will be
participating in their individual capacities and not as a part of an
ensemble/band.
- Musicians in the ensemble category may participate in their
individual capacities or as a part of an established band/organization.
- The producers shall not be liable for any action that may arise
because of their inability to commence and/or conclude any stage of this
project arising FORCE MAJEURE and shall reserve the right to decide on
any alternative or resolution tony situation or condition that may
arise.
- FORCE MAJEURE means an event or effect that cannot be reasonably
anticipated or controlled- compared to an ACT OF GOD.
- These Rules shall be construed according to the laws of the Republic
of Trinidad and Tobago.
- On any matter in relation to the competition in respect of which
these Rules are silent, the producers shall have the power to make
decisions thereon and any decision of the producers made in those
circumstances shall be final and binding.
Musical Selections
| PRELIMINARY | |
| NEW |
Woman is Boss – Len “Boogsie”
Sharpe We Kinda Music – Andy Narell Human Nature – Michael Jackson, Steve Porcaro, John Bettis Brigas Nunca Mais – Jobim/deMoraes Autumn Leaves – Kosma/Mercer |
| SEMI FINAL | |
| PREVIOUSLY USED | Woman is Boss – Len
“Boogsie” Sharpe We Kinda Music – Andy Narell Human Nature – Michael Jackson, Steve Porcaro, John Bettis Brigas Nunca Mais – Jobim/deMoraes Autumn Leaves – Kosma/Mercer |
| NEW | Pan on the Move – Ray Holman Black Orpheus (Manha de Carnaval) – Luis Bonfa Brown Skin Girl – Beyoncé, Saint Jhn, Wizkid Yardbird Suite – Charlie Parker Claudia – Chucho Valdés |
| FINAL | |
| PREVIOUSLY USED | Pan on the Move – Ray Holman Black Orpheus (Manha de Carnaval) – Luis Bonfa Brown Skin Girl – Beyoncé, Saint Jhn, Wizkid Yardbird Suite – Charlie Parker Claudia – Chucho Valdés |
| NEW | Full of Vibes – Marge Blackman and Voice Make Sure You Sure – Stevie Wonder On Green Dolphin Street – Kaper/Washington Viva Cepeda – Cal Tjader Fantasy – Earth Wind and Fire |
Leave a comment in the WST forum
When Steel Talks News