Pan Ossia Steel Orchestra

Pan Ossia was formed in the year 2010 by Robert Cadet, Sr., Robert Cadet, Jr., Burgess McPhie and John Welsh, along with players who came along from Florida All Stars.

The band’s first set of pans were sourced from Learie Harrigin and Gills Pan. Pan Ossia took part in their first Panorama with just 25 players, playing a composition by Burgess McPhie and Robert Cadet, Sr., sung by calypsonian Burgess (“Quako”). They placed second, and the following year- third, then fourth.

The group also competed in the Bomb competition with the tune ‘Pan Expression.’ It was a challenge as their arranger, being based in New York, would do the music for the band over Skype.

Band members have traveled and played with various bands in Trinidad; Sforzata, Siparia Deltones, West Side Symphony and Skiffle. In 2018 they journeyed to New York to play with Pantonic Steel Orchestra, but instead performed with ADLIB Steel Orchestra and Harmony Music Makers.

COVID-19 affected the band in a number of ways, and when it was announced Grenada would be having Panorama in 2022, Pan Ossia made the decision not to compete. In 2023 the band had been very active and made their return with tune of choice Finally by “V’ghn” and arranged by Robert Cadet, Sr.

Bio edited by When Steel Talks

• 2024 Tune of choice:  “Welcome To Spicemas”  |   arranger:  Robert Cadet, Sr.
• 2023 Tune of choice:  “Finally”  |   arranger:  Robert Cadet, Sr.
• 2022 Tune of choice:  “Street Party”  |   arranger:  Robert Cadet, Sr.
• 2021 - No Panorama - COVID 19
• 2020 - No Panorama - COVID 19
• 2019 Tune of choice:  “Gifted”  |   arranger:  Robert K. Cadet
• 2018 Tune of choice:  “Music Man”  |   arranger:  Robert K. Cadet
• 2017 - No Panorama - BOYCOTT - no stage built for competition
• 2013 Tune of choice:  “A Matter of Time”  |   arranger:  Robert Cadet, Sr.