When Steel Talks
Global
- Trinidad and Tobago Panorama and Carnival
Schedule of Events. Info on the activities
for the 2020 steelband music season.
see more
Global
- PanOnTheNet/ WhenSteelTalks is Panorama
Central! Complete information on the 2020 season of the
Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama, and competitions:
Schedules, Orders of Appearance for preliminary,
semi-final and final phases for large, medium and small
conventional steel orchestras, and single pan bands;
arrangers’ bios, bios of steel orchestras; full results,
panyard addresses, history of previous Panoramas, and
much more!
see complete information
index
Web Posted - Friday
January 31,
2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - From Sunday February 2 to Wednesday 5, 2020, seventeen Large Conventional steel orchestras will face their category judges in a bid to fill fourteen coveted spots in the semi-finals round of the National Panorama 2020.
Taking the lead are the bands from the North; in order of appearance - Trinidad All Stars, Renegades, Silver Stars, Invaders, Starlift, Phase II Pan Groove and Desperadoes on Sunday February 2 from 7:00 p.m.
On Monday February 3, also from 7:00 p.m., the two entrants from
the sister isle Tobago, Redemption Sound Setters and
Buccooneers, will face the adjudication panel.
see the
full line-up
Web Posted - Thursday
January 30,
2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Medium steel orchestras performed in the Eastern Region
preliminaries of the 2020 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama on
Tuesday January 29. Nine bands in the medium category:
Potential Symphony, Pamberi, Moods, Curepe Scherzando, Sforzata,
Tunapuna Tipica, Arima Angel Harps, Melodians and Sangre Grande
Cordettes, all participated. Some of the
performances were captured in video. The adjudication
panel travelled to the bands’ respective pan yards where they
were judged.
see video performances
Web Posted - Sunday
January 26,
2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Great weather and sunny skies played host to enthusiastic music
performances from no less than thirty-two Junior steel
orchestras. All vied for 2020 titles in their respective
categories of ‘Primary Schools,’ ‘Secondary Schools’ and Under
21/Non-Schools (aka Elite). Retaining its hold on the
championship first was Guaico Presbyterian Steel Orchestra, with
arranger Tristan Marcano - Primary School.
see
more, get full results
Web Posted - Thursday
January 23,
2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Thirty-two Junior steel orchestras will be vying for championship status in their respective categories at the Trinidad and Tobago 2020 Junior/National Schools Panorama Finals at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on Sunday January 26 from 9:00 a.m.
The event is under the auspices of the Ministry of Education in collaboration with Pan Trinbago, Pan in Schools Coordinating Council (PSCC), Multicultural Music Programme Unit (MMPU), and the Tobago House of Assembly.
....Finalists in three categories were selected after several
days of judging at the competitors’ schools, panyards and
communities. Those going forward are Primary School (12),
Secondary School (10) and 21 & Under (10).
get full order of appearance
Web Posted - Wednesday
January 22,
2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Quick Chart for the Trinidad and Tobago steelband season showcases the complete listing of the conventional steel orchestras participating in the 2020 Panorama - all in one place, constantly updated. Biographies and histories of the competing orchestras, and arrangers with pictures are featured, along with the bands’ respective tunes of choice for easy access and listening, where available. Get up to date with all the data at your fingertips.
There are three categories in the annual Panorama
competition of conventional orchestras - small, medium and large.
Bands in the Quick Chart are highlighted within these specific
sections, and further sub-divided in each by color-coding to reflect
the four regions the steel orchestras hail from: North, East,
South/Central and Tobago. These regional designations, or
zones, as they were also previously referred to, have been in place
for years and are overseen by the governing body for the Pan—the
country’s national instrument—Pan Trinbago. The body is also
the organizer and promoter of the annual Panorama.
see the full Quick Chart
Web Posted - Monday
January 20,
2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago, Pan in Schools Coordinating Council (PSCC), Multicultural Music Programme Unit (MMPU) and the Tobago House of Assembly, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, producers of the National Schools Panorama 2020 - have released the results of the preliminaries in the Secondary School category. The steel orchestra fielded by St. Francois Girls’ College is ahead at this point.
Ten of these thirteen steel orchestras representing their
respective secondary educational institutions, qualified for the
Finals (there are no semi-finals) this Sunday January 26, at the
Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain, from 9:00 a.m.
read more,
get prelim results
Web Posted - Saturday
January 18,
2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -
Uptown Fascinators Steel Orchestra out of sister isle Tobago
bested thirteen co-competitors to clinch the championship and
trophy in the 2020 Small conventional steel orchestra finals of
the Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama. They performed Ojay
Richards’ winning arrangement of an ’oldie but goldie’ from
Winston Soso, “I Don’t Mind.” All fourteen steel orchestras put
on fiery performances in the finals on Friday January 17 at the
Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. The 2019 defending
champs T&T Defence Force in second place were on the heels of
the new champions, with 282 points.
read more, click for full results
Web Posted - Thursday
January 16, 2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Eighteen large steel orchestras are expected to participate in the Large category of the 2020 Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama competition. Preliminary judging is scheduled to begin in the respective pan yards of bands in the Northern region on Sunday February 2.
Get to know the participating bands in the preliminary phase of
this category in the competition.
see the bands, arrangers
Web Posted - Tuesday
January 14,
2020
Guyana Times
Guyana, S.A. - Republic Bank’s Panorama 2020 competition was launched with a concert that entertained the Sunday seawall crowd with the sweet sounds of steelpan coming from the bands participating this year.
The bands on show at the Kitty Seawall Bandstand included the 2019 champion, the Guyana Police Force Steel Band; the National School of Music Steel Band, and Caribbean Airlines Parkside Steel Orchestra.
According to the Department of Public Information (DPI), among the onlookers was Public Telecommunication Minister Cathy Hughes, who explained that the steelpan concert was one of her favourite events during the Mashramani season.
“.... think occasions like this really shows you the level of our Panorama competition has improved and raised over the last couple of years,” she is quoted as saying.
Mash Coordinator Andrew Tyndall told DPI that the event helped to raise the public’s awareness about the competition.
“The (steel band) season runs for over five weeks; it is the
time where a lot of the steel bands will start their preparation
for the Panorama. It is our biggest event for
Mashramani
season....”
read more
Web Posted - Sunday
January 12,
2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The thirty-one steel orchestras which were in the semi-finals gave their best musical efforts on the afternoon of Saturday January 11 at Victoria Square in Port-of-Spain. Now, the top fourteen (14) are moving on to the finals, slated for January 17, 2020. Genesis Pan Groove, Uptown Fascinators and the 2019 defending champs T&T Defence Force are currently out front as they, along with eleven co-competitors, each remain intent on claiming the 2020 crown in the small conventional steel orchestra category this year.
In the ears, eyes, and opinions of judges Ezra Joseph, Joanna Shortt, Kenrick Noel, Vorbin Cordice, Richard Pierre and Roger Sardinah - the arrangements of Arddin Herbert, Ojay Richards and Duvone Stewart, and subsequent execution by Genesis Pan Groove, Uptown Fascinators and T&T Defence Force, respectively, are best in show at this point.
read more, click for full results
Web Posted - Friday
January 10,
2020
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Approximately twenty-five steel orchestras are expected to participate in the Medium category of the 2020 Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama competition.
Preliminary judging begins in the respective pan yards of bands in the Northern region on Tuesday January 28. Power Stars Steel Orchestra is currently scheduled as the first band to kick it all off at 7:00 p.m.
Get to know the participating bands in the
preliminary phase of this category in the competition.
see the bands, arrangers
Web Posted - Thursday
January 9, 2019
When Steel Talks
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - At a morning media briefing on Thursday January 9, the president of Pan Trinbago, Beverley Ramsey-Moore assured everyone that it was full steam ahead for the organization’s cadre of historic 2020 Panorama events currently taking place within the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival season. Mrs. Ramsey-Moore was surrounded by the senior members of her organization.
“Today...we have seen the resilience of our membership, and we want to thank them, we want to thank members of the Single Pan grouping, who performed without receiving their “assistance” and even their Prize money; we want to thank them.”
“We want to say to small bands...that will be performing on
Saturday [January 11] - that we are in support, we [Pan
Trinbago] are here to give you strength....”
read more
Web Posted - Wednesday January
8,
2020
When Steel Talks
The Beginning of a Global Legacy
Washington, D.C., USA - The fight to increase literacy has been an important factor in Mr. Von Martin's life, but culture and arts have been the pioneering elements that have elevated him to this point in his passion for radio and broadcasting. He has produced Voices of Pan Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago as a way of connecting to history and paying tribute to so many great artists and cultural advocates that have lifted the steel pan to its heights as a modern age instrument. The book is an easy read for youth as well as adults who are avid pan enthusiasts or are interested in learning about the diversity of global arts. And for some, it will be a trip back in time.
Experience the chapter Girl Pat ------Beryl, Pat and Pat from
Voices of Pan Pioneers of Trinidad & Tobago.
click to read the chapter
Web Posted - Saturday
January 4, 2019
When Steel Talks
Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - This year marked 20 Years of Moods of Pan. Seven steel orchestras participated in 2019’s 25-A-Side competition. The contestants were Halcyon Steel Orchestra, Original Steel Orchestra, Panache Steel Orchestra, West Side Symphony, Gemonites Steel Orchestra, Antigua Girls High School and Hells Gate Steel Orchestra.
Panache won the event with their Malik Smith arrangement of
‘Treasure’ by Bruno Mars. Hells Gate came in second with their
rendition of ‘Rude’ sung by Magi and arranged by Kevaughni
Greenaway & Demetre Samuel.
see video, read more
Web Posted - Saturday
January 4, 2019
When Steel Talks
Global - The former commissioner of the NBA of passed away on New Year’s Day. And regardless of what you thought of him one has to acknowledge and respect his success as commissioner of the NBA.
A comparison of the growth of the NBA under David Stern with that of the potential for Pan - the Steelpan Music Industry and Culture.
We are by no stretch of the imagination fans of the late
commissioner of NBA David Stern, however there are some very
crucial things that he embraced during his tenure to increase
the value of the NBA.
read more
Web Posted - Friday
January 3,
2020
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore says plans are well on stream to host the national finals of the medium conventional steelband Panorama competition in Tobago.
The event is expected to be held on February 16 at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, from 7 p.m. Speaking to Newsday Tobago, an excited Ramsey-Moore reiterated the competition will create history on the island.
“It is the first major national finals of any kind of event to be
held in Tobago and we are hoping it comes off satisfactorily,” she
said.
read more
Web Posted - Friday
January 3,
2020
Financial Times
One of those rare musical recreations that sheds new light on the original works
England, U.K. - This looks like a novelty record. There is a punning title (on The Man-Machine); a cover that mimics the original, with band members arranged on a staircase in red shirts and black ties, all in service of the high concept: the music of Kraftwerk arranged for steel pans. By all rights, this should be something to be laughed at in a record shop but listened to once, if at all.
But this is one of those rare recreations...that work in their
own right and shed a new light on the original. Pan Machine
cherry-picks the highlights of the Düsseldorf electronic
conceptualists, from “The Model” to “The Robots”, but also finds
room for early Ralf und Florian rarity “Tanzmusik.”
The pans, with their wobbling timbre, both do and do not duplicate
the shimmer of early synthesisers. The arrangements, lacking the
deadpan vocals that hovered in an uneasy ironic space (were they
serious? Or self-parody?) reveal the beauty of the melodies: the gap
between the low basslines and the high patterns on “The Mode,”
including the shiver in the last refrain; the way the hook in
“Computer Love” — famously appropriated, with permission, by
Coldplay for “Talk” — is answered a moment later by a mirror phrase
in which the bass pans shift up a joyous third; the clockwork
intricacy of “Tour de France.”
read more
