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Web Posted - Monday January 21, 2013
When Steel Talks

Fourteen Semi-finalists in Medium Steel Orchestra Category - Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Panorama 2013

Global - A total of twenty Small Steel Orchestras made it to the next round of the 2013 National Panorama Semi Finals – Small Band category - being staged at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on Saturday 26 January from 12 noon.

....In the top spot is Laventille Serenaders with 271 points. The band played an Arddin Herbert-arrangement of “Hammer Time.
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Web Posted - Monday January 21, 2013
When Steel Talks

Twenty Small Steel Orchestras qualify for semi finals -Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Panorama 2013

Global - A total of twenty Small Steel Orchestras made it to the next round of the 2013 National Panorama Semi Finals – Small Band category - being staged at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on Saturday 26 January from 12 noon.

....In the top spot is Laventille Serenaders with 271 points. The band played an Arddin Herbert-arrangement of “Hammer Time.
click for full results

Web Posted - Sunday January 20, 2013
The Trinidad Guardian

Candice Andrews is a Boss of the Steel Pan

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - At just 36, she is the youngest & first female Captain of the world famous BP Renegades. Even at her young age, she already has 21 years with Renegades under her belt. Her status in the band has clearly been earned through commitment, determination & hard work.

As a child, Candice's grandmother's home was right next to the panyard on Charlotte Street (now an army base) and she very often played there. But her real introduction to playing a pan herself came at school, Woodbrook Government Secondary, where at age 15 she learned to play the national anthem on a steelpan. The accomplishment encouraged her, and that very year she officially joined Renegades.

In addition to playing, she also steadily worked her way up through the ranks of administration, first as a committee member, then Assistant Secretary, Secretary, Vice Captain and then Captain (now in her second term of office).
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Web Posted - Sunday January 20, 2013
The Trinidad Guardian

Solo Harmonites a beacon in Morvant/Barataria

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The management of four-time National Panorama champion Solo Harmonites Steel Orchestra does not take the commitment of its members who represent the brand lightly, says operations manager Owen Serrette.

He said the band, in spite of its challenges, continues to serve as a beacon in the Morvant/Barataria communities, while adding positively to the musical landscape of T&T.

....“Panorama is what every steelband person lives for. We are aiming to be the 2013 champion band. We are not in Panorama to be in the finals. We see the ingredients that have been missing and all we have to do it is put our shoulders to the wheel,” he said.
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Web Posted - Saturday January 19, 2013
The Trinidad Guardian

South bands struggling to find players for Panorama

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - While the national Panorama competitions continue to flourish in Port-of-Spain, steelbands in San Fernando are struggling to find players to launch a big challenge. The present situation is not overnight development, said David Balbosa, co-leader of Hatter’s Steel Orchestra, who urged stakeholders to come together to solve the problem since he fears the art form is dying in south Trinidad.

“There has been a decline in players because a trend has taken over the whole movement nationally where people don’t want to play pan without getting money for it. They are demanding big sums of money and some band can’t afford it. As a result, it is affecting the numbers in the band,” Balbosa said.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 17, 2013
Trinidad Express Newspapers

Pan Trinbago to pay $10,000 to two members

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago was yesterday ordered by a High Court judge to pay $10,000 to two steelband members who were seeking positions on the committee of the governing body for pan and steelband music.

Justice Ricky Rahim in the San Fernando High Court also ruled that Keith Simpson of St. James Tripolians Steel Orchestra, and Denise LJ Hernandez of Neal and Massy All Stars, were eligible candidates for election to the office of the Central Executive Committee of Pan Trinbago.

The election was scheduled for October 28 but Simpson and Hernandez, as well as Maurice Alexander and Steadson Jack of Pan Elders, filed a lawsuit after their nominations to the elections for a new executive were turned down.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 17, 2013
When Steel Talks

Sons of Steel Concert goes to Trinidad & Tobago

Global - “Sons of Steel Concert” branded as the ‘alternative steelpan event’ for Carnival 2013, promises to be an exciting and exhilarating night for music lovers. Merging their unique talents on steel, Noel, Earl Jr. and Olujimi La Pierre will be gracing the stage for the fist time ever to perform together in Trinidad at the Cascadia Hotel & Conference Center on January 31.

Upon hearing the name ‘La Pierre,’ thoughts are immediately of the steelpan. The La Pierre family is not only a household name for panists worldwide, but also one that equates an exceptional dose of natural talent, passion and execution of steelpan music.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 17, 2013
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband Panorama 2013 - Preliminaries: NORTHERN REGION Small and Medium Conventional Steel Orchestras

Global - T&T Music Stars will be the first band on stage, as Pan Trinbago’s Northern Region hosts its preliminary phase of National Panorama Small and Medium Conventional steel orchestras, showcasing the region’s steelband talent.

A total of twenty-four bands - nineteen Small and five Medium - will compete on Sunday 20^th January at The Paddock, Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad, from 3:00 pm. Admission is TT $60. Bleacher seating is available.
click for order of appearance

Web Posted - Wednesday January 16, 2013
CTNTWorld

Unsponsored Panmen receive cheques

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Minister of the Arts and Multiculturalism, Dr. Lincoln Douglas, says Government will keep supporting the growth of the steelband in order to strengthen the cultural sector.

On Tuesday, the Ministry distributed $2.7 million to unsponsored bands to assist with their preparations for Panorama 2013.

The President of Pan Trinbago, Mr. Keith Diaz, said from the humble beginnings of the Panorama 50 years ago, the steel pan is expected to progress even further on the world stage with the first ever International Panorama Finals in 2014.
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Web Posted - Wednesday January 16, 2013
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband Panorama 2013 - Preliminaries: SOUTH-CENTRAL REGION Small and Medium Conventional Steel Orchestras

Global - It’s “Blazing Steel” as the South/Central Zone of Pan Trinbago stages the Small and Medium Conventional Preliminaries for Panorama 2013. Carded for Saturday January 19^th at Skinner Park, San Fernando, the Pan competition features thirteen Small and four Medium steel orchestras. Like the other zonal Panorama events, the show will have a 7:00 p.m. start. Tickets are priced at TT $60.

First off the blocks in the Small Band category is Old Tech playing the Pouchet/Daniell composition “Shock Attack” while Pan Elders will lead off the Medium Band category.
click for order of appearance

Web Posted - Wednesday January 16, 2013
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband Panorama 2013 - Preliminaries: EASTERN REGION Small and Medium Conventional Steel Orchestras

Global - Sixteen Small and six Medium Conventional Steel Orchestras in the Eastern Region will be judged on Friday 18^th January 2013. The Panorama Preliminaries Eastern Region round will take place at the Arima Velodrome, Hollis Avenue, Arima, from 7:00 p.m. Admission is TT $60.

....Score sheets of the small and medium steel orchestras which participated in the preliminary round, will be opened on Monday 21^st January at the Port of Spain City Hall Auditorium, Knox Street, Port of Spain, at 10:00 a.m.
click for order of appearance

Web Posted - Tuesday January 15, 2013
When Steel Talks

33 Single Pan Bands make it to Semi-Finals: Preliminary Results

Trinidad & Tobago Steelband Panorama 2013

Global - San Juan East Side Symphony topped Trinidad & Tobago’s 2013 National Panorama Single Pan Preliminaries with 266 points.

The defending champions played a Duvone Stewart arrangement of Christopher “Tambu” Herbert’s “Rant & Rave” to earn the judges’ nod.

Sixty-three Single Pan bands competed over a four-day period before the panel of judges comprising Roger Sardinha, Joanne Shortt, Ian Anthony and Damion Phillip. Thirty-three move forward to the January 26 semi-finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah.
click for full results

Web Posted - Monday January 14, 2013
When Steel Talks

Ray Holman - 50 Years of Panorama and Counting

A When Steel Talks Exclusive

Global - In this exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, champion arranger Ray Holman provides a frank and honest assessment of the current state of the steelpan movement in Trinidad & Tobago, its past, its growth, struggles and current state of affairs. Who is responsible? Moreover, Ray provides some salient points on the potential way forward.
click for interview

Web Posted - Saturday January 12, 2013
When Steel Talks

Back for 2013 Panorama, Narell Talks Pan - Lots of It

Global - Andy Narell is back for Panorama 2013. The American-Trinidadian will be right at home among a fraternity of arrangers. And even narrowed in the small corner of elite composer-arrangers. It’s been 12 years since he last arranged in the competition. Competition? Well, Narell has a lot on his mind, and he doesn’t mind sharing thoughts, ideas - for that matter, all things Pan. So it hang, so we let it fall...

“I missed participating in Panorama, but being in a music competition is not what motivates me. I like the challenges of trying to write a good piece, getting the players interested in the story I’m telling, and getting a good performance from the band. Hearing the music played by 100 people is a high.”
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Web Posted - Friday January 11, 2013
The Trinidad Guardian

Diaz: Panorama to go international next year

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz says this year’s Panorama competition will be an exciting year for steelband and will lead to the introduction of Panorama as an international pan competition in 2014.

Though Diaz divulged little details about the event, he said competitors could begin registration as early as March 15.

This year’s competition also will see a change on the final night as the usual prize-giving, which takes place on the night of the finals, will be postponed to an award ceremony on February 22.
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Web Posted - Friday January 11, 2013
The Trinidad Guardian

Pan Trinbago gets drum-making factory from NP

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The National Petroleum Company (NP) has donated its drum-making factory to Pan Trinbago to be used for the manufacturing of the steelpan.

....“Just yesterday (Wednesday) NP donated it’s drum-making facility to us,” Diaz added.

The steelband fraternity had faced a drum shortage in 2011 when the machine being used at NP’s facility stopped operating due to mechanical problems.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 10, 2013
WestJet Up! Magazine

Discover beaches, rainforests and steelpan in Trinidad and Tobago

Steelpan odyssey

Global - “You might want to cover your ears. This is gonna be loud.”

I am standing beneath a rusted tin canopy in a modest backyard studio in Laventille, a labyrinthine community tucked deep within the hills of Port of Spain, Trinidad. It is here, in this gritty, working-class neighbourhood, that the steelpan—the Caribbean’s quintessential instrument—was born. All around me are discarded oil barrels, some on racks, some in stacks, each awaiting a second life far more lovely and melodic than its first.

As the noonday sun beats down, steelpan-maker Rolly Hart grabs a hammer and steadies the overturned oil barrel before him. He eyes the barrel’s flat surface, looking at the veiny lines he’s just drawn to mark out the drum’s soft spots. “Okay,” he cautions me again. “This’ll be loud.”

BAM.

I jump at the deafening clang, despite the double warning.

BAM BAM BAM.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 10, 2013
The Trinidad Guardian

Granding the Pan

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Last Sunday’s Piano and Pan Recital at Queen’s Hall, reintroduced both pan aficionados and those with a classical taste to two Trini-born maestros, who have successfully carved out international careers in the highly competitive field of classical music, from their stateside bases.

Conductor, pianist and choral director Richard Tang Yuk joined steelpan (and sometime violin) virtuoso Liam Teague for a recital as eclectic as the programme notes were amusing, informative and just a touch irreverent (a generous gesture aimed at deflating any of the pomp some may associate with such circumstances).
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Web Posted - Thursday January 10, 2013
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband Panorama - Preliminaries: SOUTH/CENTRAL REGION Single Pan Band Music Competition

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pleasantville Community Centre, San Fernando, is the venue for the South/Central National Single Pan Preliminaries. Ten steelbands will face the adjudication panel on Saturday 12^th January, from 7:00 p.m. Admission is TT $60.00.

The event produced by the South/Central Regional Executive of Pan Trinbago, and titled “Lighting De Fire,” will also feature a competition for the Best Flag Waver and an After Party Rama Drama. Guest performers include Kaizen Fuzun Steel with Darren Sheppard, Black Stalin, Clint “Baby Blue” Davis, Lady Adana, Neptune Drummers, Kaiso and Soca Singers and a DJ.
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Web Posted - Thursday January 10, 2013
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband Panorama - Preliminaries: EASTERN REGION Single Pan Band Music Competition

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Twenty Single Pan Bands have registered to compete in the National Preliminaries, Eastern Region. The steelpan competition takes place on Sunday 13^th January at the Arima Velodrome, Arima, from 3:00 p.m. Admission is TT $60.00.

Two participating steelbands - North Eastern All Stars and Pan Stereonetts, have selected 2013 material i.e. “Call My Name” and “Bubble” as their tune of choice. The others have opted for classics from the past years including those popularized by Kitchener, David Rudder, Chris “Tambu” Herbert, Shadow, Denyse Plummer, Colin Lucas, “Iwer” George, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Swallow, Mac Fingal and Baron.
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Web Posted - Tuesday January 8, 2013
The Trinidad Guardian

Tripolians in preparation for Panorama 2013

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Founded in 1971, St. James Tripolians Steel Orchestra is in serious rehearsals for the 2013 Panorama competition.

The band’s tune of choice is Say Say, composed by Winsford Devine and sung by the Baron. The selection is being arranged by young Darryl Reid who started his career with the band and has arranged Panorama tunes for the band from 2003 to 2010 making the finals on many occasions; he also assisted the then arranger on previous Panorama arrangements.

Tripolians celebrated its 41^st year of existence in November 2012, and was in the Panorama finals on ten occasions over the past 17 years....Despite being in existence for four decades, St James Tripolians Steel Orchestra remains unsponsored.
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Web Posted - Tuesday January 8, 2013
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband Panorama - Preliminaries: NORTH REGION Single Pan Band Music Competition

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - National Panorama Preliminaries for North Single Pan Bands will take place at the Paddock, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on Friday 11^th January, 2013, from 7:00 p.m. Twenty-nine bands have registered to compete.

First on stage is Brimblers. They will be performing the late Cecil Hume’s (Maestro) “Gold,” while Ice Water Ensemble plays in the final position of #29. The Diego Martin-based steelband has selected as its tune of choice “All Over,” a Fay-Ann Lyons-Timothy Watkins composition.
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Web Posted - Monday January 7, 2013
The Trinidad Guardian

Pan Trinbago polls await court matter

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - A date cannot be set for Pan Trinbago elections until after its court matter has been concluded, says Pan Trinbago president Keith Diaz.

The organisation is involved in a High Court lawsuit with four steelband representatives over its elections which were supposed to take place last October.

According to reports, the four representatives submitted their nomination papers to Pan Trinbago secretary Richard Forteau but were told they were invalid as they were not named as delegates of any member steelband.
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Web Posted - Monday January 7, 2013
When Steel Talks

Trinidad & Tobago National Steelband Panorama - Preliminaries: TOBAGO REGION Single Pan & Conventional Steel Orchestras Music Competition

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Tobago Region will officially kick off National Panorama Preliminaries 2013.

Four Single Pan Bands will face the panel of adjudicators on Thursday 10^th January at the bands’ respective pan yards from 7:00 p.m.

....Redemption Sound Setters, the sole Large Conventional steel orchestra, will perform Tuesday 22^nd January at their Pan theatre in Bethel. Their Panorama selection is “More Than an Oil Drum” composed by Don Clarke with lyrics by Gregory Ballantyne. The tune is arranged by Winston Gordon with Marie Toby as Leader.
click for schedule

Web Posted - Sunday January 6, 2013
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“Sapna (The Dream)”

sung by Gerelle Forbes
composed by Ray Holman
& Fazad “Joe” Shageer

Global - Ray Holman is an internationally renowned educator, musician, arranger and composer who has received wide acclaim for his work in the field of music and in particular with the Steel Pan, the National Instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.

....In the United States, Ray has delivered key performances, including at the Madison Square Garden and the Lincoln Centre in Manhattan....In Canada, he started the first Steel Pan Programme at the University of Manitoba. Ray Holman continues to travel and teach internationally.

For Panorama 2013 in Trinidad & Tobago, Ray is the arranger for Skiffle Steel Orchestra, continuing in his tradition of arranging his own composition for the competition.  Gerelle Forbes vocalizes Sapna (The Dream), Ray’s ‘Pan song’ written for the season.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Saturday January 5, 2013
When Steel Talks

Song for Panorama 2013

“More Love”

sung by “Black Stalin”
composed by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe
& Dr. Leroy Calliste

Global - The long-awaited tune of choice for Phase II Pan Groove composed by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe (pictured), the band’s legendary arranger, has finally been released.  Lyrics for “More Love” have been written by Dr. Leroy Calliste aka “Black Stalin” who also vocalizes the song.  Already Phase II aficionados appear to be excited by the possibilities offered by the track, while embracing its message for love and unity for the home of Pan, Trinidad & Tobago.

And so the onward march to ‘The Big Yard’ continues for the 2013 Panorama season, with steelpan lovers having but five weeks to the day before the 2013 Panorama champions are finally decided.  Phase II Pan Groove last won the coveted Panorama championship in 2008 with “Musical Vengeance” and placed second in 2009, 2010 and 2012.
click to hear song

Web Posted - Friday January 4, 2013
When Steel Talks

Cool Hand Smooth: All Stars, Arranger, ‘Bounce and Drive’ on Hat-Trick Hunt

Global - Well, Leon Edwards is not known as Smooth in the pantheon of steel band lore for nothing. In the late 60s, Edwards and Clyde Boland, a Trinidad All Stars bandmate, had just exchanged greetings in the pan yard on lower St. Vincent Street.

“How things?” Boland enquired. “Smooth,” Edwards shot back. “He name Smooth,” his friend said, smiling, “Man, he’s smooth.”

Edwards now recalls the game-changer with relish, obviously untroubled by the jangle of distinctive chirps of frogs in the night outside the Curepe home he and his wife share.
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Web Posted - Friday January 4, 2013
StarAfrica.com

Trinidad and Tobago donates steel band to Nigeria

Nigeria - The set of musical instruments was presented by the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Nigeria, Mr. Nyahuma Obika, to President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Abuja on Friday.

In a message from President George Maxwell of Trinidad and Tobago read by Obika, he recalled his promise to donate the steel band in replacement of the one used by the Nigerian Guard Brigade to entertain guests at the last presidential inauguration in May 2012.

Maxwell, in the message, noted that cultural connections and in particular, musical tradition was the most fulfilling among many ties that bound his country and Nigeria.
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Web Posted - Wednesday January 2, 2013
When Steel Talks

Latest Event info for 2013 Trinidad & Tobago Panorama Season

Global - The Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama Semi Finals will be held over two days instead of the customary one-day event. This is one of the major changes in the Carnival events calendar in 2013.

Single Pan and Small Conventional Bands will be judged on Saturday 26^th January from 12:00 noon while the Medium and Large Conventional Bands’ semi finals will take place on Sunday 27^th January from 12 noon. Venue for both competitions is the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.
read more & access latest schedule

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