Philadelphia Pan Stars Steel Orchestra

Founder and manager – Rondell Pompey

Philadelphia Pan Stars Steel Orchestra played as a “Pan ‘Round De Neck” band until the year 2000 when they transitioned to a full steel orchestra and decided to make a name for themselves, by taking steelband music to the next level with a mixed and diverse ethnic group of professional musicians and a new sound. With sets of 6 bass pans, 7 tenors, 2 double guitars, 1 triple guitar, 2 double tenors, 2 sets of double seconds and a massive rhythm section, Philly Pan Stars became a force to be reckoned with.

Over the years, Philadelphia Pan Stars has performed at numerous official and non-official functions and competitions from 2005 to the present time. The band competed in the Baltimore Steelband Competition, placing 3^rd. It was also third place for the band in 2006 at the Brooklyn Labor Day J’Ouvert Bomb Competition, competing with twenty-three bands.

In 2007, Pan Stars competed in the Philadelphia Carnival and Steelpan competition and gained 1^st place. Also in 2007, the band entered the Baltimore Steelband competition once more and took top honors. They won the D.C. Rhythm Section competition in 2008. Later on that same year, the band repeated victory in the Baltimore Steelband competition, retaining the Carlos Lezama Trophy for two consecutive years. At the Labour Day J’Ouvert Bomb Competition in 2009, Philly Pan Stars placed 2^nd, and 4^th the following year.

Over the years Philadelphia Pan Stars Steel Orchestra competed in the annual New York Panorama several times, and in 2024 placed third. In 2025, the band had its highest placing to date, coming in second working for the second time with arranger Roger Greendige. It is a fitting elevation for the music organization while celebrating its twenty-sixth anniversary.

The music organization has achieved immense success and intends to continue to do so while demonstrating and maintaining a high level in its performance at events and competitions.

AKA Philly Pan Starz

• 2024 Tune of choice:  “Inventor”  |   arranger:  Roger Greendige
• 2023 Tune of choice:  “Engine Room”  |   arranger:  Amrit Samaroo
• 2019 - Yohan Popwell
• 2018 - Yohan Popwell
• 2017 - Yohan Popwell
• 2016 - Patrick Davis