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New York - History, history, history!  And probably as never before in any steelband music panorama around the world.  History was made in New York with the release of the 2008 New York Panorama results in the early hours of the last day of August.

Colleen White, mother of winning steelband music arranger André White, stood shyly by with people surrounding her, tears of joy streaming down her face as the euphoric celebration erupted on the stage after 1:00 a.m. when the 2008 New York Panorama ended - triumphantly for ADLIB Steel Orchestra which hails from Long Island, New York.  André’s grandmother Maureen White was alternately dancing around and pausing for photographs with ecstatic co-celebrants.
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Trinidad, W.I. - Three persons from the steelpan fraternity have been named as first time ever recipients of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT), this country’s highest national award which was renamed after the controversy surrounding the original name of the Trinity Cross.

The three are Bertram “Bertie” Lloyd Marshall, Anthony Williams and Professor Brian Copeland, who are being recognised for their outstanding contribution towards development of the instrument.

Pan tuning pioneer Bertie Marshall said he was happy that the art form was being given the highest recognition possible, in the country that should be known as the inventor of the steelpan.
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Trinidad, W.I. - At 77 years old, pan genius Anthony Williams created history once again, when on Friday he became the first person to be inducted into the Steelband Hall of Fame. Tonight he will receive the country's newest, highest award-the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago-at the National Awards ceremony at President's House, St Ann's.

Addressing the audience at the Courtyard Marriott on Friday evening, President George Maxwell Richards, described Williams' induction as a "a welcome development", saying that "it could not happen to a nicer person".

"It is a well deserved award for the years of toiling in the vineyard," said Richards.
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Trinidad, W.I. - Last Saturday evening, T&T introduced its National Steel Symphony Orchestra (NSSO) to the rest of the Caribbean as part of Carifesta X celebrations in Guyana. And what an introduction it was.

From the first note to the last, that evening’s performance, held at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown, was testimony to the dexterity of the orchestra’s pannists and the versatility of their instrument, the G-pan.

Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Marlene McDonald, who spoke before the performance, introduced the G-pan as “the end result of (an) evolutionary process,” and noted that the orchestra’s use of the instrument would “highlight the collective spirit of innovation inherent in our people.”

Her confidence in the musical excellence of the orchestra was well placed. Led by music director Jessel Murray, the orchestra carried the audience on a musical journey that spanned eras and hemispheres.
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Trinidad, W.I. - The gala event is carded for this evening at the Courtyard Marriott, Invader’s Bay, Audrey Jeffers Highway, at 7.30 pm.

Pan Trinbago’s Research and Development Officer, Melville Bryan noted, “The rationale behind the inauguration of the Hall of Fame lies in the fact that there has been little recognition of the achievements of our cultural and in particular steelband contributors of note.

“Pan Trinbago has decided to have the Hall of Fame so that there be always sight and appreciation of the achievements of those like Anthony Williams.”

Bryan continued, “Mr Anthony ‘Muffman’ Williams stands out as one of the foremost inventors and innovators at a global level eg the Fourths and Fifths. The Low C Tenor Pan is a musical instrument in use in every country in the world. Mr Anthony Williams is the innovator of this particular instrument.”
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London, England  - A junior steel band competition is mired in controversy over allegations of cheating.

An emergency meeting will be called later this week by the British Association of Steel Bands (BAS) after it emerged that one of the four bands participating, Ebony may have had players over the age of 18.

The competition took place on August 11 with prize money of £500, £300 and £200 being awarded to the first three bands. All of the bands were given £150 towards travel costs.

Two Croydon bands, the Croydon Steel Orchestra and the Comets, placed third and fourth say that Ebony should be disqualified for having overage players.

The rules state that players should be aged 18 and under and that each team should have at least 12 players.
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North Carolina, USA - Jonathan Scales is a composer who uses the steel drums to push musical boundaries and defy classifications. Scales crosses his beats with influences ranging from jazz, rock, funk and bluegrass all while keeping the roots of traditional world music at his fingertips.

“I like to keep people guessing and scratching their heads about what I’m doing, because some of my music is pretty complex,” says Scales, who plays 9 p.m. Friday at The Grey Eagle Percussion Showcase. “It’s kind of like musical tricks that I like to play on people. I’m taking steel drums from a traditional setting into a contemporary jazz setting, that’s one thing that I want the audience to see.”

Scales sat down to talk with take5 about his passion for music.
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London, England  - A steel band is transforming the sound of Mozart and Tchaikovsky by giving it a calypso twist.

St Michael and All Angels Steel Band, made up of about 50 youngsters from around the borough, is learning to play classical music on steel drums.

The summer holiday workshops take place at St Michael and All Angels Church in Hillside, Stonebridge, and aims to encourage young people to learn about discipline and respect through music.

Band master, arranger and tuner, Alfred Toussaint, who is also known as Freddie, founded the band in 1996 and is delighted so many of the borough's youth are attending the lessons.
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London, England  - The Champions of Steel competition took place in London’s famed Hyde Park this past Saturday, August 23.  Ebony Steel Orchestra, the 2007 panorama champions, retained their title for 2008.
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Guyana - Steel pan is a very important element in Caribbean music and is a reflection of Caribbean culture and fittingly as part of the Caribbean festival of Arts celebrations, patrons at the National Cultural Centre this evening were treated to an excellent performance by the National Steel Symphony Orchestra. The Orchestra is completely outfitted with “G” pans which are actually a family of the Trinidad and Tobago steel pans and were developed over time. The instruments are newly created, and participants for CARIFESTA were given a first hand opportunity to listen to and enjoy the rich sound of symphonic music of the Genesis commonly known as the “G” pans.

Trinidad, W.I. - Anytime he hears music he arranged being played, Anthony "Muffman" Williams gets up to dance or rather sway and shuffle, sometimes subtly playing the notes on an imaginary pan with one of his hands. Seeing Williams so animated and with a smile warms the hearts of onlookers who are aware of his medical challenges that includes diabetes, which has affected his sight and leaves him nearly immobile.

German-born pianist, Frauke Kuehning has hailed Williams as the Pythagoras (Greek mathematician and philosopher) of this nation saying that he is responsible for the greatest innovations to the pan, how it is played and the worldwide popularity it enjoys. Kuehning drew this comparison on August 20 at the National Museum where alongside steelpan researcher, Kim Johnson, she delivered a lecture on Williams' life and music. 

London, England - For 30 years the best of UK talent have lined up to compete in the hotly contested Panorama steel band competition.

And this year the defending champions Ebony are vying to take their 18th title as the National Champions of Steel.

Since its inception in 1978 Panorama, which originated in Trinidad and Tobago, has been a precursor to Notting Hill Carnival.

While the main focus of the crowds is on the floats, costumes and sound systems, steel band music has been a central part of carnival since it began.

It was in 1964 that social worker Rhaune Laslett invited pan players to play at a small event she was organising in Notting Hill to soothe tensions in the wake of race riots.

Trinidad, W.I. - Two rival conventional steel orchestras joined forces for an evening of superb music last week Tuesday, at the Morne Coco Road, Petit Valley headquarters, of HCL Valley Harps Steel Orchestra.

Occasion was the CD launch of Valley Harps which formed part of a week of activities to celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary.

Reigning National Panorama champion (Medium) Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille and HCL Valley Harps put aside their competitive differences to the benefit of culture lovers.

Massachusetts, USA - Calypso tunes have a way of sticking in your head.

A month ago, it was “Blast Off,” by calypso artist Crazy, that stuck in the head of 17-year-old Dorchester resident Shaquan Gabriel.

First he started tinkering with the notes to the song on the piano. Then he brought the music to the Branches steel pan orchestra, where he serves as drummer and band captain.

Working in the group’s Harvard Street pan yard — a large shed that serves as the band’s practice space — Gabriel turned the tune into an arrangement that had the whole band rocking.

What started as tinkering secured Gabriel a new title in the band: musical arranger. Along with two other arrangers, Gabriel is responsible for maintaining and adding to the songbook of the 40-piece band.

On Saturday, Branches and two other steel pan bands will showcase their arrangements during the Boston Caribbean Carnival. Marching with a wheeled steel-framed float to support their pans and percussion section, the bands will make their way up Warren Street from Martin Luther King Boulevard in Roxbury to Franklin Park.

Position  /  Band
1st   /  D'RADOES
2nd  /  SONATAS
3rd  /  SESAME FLYERS
4th  /  CROSSFIRE
5th  /  ADLIB
6th  /  DESPERS USA
7th  /  CASYM
8th  /  HARMONY
9th  /  PANTONIC

St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda - Today we continue with the story of the Hadeed/Antigua Masonry Products (AMP) Halcyon Steel Orchestra.

This band has been in existence for 37 years and has been blessed with generous sponsors from Y De Lima to LIAT, to Brysons and then on to the longest serving sponsor ever AMP.

AMP has been with Halcyon for as long as our nation has been independent. It’s a relationship which everyone would have known about with headlines which read: “New investment keeps Halcyon sounding good” or “Renewed sponsorship for Halcyon Steel Orchestra”.

St. John’s, Antigua & Barbuda - They did it once. Then they did it nine more times for a marvellous 10 times in total. They did it in 1975, then 1978-1979, again in 1986-87 and that marvellous four-peat in 1992-1995. Just when we were getting a bit too comfortable with them being in the top three but not winning, they returned in 2008 to do it again.

Out of the “ghetto” they came. The year was 1971. Many, it is claimed, did not believe the group would last very long.

There can certainly be no confusion about the group we’re talking about – the Antigua Masonry Products Halcyon Steel Orchestra – 37 years in existence with over 25 years of sponsorship by the Antigua Masonry Products Ltd. Now that’s staying power…and that’s loyalty!

Let us go back to 1971 then slowly trek our way to the present. How did it all begin?  Take a lil’ bit of politics.

“It was a campaign promise”, someone had tried to explain Halcyon’s beginnings to me.

Then I read that article written 12 years ago by founder of the Halcyon Steel Orchestra, Selvyn Walter. Walter recounts how he had thrown down the political gauntlet to then premier of Antigua and Barbuda Sir Vere Cornwall Bird.

Trinidad, W.I. - A music instructor with the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra, who was said to have made an "abominable decision" when he started smoking marijuana, was yesterday freed of possession of the illegal drug.

Shaun Villaruel, of Battoo Street, Marabella, is involved in the pan side's youth vacation camp, his lawyer Ainsely Lucky said in the San Fernando Second Court.

Canada - Yuh see how ah does get in ting? When Steel Talks (WST) come an akse me to write meh Pan review. I here quiet, reading psalms an knittin an WST look to come straight so to chook Jack Spaniar nes. All yuh like de ro-ro eh? Gorme!

Dis year 2008, ah say ah was going to behave an hush meh mout. Ah wasn going to say ah word. Ah sprinkle Holy Water on meh head an put two nutmeg in meh shoe an went to Pan Alive in Toronto. Ah smile wid everybody, ah say ‘evenin. Ah say ah go listen to two steelbands, take a snap an go home an watch SpongeBob Khakipants or whoever he name.

But ah fugget Pan Jumbie own me. Ah fugget meh fadda was a Renegades man. Ah fugget is since ah small I convert to Pantyism. When ah reach in Lamport stadium, an de firse ban knock de iron, pan grabble meh by de back of meh neck an put me under house arres. Mine you, ah know ah had a job to do eh? Lass year ah put meh mout in it an not everybody was please. Is a good ting I not in no sou-sou wid dem so ah could afford to speak meh mine.

United Kingdom - This year's theme was Pan Fever - celebrating the Trinidadian pioneers who transformed old oil barrels into musical instruments, creating the distinct sound of steel band music.

Floats of skilled players - including one sponsored by the fire service - took part in this year's extravaganza, keeping spirits from flagging as the sun played peek-a-boo.

United Kingdom - Kensington Memorial Park, St Marks Road, London W10 was transformed into a Carnival Village on Monday the 11th August 2008 to accommodate the annual CAPCA/BAS Carnival and Junior Panorama competition. The overcast skies did not deter the public and participants from attending nor dampen the spirits of the young pannists; in fact, it turned out to be a fun day filled with sweet strains of steelpan music being heard from the junior steelbands dotted around the Park completing their final rehearsals/warm up sessions before the competition. Nostalgia steel band led by Lionel MacCalman played some nostalgic yet catchy tunes to accompany the parade of the children’s Mas bands before the start of the Junior Panorama competition.

Taiwan - Mat Britain, Director of the Vanderbilt University Steel Band Program in Nashville Tennessee, recently returned from teaching steel pan at the Taipei International Percussion Summer Camp (TIPSC) held at the Taipei National University School of the Arts in Taiwan. The ten day percussion intensive camp has grown over the past nine years to include 200+ students ranging from 10 to 21 years of age. Multiculturalism and diversity are the themes of TIPSC with classes in marimba, vibraphone improvisation, marching percussion, drum set, three forms of traditional Chinese percussion, and steel band.

Founder of the TIPSC and President of the Taipei National University School of the Arts (TNUA), Professor Tzong-Ching Ju says “It is our goal with the camp to expose our students to the differences between Eastern and Western percussion techniques and to introduce them to the percussive skills utilized in other cultures.”  The Taipei National University also has the only set of steeldrums on the island of Taiwan so it is a new and exciting experience for the students to be exposed to the steelband art form and the rhythms of Calypso music. “For many of these Asian students it was their first experience with the steel pan and it was a thrill to see their excitement and enthusiasm towards the instrument” says Britain.

Trinidad & Tobago - Recently on “Pan Diaspora” on the one-hour segment inside “Pan in Yuh Puefen” on WACK radio 90.1 FM, the guest of honour was the intriguing Atiba Chike Williams (pictured at right in red, with Clifton and Heshimu to the left and right, respectively).

The 18 year-old wonder boy is now a second-year student at the United World College of the Adriatic (UWCAd) in Italy in pursuit of his IB (International Baccalaureate Diploma).

As has always been the case Atiba was accompanied by his sister, Nubia. Atiba explained that pan on the peninsula is still a novelty. And Italians are still taken aback at the mellifluous sounds emanating from the only percussion instrument invented since the twentieth century.

Trinidad, W.I. - The summer pan programme hosted by top steel orchestra TCL Group Skiffle Bunch is off on a high note as more than 100 children and youngsters, between the ages of five to 19 have converged on its Coffee Street premises in San Fernando.

Many of the children, some of them crying, had to be turned away as registration exceeded all expectations.

Trinidad, W.I. - The sweet sounds of pan music filled the atmosphere as the graduating students of the 13th annual Republic Bank Right Start Pan Minors Music Literacy Scholarship Programme treated the audience to calypso, jazz and classical music at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre, St Ann's last Tuesday.

Undergoing a three week programme, the children between the ages of 10-16 years old got the opportunity to learn both the theory and practical aspects of music. The classes took place at two centres, the Creative Arts Centre at University of the West Indies (UWI) and Bishop Anstey High School (East) Trincity.

Some 161 students, who were nominated from schools across Trinidad and Tobago, received entry level certificates to UWI St Augustine Music Programme. An initiative by Republic Bank's Power to Make a Difference platform, the Pan Minors Programme was introduced in Trinidad in 1995 and two years later in Tobago.

Barbados - Youth will get a chance to learn music on one of the region's indigenous musical instruments - the steelpan - at the three-week Pan in the Plaza summer camp that started yesterday at Harrison College.

Participants of the camp, who range between the ages of eight to 21 years old are taught about various areas in music such as music theory and music etiquette among other things by Steelpan Instructor, Kently Gill.

Guyana - The resonating sound of pan music from Guyana’s National Steel Orchestra will be one of the main highlights of the Caribbean Festival of Arts (CARIFESTA) X which is just around the corner. A 100-piece band will be unveiled during the opening ceremony at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence on August 22 among several other performances. Overseen by Coordinator Andrew Tyndall, the core members of this band began rehearsing since in early June, at the Guyana National Service (GNC) Complex on CARIFESTA Avenue.

The group has fast-tracked preparations as CARIFESTA X draws nearer, moving from rehearsing three to six days a week. Its members comprise an equal combination of young and old among whom are members of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), the Guyana Police Force (GPF) and the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) who are rehearsing daily at the Guyana Police Force Band, Police Headquarters, Leary, under the guidance of Assistant Commissioner Cecil Bovell. Tyndall, an experienced pan-player himself said he has been putting in extra practice hours apart from the daily practice schedule with some of the rookies, to ensure they are in sync with the rest of the band.
The experience, he said, has been so exciting for the youngsters that some are skipping breaks to ‘get it right.’

Entrepreneurship, development, steelpan music and culture
 

New York - Utopia Pan Soul: the Next Generation again hosted another classy affair that provided participants  an intimate, special and unique steelpan music experience.  Moreover, Utopia Pan Soul continues to highlight the understanding and reality that there are much greater things and opportunities available for steelpan performing organizations, beyond the warrior throngs of panorama competitions.  Don’t get us wrong - we love panorama, but there is life outside of panorama.

New York - One thing that is certain - current New York Panorama champion Sonatas Steel Orchestra knows how to organize a successful steelband launch.  Neither rain, thunder or lightning can stop folks coming to a Sonatas launch.

In spite of the less than ideal weather earlier on in the day, folks packed into the St. Matthew’s gymnasium in Crown Heights to listen to the  lineup of New York steel orchestra heavyweights that were scheduled to perform at this affair.  Indeed, by comparison the lineup could make many panorama events blush.  In addition to Sonatas, Sesame Flyers, CASYM, ADLIB, D’Radoes and Pan Ambassadors, also slated to take the stage were Harmony, Steel Sensation and Steel in Love Pan Groove. Guests Yohan Popwell and Ken “Professor” Philmore (both arrangers on the New York pan scene) along with calypsonians Count Robin, Tunapuna Scanty and KD were all scheduled to entertain as well.

Trinidad  - AT a gathering of media, well-wishers and members of the band, Silver Stars Steel Orchestra launched its 60th anniversary plans at its panyard on Tragarete Road, Newtown. Mr Keith Byer, the band’s Manager gave an overview telling the attendees that to mark the occasion, a week of activities has been planned with a package designed to appreciate, celebrate and above all, educate.

Trinidad  - Trinidadian clarinettist Kwame Lewis, now resident in Boston, will also join the orchestra to perform the “Weber Concertino for Clarinet and Orchestra” to celebrate the attainment of his Dip ABRSM in clarinet performance. Lewis is a former music director of the QRC Scout Band. Among other works on the programme will be the equally popular “Elgar Pomp and Circumstance March” with the theme that is played at so many graduation ceremonies; and two Mark Loquan calypsos: “Colours Again” and “Nostalgia,” which have been arranged for pan by Liam Teague and transcribed for orchestra by American Gary Gibson.

Guyiana  - Prisoner, Shawn Yhap, who escaped almost one week ago, was recaptured by the police yesterday afternoon at LBI, East Coast Demerara.

According to a police press release, acting on information received ranks were able to recapture the prisoner at approximately 2.30 pm in the LBI area.
Yhap, a 32-year-old inmate of the Camp Street prison was among seven who were taken to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on Saturday to play the steel band. However, Yhap who was a `trustee’ was discovered missing between 8:15 and 8:30 pm when prisoner officers were preparing to take the group back to the prison.

Guyana - Steel pan music is an engaging culture. Steel bands are the life of most Caribbean festivities. Many Guyanese have grown to love the ensemble over the years. However, it is the view of some people that the art form is slowly fading away and should therefore be revived without delay. One individual with such a viewpoint is Schulder Griffith who has for the past 10 years managed the Mayor and City Councillors’ City Jammers Steel Orchestra.  Griffith who is also the City Clerk of Markets has for a number of years been involved in the artistic field both as a vocalist and a guitarist but has had immense involvement with steel pan music.

Guyana - Normally associated with the twin-island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, steel pan music has been an important feature of previous Carifesta celebrations. As was the case in the past, steel pan music is expected to be a prominent feature in this year’s Carifesta activities.

And if everything goes according to plan, the opening and closing ceremonies of Carifesta X will showcase a 100-member national steel orchestra.

At the opening ceremony the band is expected to play 100 pieces, and these range from classical to more contemporary soca, reggae and dancehall renditions.

Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold has responded to a column in last week's Tobago News last which suggested that the challenge for the steelband movement in Tobago was to develop a steelband in every village.

Arnold in responding to the Opoku Ware column said, "at one time this used to be the situation, there were steelbands all over Tobago, but I have been doing my part in rectifying the situation, I am still a pan tuner and have been giving instruments to villages in Tobago to start their own bands."

Trinidad - Reigning Panorama Champions Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove will perform on the African continent to celebrate this country's 46th anniversary of Independence on August 31.

According to Phase II's manager Errol Skerrett the band will play in Nigeria for a gala ball hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in that country.

After performing in Nigeria, Phase II will travel to Uganda to perform in an event marking that country's independence.

Trinidad - Pan Trinbago has dedicated August 2008 to the achievements of Pan Artisan Anthony ”Tony” Williams.

Tony Williams, 77, best described as a widely respected and complete musician, is an innovator, steelpan tuner, researcher, music arranger and performer. He was the person who developed the spider web pan, which was designed in fourths and fifths. The model is today widely accepted to be the standard instrument (steelpan).

In recognition and celebration of the man who has been hailed as an “absolute genius”, Pan Trinbago will be staging three (3) significant activities during August 2008..

Gyuana - The convicted prisoner who managed to escape while he and other inmates were playing steel pan at the airport remained at large up to press time last evening despite searches by prison authorities.

Shawn Yhap, a 32-year-old inmate of the Camp Street prison was among seven who were taken to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on Saturday to play pan. However Yhap who was a “trustee” was discovered missing between 8:15 and 8:30 pm, when prisoner officers were preparing to take the group back to the prison.

It is unclear when or how the prisoner managed to escape unseen.

Trinidad - One hundred and sixty one students will now have the option of pursuing a certificate in musical arts at the Centre for Creative Arts or a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of the West Indies having graduated from the Republic Bank Right Start Pan Minors Music Literacy Scholarship Programme.

Speaking yesterday at the graduation ceremony held at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre, St Ann's, Republic Bank's managing director David Dulal-Whiteway told the graduates and their parents that this was his bank's way of doing what it can to assist the youths of the country on their journey to excellence.

Trinidad - Participants can collect their Registration Forms, Rules & Regulations, Scores and Music for all categories, from Pan Trinbago Regional Offices in the North, South/Central, East and Tobago - for the upcoming Pan Is Beautiful festival..

Closing date for all entries is Friday 15^th August 2008.

The three (3) test pieces in this year’s Festival have been taken from the vast repertoire of Dr. Slinger Francisco aka The Mighty Sparrow. They are “Document Pan” (Orchestra), “Education” (Ensemble) and “Rose” (Single Pan Band).

Gyuana - A convicted prisoner who along with other inmates were playing steel pan at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri on Saturday managed to escape and was only discovered missing when prison officers were preparing to take the group back to the Camp Street prison that night.

Shaw Yhap, a 32-year-old resident of Middle Road, La Penitence, was serving a 12-month sentence for larceny of a motor cycle and was scheduled for release in November. It is unclear at what point the convict escaped. A search has been launched for the prisoner but up to press time last evening he had not been found.

Canada - More than 7,000 fans at Lamport Stadium last night witness the defending champions Selah Steel Academy successfully defend their Pan Alive panorama title.  The event is part of the annual Caribana festivities.

Twelve steelbands participated in the  Pan Alive competition.  Each group performed two tunes before three judges.  For Selah Steel Academy it was their second consecutive title.

Grenada, W.I. - Defending Junior Panorama Champions, Cable & Wireless Commancheros yesterday retained their title when they convincingly won the 2008 Junior Panorama competition at the National Stadium in St. George's.

The youngsters from St. Pauls, playing a Stephen Greenidge and Calvin Thomas arrangement of "Cheros Boys" scored 272 points, twenty six points ahead of second place finishers Lewis Construction Grand Roy Pan Angels who amassed a total of 246 points. In third place was AGD Wiz Kids from River Road while Republic Bank Angel Harps finished a disappointing 4th with 234 points.

Middlesbrough, United Kingdom  - Youngsters at a Middlesbrough primary school have been getting a taste for calypso music.

Year 6 pupils have been showing off their musical flair in Abingdon Primary School’s 12-strong Summer Steel Band.

Children will learn to play the Caribbean-style instruments over the summer and perform at live events for the following year all over the North-east, performing a wide range of music from calypso, to classical and Christmas carols.

Moira Ross, deputy headteacher who leads the band, said: “It’s a tremendous way for them to learn musically, and with a reliance on working as a team, they become closer as a group.”

Toronto, Canada - The sound of steelpan was sweet music to the ears of thousands at Lamport Stadium last night dancing to a Caribana battle of the bands

Some 12 steelbands were duking it out in a Pan Alive competition, in which they each performed two tunes before three judges, who award them points that lead to one being chosen top band and receiving some cash and a year's worth of bragging rights.

More than 7,000 fans were on their feet most of the night as some of city's top steelbands like Pan Fantasy, Afro Pan, Panatics, Metrotones and New Dimensions hammered it out before the judges.

"This a very competitive event because all the bands want to win," said event organizer Leslie Forbes, of the Ontario Steelpan Association. "The bands compete for bragging rights knowing they're the best."

Antigua & Barbuda -  Six bands competed for Antigua’s 2008 National Panorama Championship.  The featured bands in the competition were Mahico Stars, Gemonites, Harmonites International, Ebonites, Halcyon and Hells Gate, the defending champion. The annual event was held at Carnival City (Antigua’s Recreation Grounds), St. John’s, Antigua.  Each band performed one song before the judges.  A significant amount of the musical material performed in this year’s competition was from past years.

Defending champion Hells Gate Steel Orchestra came into the competition seeking that elusive hat-trick, but on this night, that feat was not to be - as Halcyon Steel Orchestra took the 2008  panorama crown.  Pandemonium and joy broke out on the stage as the members of Halcyon clad in blue tops pranced and danced across, even before the announcer officially declared them the 2008 champions.  Sharing in that realization and joy was none other than the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, the honorable Baldwin Spencer.  Mr. Spencer, a panman and a Halcyon Steel Orchestra ‘old boy’ was on stage with all the members, lapping up the joy of winning a panorama; after all, it was back in 1995 when they last had such a privilege.  Indeed, it is the envy of any steel orchestra  in the world, to have a head of state as a member/active supporter of its organization.

Antigua & Barbuda -  Gymnastics, limber strokes, salsa and phenomenal energy have created one of the most exciting Panoramas in a long time.

The bass players came prepared to outdo famed Cable & Wireless Hells Gate bass player “Gecko”. The arrangers came prepared to fuse variations and musical techniques. The players upped their Red Bull intake and gave us entertainment for our ears and our eyes. They came ready to put the “glitz and glamour” into the steel pan and this is exactly what each steel orchestra did.

Texas, USA -  A steel drum orchestra from the Virgin Islands will perform an hour-long concert Wednesday at Faith Family Church, 2002 Mockingbird Lane.

The free concert will be open to the public and begin at 7 p.m., featuring a combination of Christian and classical pieces.

The children raise the money for the orchestra’s annual trips, according to a news release from the church.