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Web Posted - Wednesday October 31, 2012
When Steel Talks

Antigua & Barbuda Independence School Steelband Panorama 2012 - RESULTS

St. Joseph’s Academy and Villa Primary Steel Orchestras Remain in Winner’s Row

Antigua & Barbuda - Fourteen Antigua & Barbuda primary and secondary school steel orchestras competed in the country’s Independence school Panorama, held on the evening of October 30 at the Yasco Sport complex in the twin-island nation’s capital of St. John’s. The ranking system was used to judge the Panorama, which saw both defending champs in the primary and secondary divisions retain their respective titles.
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 30, 2012
When Steel Talks

Stage set for Style and Steel at Sforzata Pan yard - Caribbean Fashion Plus Week 2012 puts “Pan In Style”

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - It will be a colourful explosion of steel pan music and stylish fashions for ‘Pan In Style’ - a runway Fashion Show and After Party, unfolding on Saturday 3^rd November 2012 at the pan yard of Sforzata Steel Orchestra in St. Augustine, Trinidad. It is part of Caribbean Fashion Plus Week,  the largest Plus Size Fashion week event in the region, coming off in host country Trinidad and Tobago.

....In preparation for the “Pan In Style” event, noted photographer Antony Scully and fashion designer Wayne Sankar came together with Carivog international to create a “Pan In Style” photo shoot in conjunction with the Sforzata Junior Pan Ensemble.
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 30, 2012
7 News Belize

Pantempers Triumphant Taiwan Tour

Belize - 25 members of the Pantempers Steel Orchestra returned to Belize this morning - after a 15-day performing tour of Taiwan.

They were a part of the 2012 Latin American and Caribbean Exhibition - where they presented Belizean cultural music to a brand-new audience.

They returned today and the Bandleader shared their experience...

"The trip to Taiwan entailed 5 presentations. It also included tours, so in effect what actually happened was the sharing of cultures; we share our culture with Taiwan and they also shared their culture with us in terms of the exposure to the different historical museums and to the different businesses and so on that exist in Taiwan."
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Web Posted - Monday October 29, 2012
When Steel Talks

Brooklyn Philharmonic and Sonatas Steel Orchestra Make History

‘Flows Beneath’ captures the Tale of Two Cities while mimicking the existence and true life of a Brooklyn Steel Orchestra

New York, USA - In an historic pairing the Brooklyn Philharmonic and Sonatas Steel Orchestra performed together at the World Financial Center Winter Garden in downtown Manhattan as part of Soundcheck Live! presented by Arts Brookfield. On this notable occasion new music works for the distinguished Sonatas Steel Orchestra and the Brooklyn Philharmonic chamber ensemble joint performance were premiered.

The packed concert audience was treated to the world premiere performance of “Flows Beneath” - a piece written specifically for the collaborative performance of the steel orchestra and chamber ensemble by Christopher Cerrone. Cerrone was commissioned along with Kendall Williams to create original musical compositions for the event.
read more

Web Posted - Saturday October 27, 2012
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“Gih Dem Something, Baron”

sung by Vornique Benjamin
composed by Hayden Lynch & Sheldon Nugget

Global - Hayden Lynch hails from Trinidad W.I., where he was born in 1957 in the village of Tunapuna, east Trinidad. At age five he started to play Pan on an old tenor pan in his back yard.

Lynch has had several compositions over the last few years. With his 2013 track—Gih Dem Something, Baron—he is following up on 2011’s Children You Must Love Your Mother and 2012’s Steel Pan Melody.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Saturday October 27, 2012
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“We Come Out To Play”

sung by “The Original DeFosto Himself”
composed by Winston Scarborough & the Mighty Jamma

Global - For 2013 The Original DeFosto Himself, the man of music, is on the ball again with more tracks, including We Come Out to Play.

Also known as Winston Scarborough, DeFosto is considered by many to be one of the all-time great composers of steelband ‘panorama tunes.’
click to hear song

Web Posted - Saturday October 27, 2012
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

Digital Business donates $20,000 to Pan Trinbago

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Curepe-based management and technology consultancy and mobile app development company, Digital Business Limited earlier this week presented Pan Trinbago with $20,000 for the future development the steelpan.

....“It gives me great pleasure today to present to Mr Keith Diaz on behalf of Pan Trinbago the sum of $20,000, in recognition of the wonderful work that his leadership and his organisation has done and is continuing to do for the future development of our national instrument, the steelpan,” said Quinten Questel, managing director of Digital Business Ltd.
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Web Posted - Saturday October 27, 2012
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“We Toco Golden Boy”

sung by “The Original DeFosto Himself”
composed by Winston Scarborough

Global - For 2013 The Original DeFosto Himself, the man of music, is on the ball again with We Toco Golden Boy, written in honor of Trinidad & Tobago’s 2012 Olympic gold medalist, javelin thrower Keshorn Walcott. DeFosto has also performed the song.

Also known as Winston Scarborough, DeFosto is considered by many to be one of the all-time great composers of steelband ‘panorama tunes.’
click to hear song

Web Posted - Thursday October 25, 2012
When Steel Talks

Antigua & Barbuda 2012 School Steelband Panorama line-up

Antigua & Barbuda - School steel orchestras will be in the spotlight in Antigua & Barbuda for the Antigua Commercial Bank National School Panorama. It will be held at the Yasco Sport complex in St. John’s on October 30^th 2012 at 6:00 p.m. Steel orchestras from six Primary Schools and eight Secondary Schools will be taking part.
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Web Posted - Wednesday October 24, 2012
When Steel Talks

FITUN Salutes The Life And Legacy Of Bertie Marshall

Global - The Federation of Independent Trade Unions and NGOs (FITUN) joins with many others in offering condolences to the family, friends, and community of legendary pan-tuner Bertie Marshall. FITUN also is saluting Marshall’s signal legacy as an innovator and tuner of the steelpan instrument.

And so another Golden Age pioneer has left us… Bertie Marshall is one of the great figures of 20^th-century Trinidad and Tobago (T&T). He is a legendary pan-tuner, pan inventor, and innovator who accomplished magical acts of industrial innovation- without mainstream institutional support. Marshall is credited with introducing the harmonic tuning of Steelpan notes in 1956, as well as inventing the Double Tenor instrument.
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Web Posted - Wednesday October 24, 2012
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“Ah Big Song”

sung by The C.E.O. “CJ”
composed by Colin Jackman

Global - Colin Hayden Jackman better known as “The C.E.O ‘CJ’” was awarded the Upliftment and Improvement (U&I) Award in New York City for his key leadership role towards the upliftment and improvement of Caribbean Culture and Soca music. The award was presented to him by actor and humanitarian Mr. Danny “Diehard” Glover.

Colin has proclaimed to the world that his love for Soca and Calypso is unwavering and that he will continuously work towards the dream of “Taking soca to higher heights™”.  The C.E.O “CJ” is back on the soca stage with his hit composition Ah Big Song for Panorama 2013.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Wednesday October 24, 2012
When Steel Talks

Movement for Social Justice Pays Tribute to Steel Pan Genius Bertie Marshall

Global - The Executive, Activist Council and members of the Movement for Social Justice (MSJ) join his family, the rest of the national community and the regional and international steelband movement in mourning the loss of Bertie Lloyd Marshall who left us last Wednesday 17^th October. He was an ordinary man who did extra-ordinary things to advance the steelband instrument and its music.

Bertie was born in 1936 in the working class community of Laventille at a time when Trinidad was in industrial turmoil and the transition from Tamboo Bamboo to Dustbin was in full gear.
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 23, 2012
When Steel Talks

For Bertie, with thanks

“... amid the national wailing of grief and regret, and as we mourn our inability to rise to the best of ourselves—as Bertie Marshall did—let us pause to thank him for the art and science of his music” —Sunity Maharaj, Director of the Lloyd Best Institute of the West Indies

Trinidad and Tobago - There are some things for which one must pause. Pause—even from such enticing distractions as men without briefs, legal ones that is; pause—even from plumbing such mysteries as the right time to walk—as the United Labour Front (ULF) understood in 1988 in rescuing itself early from the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR) implosion to come; pause—even from the beckoning implications of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election morphing into a national referendum on the Government’s performance. Yes, temptation be stilled.

For today, we pause to bow before the force that was Bertie Marshall.
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Web Posted - Monday October 22, 2012
kfyo.com

Texas Tech Percussion and Steel Drum Ensembles to Perform Tuesday

Texas, USA - Texas Tech’s School of Music will present a night of percussion and steel this week.

Tech’s Percussion Ensembles I and II, along with the Steel Drum Bands, will perform at the Allen Theatre at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 23^rd.

The groups will present original compositions of Michael Udow, a world-renowned percussionist and educator, and will also feature soloists Cory Dolter and James McDonald.
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Web Posted - Sunday October 21, 2012
When Steel Talks

New York Steelpan community join thousands in “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” Walk

Brooklyn Steel Orchestras Declare War on Breast Cancer

New York, USA - On a beautiful sunny October Autumn day the New York steelpan community joined hundreds of thousands of committed New York walkers in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, when they participated in the annual “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.” They were present to help bring attention to and raise funding for finding cures to end, the disease.
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Web Posted - Saturday October 20, 2012
Trinidad & Tobago Newsday

Controversy at Pan Trinbago as election approaches

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - In the run-up to the October 28 elections of Pan Trinbago, to be held at the Capital Plaza (formerly Crowne Plaza) controversy is already heating up regarding nominations, delegates, and bands, being financial in the organisation.

Pan Trinbago Secretary, Richard Forteau is being accused of attempting to hold to the tenets of Article 10 of Pan Trinbago’s Constitution, but pan players find his action illegal.
read more        and       discuss here

Web Posted - Friday October 19, 2012
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“Musical Giants”

sung & composed by Simeon Superville

Global - Simeon Superville is a young singer-songwriter and music producer in the calypso soca and reggae arena. Currently pursuing studies in general musicianship, he is intent on taking calypso and soca further musically, by utilizing more visual imagery so persons can not only hear creativity - but also ‘see’ it.

....He has released Musical Giants for Panorama 2013.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Friday October 19, 2012
Trinidad Express Newspapers

‘Steelpan genius’ Bertie Marshall dies

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan pioneer/innovator Bertie Marshall died on Wednesday evening, succumbing to a longstanding illness that included complications brought on by diabetes and hypertension. He was hospitalised in August when his blood sugar level would not go down.

As word of Marshall’s death began to spread through the steelband fraternity overnight, people began making phone calls and also sending out text messages to substantiate the report, but up to early yesterday morning not even Pan Trinbago could verify the report.

It was not until around mid-morning when Pan Trinbago officially announced that Marshall, who was 76, had indeed passed away.

The Express was told that the organisation’s president, Keith Diaz, was in a meeting all day and could not be accessed for a comment on the life and achievements of Marshall.
read more

Web Posted - Thursday October 18, 2012
When Steel Talks

Legendary Steelpan innovator, builder and tuner Bertie Marshall has passed

Global - When Steel Talks extends sincere condolences to the Family, friends, colleagues and greater steelband fraternity, on the October 17, 2012 passing of Bertie Marshall of Trinidad and Tobago - legendary Steelpan innovator, builder and tuner.
read more

Web Posted - Wednesday October 17, 2012
When Steel Talks

Pan Trinbago’s Keith Diaz faces two challengers for Presidency

Global - Three persons have thrown their hats in the ring for the position of President of Pan Trinbago Inc. Former Executive member Beverly Ramsey-Moore is up against incumbent Keith Diaz for the post in the Association’s upcoming Central Executive elections carded for Sunday 28th October, 2012. Also vying for the Presidency is Vernon P. Morancie, out-going Chairman Pan Trinbago’s Eastern Region.

Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. at the venue, the Capital Plaza, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain in Trinidad.
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Web Posted - Tuesday October 16, 2012
When Steel Talks

Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation funds USVI’s Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra

USVI - One of the most successful youth orchestras in the US Virgin Islands is called the Rising Stars Youth Steel Orchestra. Based out of St. Thomas, the orchestra is a non-profit organization, designed to educate and inspire underprivileged students in the world of music.

The orchestra has just received critical funding from the Jeffrey Epstein VI Foundation. Known for supporting science research around the United States, the foundation also actively supports education and youth initiatives across the Virgin Islands.
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Web Posted - Monday October 15, 2012
When Steel Talks

Invaders Steel Orchestra Celebrates 10 Years of Pan, Parang and Pork

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - As the saying goes “Necessity is the mother of invention,” and so it was out of the realization that corporate sponsorship was only a partial means to sustainability, and in order to achieve self-sufficiency, that a more ingenious solution to financing the operational and infrastructural development of the panyard was needed. This was the vision of Invaders’ manager, Michael Dinchong which gave birth to the Invaders’ Pan, Parang and Pork (3ps) in 2002.

Starting off as a small but high-quality entertainment event then held in Trinidad’s Lion’s Civic Centre ten years ago, ‘Pan Parang and Pork’ has now established itself as the event that signals the opening of the Christmas celebrations in Trinidad and Tobago.
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Web Posted - Sunday October 14, 2012
DaMajority.com

CDF is getting set to host a major steel pan consultation

St. Lucia, W.I. - The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) is getting set to host a major steel pan consultation. The activity which should have taken place this week has been postponed however.

The consultation was planned to help chart the way forward for the growth of steel pan music in Saint Lucia.

Marketing Officer of the Cultural Development Foundation Jimmy Clavier says, this discussion is necessary for change and growth in this aspect of the local of music industry.
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Web Posted - Saturday October 13, 2012
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“Pan in we DNA”

sung by Adesh Samaroo
composed by Anthony “Lexo” Alexis

Global - One of the top Chutney singers in Trinidad and Tobago, Adesh Samaroo (pictured), has entered the 2013 Panorama ring with a song titled Pan in We DNA.

The track was released recently and already it is making waves, and key people in the Panorama industry are talking about Samaroo’s entry into the market.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Saturday October 13, 2012
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“Mash Up de Stage”

sung & composed by Wayne “TJ” Pierre

Global - Wayne “TJ” Pierre’s (pictured) singing career started as a young boy who was determined to show the world what a “son of the soil” could accomplish.

Wayne has been writing and recording for the past 20 years.  For 2013 he is coming hot and has recorded Mash Up the Stage for the upcoming Panorama season.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Friday October 12, 2012
NY Daily News

Legendary steel pan drummer Rudy Bishop preaches musical gospel to youthful converts

Formed Young Acolytes Symphonic Steel Orchestra as training ground for music and life

New York, USA -  Most parents know that the best way to get people to do something is to tell them not to do it.

Folks who lead countries should know that as well.

So when the rulers in his native Guyana banned the playing of steel pan drums, they unknowing set a young Rudy Bishop on a career path which would see his award winning steel pan orchestras perform in venues around the world and with top musicians, including the legendary Bob Marley.

....“When I was a kid, I could not go near the steel pan,” Bishop said. “The steel pan was banned, the white men who ran the country outlawed it. So there was a stigma on it, so parents did not want youth playing it. Only rogues and bad boys played pan. You could not be seen near a steel pan.”
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Web Posted - Thursday October 11, 2012
When Steel Talks

Nigeria’s Chief Bowei accuses Pan Trinbago of illegal proceedings

Global - A release has been forwarded to When Steel Talks by the office of Chief Bowie S. Bowei, CEO of ATTSDC (Africa-Trinidad & Tobago Steelpan Development Company, Ltd.) in which he alleges that “FCL Ltd. and Pan Trinbago held an Illegal ATTSDC Shareholders Meeting” and that a “Plan to Claim ATTSDC with Forged Documents” was uncovered.  Also accompanying this release from his office, Chief Bowei provided both a letter he received from Pan Trinbago, and his subsequent response.
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Web Posted - Thursday October 11, 2012
InArkansas.com

SteelCats Steel Drum Band to Perform at Live at Laman Today

Arkansas, USA - SteelCats, Episcopal Collegiate School’s steel drum band under the direction of Erick Saoud, will perform music arranged specifically for the steel drum at 7 p.m. today (Oct. 11) at Laman Library, 2801 Orange St., North Little Rock.

The band, which is highly entertaining, often performs at area festivals and events such as Shop ‘n’ Sip in Hillcrest and Happy Hour in the Heights.
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Web Posted - Wednesday October 10, 2012
When Steel Talks

International Steelpan Jazz Challenge Underway

Trinidad & Tobago - The qualifying round of the FCB (First Citizens Bank) International Steelpan Jazz Challenge will take place at the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad, on Sunday 21^st October from 5:00 p.m. The Grand Finals come off on Sunday 4^th November 2012 at the same venue.

Thirteen (13) ensembles with a minimum of twelve musicians, and where at least 50% of the ensemble must be playing steelpan instruments - will perform for six minutes.
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Web Posted - Saturday October 6, 2012
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

T&T engineer develops Pan arrangement software

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - In preparation for the annual Panorama competition, steelband arrangers would usually spend long hours at panyards perfecting their musical renditions. Now, newly-developed software will allow them to fine-tune their pan arrangements using authentic steelband tones before they even hit the panyard.

The software, developed by St Augustine electrical engineering graduate David Chow, 24, can be played on keyboards and MIDI instruments through a computer. His Indigisounds Digital Steelpan sample (steelband software) library was developed with support from Prof Brian Copeland, who received the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago medal for his work on the G-Pan, with whom he worked as a research engineer.
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Web Posted - Saturday October 6, 2012
When Steel Talks

Meet Andy Neils - Outstanding Steelpan Tuner - UpClose!

Global - An exclusive When Steel Talks interview with Andy Neils - former ace steelpan player for the legendary Renegades Steel Orchestra and now internationally renowned steelpan tuner.

Andy “Max” Neils is an accomplished and outstanding steelpan tuner whose talents are sought after all over the world, and currently the resident tuner for Trinidad & Tobago’s National Steel Symphony.
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Web Posted - Friday October 5, 2012
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Ex-THA member seeks to head Pan Trinbago

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago is in crisis. That’s the view of former Pan Trinbago executive member Beverly Ramsey-Moore, who is seeking election as president of the organisation. Elections for a new Pan Trinbago executive will take place on October 28. Nominations close tomorrow. Ramsey-Moore, a former member of the Tobago House of Assembly, and her team filed their nomination papers at Pan Trinbago’s office on Park Street, Port-of-Spain, yesterday. Officials of the organisation questioned the reason for media workers being in the building yesterday, saying there was to be no electoral activity by anyone at the office.
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Web Posted - Friday October 5, 2012
Guyana Chronicle Online

Celebrating Education Month… Allied Arts Unit holds annual Amity steelband exhibition in Botanical Gardens

Guyana, S.A. - The Allied Arts Unit of the Ministry of Education on Sunday held its annual Amity National Steelband Exhibition at the Botanical Gardens in Georgetown, as part of its mandate to celebrate Education Month.

The participating schools were Queen’s College, Bishops’ High School, North Georgetown Primary, North Ruimveldt Secondary, Panwave Steel Band...
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Web Posted - Thursday October 4, 2012
When Steel Talks

SteelPan Tuners Guild call Emergency Meeting

Trinidad & Tobago - The SteelPan Tuners Guild of Trinidad & Tobago has issued an invitation to its members to attend an Emergency Meeting at the Ministry of Culture Office, La Fantasie Road, St. Ann’s in Trinidad, on Monday 8th October 2012, at 5:00 p.m.
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Web Posted - Wednesday October 3, 2012
MTSU Sidelines

The Great Barrier Reefs bring gift of jazz fusion to Middle Tennessee

Tennessee, USA - A band that features steel drums and a jazz fusion sounds is not something one would normally find in the Murfreesboro area, but Murfreesboro residents and MTSU [Middle Tennessee State University] students enjoy these same sounds, courtesy of The Great Barrier Reefs.

What started off as a wedding cover band originally known as The Great Barrier Reefs and Tony grew into something more in late 2009, when lead man, steel pan and keyboard player Tony Hartman began writing and implementing his original music and consequently dropped the “and Tony.”

Hartman, a 2010 MTSU graduate with a degree in music education and Spanish, is currently a part-time educator and a full-time musician. When he’s not leading The Great Barrier Reefs, he’s introducing the musical world to fifth and sixth graders through private steel drum lessons.
read more

Web Posted - Wednesday October 3, 2012
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“Bounce and Drive”

sung by Dexter “Blaxx” Stewart
composed by Clive Telemaque

Global - For the  2012 pan season and in what was his  first attempt at a “Pan song” - panist, composer and arranger Clive Telemaque (pictured) composed Play Yourself which was the winning tune at the Panorama Finals 2012.  It was performed by his band Trinidad All Stars.

Now with the 2013 season looming ahead Telemaque is seeking to continue his winning start by producing other compositions such as this track, Bounce and Drive, sung by Dexter “Blaxx” Stewart and People’s Choice.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Monday October 1, 2012
The Jamaica Observer

A ‘Stella’ performance

Jamaica, W.I. - The Stella Maris Steel Band gave a delightful performance at its 10^th anniversary concert at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston, St Andrew, on Saturday night.

The event, Pantastic 10, saw members of the first and only Catholic steel band entertaining the audience through a range of musical genres, from gospel, classic, soul, soca, reggae and ska.

The group’s repertoire began with Panis Angelicus, then Coldplay’s Clocks, Harmour Love, and Tchaikovsky’s Waltz Of The Flowers.
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Web Posted
When Steel Talks - Special

Champion Panorama Tunes of Trinidad and Tobago

Global - A critical component to winning any panorama competition is the song the orchestras choose to use as the basis of their panorama arrangements. Over the years these songs have inspired classic panorama arrangements. When Steel Talks invites you to take a look at and listen to, these famed tunes which have played more than just a cursory part in the history of Pan, and the lives of the players and fans.
click to hear and/or view