Web Posted - Friday December 30, 2022
When Steel Talks

Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama 2023 Prizes

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The official list of Prizes for competing bands in the 2023 Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama provides the cash amounts to be won in the individual categories of the competition this season. Champion steel orchestras in the large, medium and small categories are expected to pocket TT $1,000,000, TT $600,000, and TT $400,000, respectively.
see prize listing

Web Posted - Monday December 26, 2022
When Steel Talks

Eruption Steel Orchestra - Christmas Pan Past, Pan Present and Pan Future

1st Annual Concert - “Deck The Halls”

New York, USA - Under the musical direction of educator and arranger Damany “BoB” James - Eruption Steel Orchestra presented “Deck the Halls,” a Christmas-themed showcase for the school’s student steel orchestras. They played to a packed audience who braved the very chilly weather and, furthermore, thoroughly enjoyed the performances.

Quality concert fare from the likes of Unison Steel and Victory Music & Dance Company took center stage in the first half of the program.
see more

Web Posted - Monday December 26, 2022
When Steel Talks

The Eruption Steel Orchestra - “Deck The Halls” - Christmas 2022 performances

The Meyer Levin Advanced Steel Band

New York, USA - The Eruption Steel Orchestra, Inc. presented “Deck The Halls” - its first annual concert, on Saturday December 17, 2022. There were several performances, including those from Meyer Levin steelbands, Unison Steel and Eruption. The audience was treated to several holiday classics.
see video

Web Posted - Friday December 23, 2022
9&10 News

Petoskey Steel Drum Band Is ‘A Really Special Thing to Watch’

The Petoskey Steel Drum Band

Michigan, USA - The Petoskey Steel Drum Band has been rocking through their holiday tour, stopping at places like Lansing all the way to Harbor Springs. This year the band has 36 students ranging from ninth to twelfth grade. Their performances are a blend of Caribbean steel drum music with contemporary tunes. “It’s a really special thing to watch,” said Duane Willson, director of the band.
see video, report

Web Posted - Tuesday December 20, 2022
When Steel Talks

Results - Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Preliminaries - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2023

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The results coming out of the preliminaries of the Small Steel Orchestra competition for Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2023 are now known. Fascinators Pan Symphony with arranger Amrit Samaroo is in the lead at this point, with reigning champions Uptown Fascinators from Tobago in second place. The talents of sister isle Tobago are presently in the spotlight as two more steel orchestras - Tobago Pan-Thers and New East Side Dimension are in a three-way tie for third place, along with T&T Defence Force.
see more, get results

Web Posted - Monday December 19, 2022
Palm Coast Observer

Island sounds: Matanzas’ steel bands perform ‘A Holiday Extravaganza’

The concert at Flagler Auditorium included the Pirates’ six Blue Steel bands

Matanzas High School Blue Steel concert

Florida, USA -  Dr. Jared Allen doesn’t like seeing all the seats filled at a Matanzas High School Blue Steel concert.

He would prefer the audience members get out of their seats, sing, dance and get into the spirit of the Caribbean-inspired music.

“It’s a full experience for the audience,” he said, a few days before the Pirates’ six steel band classes performed “A Holiday Extravaganza” on Thursday, Dec. 15, at Flagler Auditorium.

Allen is one of three full-time public school steel band teachers in the state of Florida. He teaches six classes with over 200 combined students, all of whom performed at the extravaganza.
see more

Web Posted - Monday December 19, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Ramsey-Moore: More $ for single pan winners, Pan players remittances may come back

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Single pan band winners were surprised with additional prize money on Friday.

Each of the 30 competing bands received between $50,000 to $10,000 more than the initial prize. Winners between one to 20 received an additional $50,000 while 21 to 30 received $10,000.

San Juan’s Chord Masters Steel Orchestra received their prize money for winning the first title of Carnival 2023 plus $50,000 more. In total, the band received $300,000.

....At the prize-giving ceremony on Friday held at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, Pan Trinbago’s president Beverley Ramsey-Moore (pictured) said the organisation was negotiating to have players’ remittances return.
see more

Web Posted - Saturday December 17, 2022
When Steel Talks

Sweet Steelpan at Sugar Mas 51 in St. Kitts and Nevis - EBJ Harmonics Steel Orchestra are Three-Peat Panorama Champions

St. Kitts and Nevis, W.I. - Defending steelband Panorama champions EBJ Harmonics Steel Orchestra made it three-in-a-row with their victory on Friday December 16, 2022, in Basseterre, St. Kitts. Carnival Village (Sugar Mill) was the venue for the annual event as six steel orchestras showed up as challengers to the title defenders. The music competition is one of the marquis events in the weeks-long festival nationally called “Sugar Mas,” and sometimes referred to internationally as St. Kitts-Nevis National Carnival. The 2022-2023 edition began December 2 and culminates January 3, 2023.
see more, get results

Web Posted - Friday December 16, 2022
When Steel Talks

Sugar Mas Panorama Steelpan Competition - Saint Kitts and Nevis - Live Stream

St. Kitts and Nevis, W.I. - Seven bands - The Vybz Steel Orchestra, Young Vibrations Steel Orchestra, Nevis Community Development Steel Orchestra, Qualie Rhythms Steel Orchestra, defending champions EBJ Harmonics Steel Orchestra, Pan-Demic Steel Orchestra and Poinciana Rhythmz Steel Orchestra compete in the twin-island nation’s 2022 Panorama competition.
see live stream

Web Posted - Wednesday December 14, 2022
When Steel Talks

EAST Region Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Preliminaries - Panyard Judging - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2023

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - It is the turn of bands representing the East region in the small conventional steel orchestra category to deliver preliminary performances before judges for the 2023 season of the Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama.

The fourth and final leg is advertised to feature fourteen bands in total, seven each over two days.
see judging schedule

Web Posted - Wednesday December 14, 2022
When Steel Talks

Participants for Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Competition - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2023

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Panorama season 2023 is underway in this twin-island nation and the Small conventional steel orchestras are competing in the preliminary phase.  Uptown Fascinators with arranger Ojay Richards are the defending champions in this category; this is a listing of participants.
see full listing

Web Posted - Wednesday December 14, 2022
When Steel Talks

NORTH Region Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Preliminaries - Panyard Judging - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2023

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan lovers get the chance to support and cheer on their favorite small steel orchestras in North Trinidad when they perform in panyard judging format at respective venues. The bands are going through their preliminary paces before a panel of judges in order to make the cut for the 2023 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama semi-finals early in the new year.. 
see judging schedule

Web Posted - Tuesday December 13, 2022
When Steel Talks

Len “Boogsie” Sharpe with Southern Stars Steel Orchestra – D South Band – turn up the heat with prelim performance

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The conventional small steel orchestra leg of Trinidad and Tobago’s 2023 Panorama competition opened up with a big, big, big bang - when Southern Stars from Siparia with the legendary Dr. Len “Boogsie” Sharpe at the musical helm dropped some science (reality juice) on the competition. Boogsie again reminded the world why he is the legendary Doctor Sharpe and most everyone else is just, well, regular, most of the time.

Indeed the good doctor held a Master class last night, Monday December 13. When others are wobbling and dabbling between major and minor scales or probing through Ionian, Dorian, Lydian, and or Mixolydian modes among others - the doctor went into full Boogsie mode.
see more

Web Posted - Monday December 12, 2022
When Steel Talks

TOBAGO Region Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Preliminaries - Panyard Judging - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2023

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The sister isle of Tobago is in the spotlight for two nights as eight small steel orchestras take their shot at advancing to the semi-finals in their category of the 2023 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama. Judges will take in the performances of four bands each night.
see judging schedule

Web Posted - Monday December 12, 2022
When Steel Talks

SOUTH/CENTRAL Region Small Conventional Steel Orchestra Preliminaries - Panyard Judging - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2023

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Several bands representing the South/Central Region are scheduled to perform before judges in their quest to qualify for the semi-finals in the small conventional steel orchestra category of the 2023 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama. 
see judging schedule

Web Posted - Thursday December 8, 2022
When Steel Talks

Single Pan Bands - 2022-2023 Finals Results - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama - Chord Masters Steel Orchestra and arranger André White Take Championship Title

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Chord Masters Steel Orchestra playing K.M.C.’s ‘First Experience’ as arranged by champion arranger André White swept away the competition on finals night, scoring 282 and placing first.

San Juan East Side Symphony which was the defending co-champion garnered 279 points, followed by Newtown Playboys in third place.
See results

Web Posted - Wednesday December 7, 2022
When Steel Talks

Live Stream - 2023 Single Pan Bands Finals - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Thirty single-pan bands take the stage for the 2022-2023 finals, which is live-streamed on Wednesday December 7, from the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, by TTT, Trinidad and Tobago Television.
See live stream

Web Posted - Sunday December 4, 2022
When Steel Talks

Some of Those In Pan We've Lost in 2022

The steelpan music community mourns the passing of some of the stalwarts of the art form in 2022.
See more

When Steel Talks

Trinidad and Tobago 2023 Panorama and Carnival Schedule of Events

Global - Trinidad and Tobago Panorama and Carnival Schedule of Events.  Info on the activities for the 2023 steelband music season: dates, times, judging schedules, preliminaries, semi-finals and finals competitions, event venues, and more.
see more

2023 Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Panorama Info - Complete

Global - PanOnTheNet/ WhenSteelTalks is Panorama Central! Complete information on the 2023 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 December 2, 2022
Loop News T&T

UWI Arts Chorale, Steel host ‘When You Believe’

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. -  The UWI Arts Chorale and UWI Arts Steel will host When You Believe on Sunday, December 4 under the co-direction of University of the West Indies Lecturers, Jessel Murray and Khion De Las.

The concert starts promptly at 6 p.m. at the St Paul’s Anglican Church, Harris Promenade, San Fernando.

Presented by the Department of Creative and Festival Arts (DCFA) of The University of The West Indies, the concert will feature an evening of steel and choral music that promises to set hearts alight with the joys of the Christmas season.
see more

Web Posted - Friday December 2, 2022
The Roanoke Times

Steel drums bring island sounds to the lake community

Members of the steel drum bands come together each Monday for practice at the “panyard” at Bridgewater Plaza.

Virginia, USA - The sound of steel drums has become a common occurrence at Smith Mountain Lake over the last decade. A dedicated group of local residents has taken up learning to play island melodies and showcasing them at events and fundraisers held around the community.

The leader of this spirited group of performers is Richard Rudolph, commonly referred to as the “Pandaddy” by the group. He introduced the steel drum sounds to the lake community and keeps coming back week after week to teach more than 30 musicians who are interested in playing the music of the Caribbean.

....Most members are lake residents, retired and well beyond the age they thought they would be able to learn a new instrument.

Rudolph leads two practices every Monday evening. One for the Toucan Pan and one for the Parrot Pan steel drum bands.
see more

Web Posted - Friday December 2, 2022
The Miami Times

Sunshine Jazz Organization’s 36th Annual Holiday Jazz features Othello Molineaux! Friday Dec 2nd

Florida, USA - The Sunshine Jazz Annual Holiday Concert is now in it’s 36th season! Join the SJO for a joyful Jazz Jam featuring international Steelpan Legend, South Florida Jazz Hall of Fame Inductee Othello Molineaux. Leading the band is popular jazz vocalist Loye Hawkins who continues to propagate Jazz and monthly Jazz Jams around South Florida for many years.

Born in Trinidad, Othello Molineaux is widely credited with introducing the steel pan to the jazz world.
see more

Web Posted - Thursday December 1, 2022
When Steel Talks

Single Pan Bands Finals - Order of Appearance - Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama 2023

Pan Stereonettes takes the stage first

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Semi-finals phase in the annual National Panorama’s Single Pan category for the 2023 season has been scrapped. After adverse weather conditions throughout the country caused disruptions nationwide, both the original date of November 26, and the subsequent November 27 scheduling had to be cancelled.

As a result, event organizer Pan Trinbago made the decision for all thirty semi-final bands to compete in the finals, carded for Wednesday December 7. Venue is the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain with a start time of 6:00 p.m.
see more

When Steel Talks

Facebook got it wrong - Meta World and WST & SteelPan Are Friends Again

Facebook “Likes” sends PanOnTheNet Apology - “We got it wrong”

Metaverse - Facebook got it wrong. About three years ago without warning or reason all WST (When Steel Talks) steelpan-related accounts fell out of favor with the social media giant Facebook now known as Meta and its aligned consortiums (Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp). Because WST has all of our material hosted on our own shared servers, this ‘tag’ was not incurable or as problematic as it could have been. However, it was annoying to have people seeking critical steelpan music info diverted by Facebook AI (artificial intelligence).
see more

Web Posted
When Steel Talks

Technology Giant “Google” Celebrates the steelpan instrument via Google Doodle

Celebrating Steelpan - Illustration by artist Nicholas Huggins

Doodle of steelpan instrument ‘live’ on Google’s web site

Global - On Tuesday July 26, 2022 the steelpan instrument of Trinidad and Tobago is featured and celebrated on the site of technology giant “Google” via the famed Google ‘Doodle.’ The ‘Doodle’ is essentially an illustrative change made to the Google corporate logo “to celebrate holidays, anniversaries, and the lives of famous artists, pioneers, and scientists” - and more. The doodle is then seen by users all around the world who access Google’s homepage on that day, and is available thereafter in the doodle archives.

....Trinidad and Tobago-based artist Nicholas Huggins is the creator of the illustrative artwork featured in the doodle, while Etienne Charles is the composer of the accompanying music performed by the legendary steelpan icon Len “Boogsie” Sharpe.
see more

Web Posted - February 2020
When Steel Talks

Complete Summary of Results of all Conventional Steel Orchestras - 2020 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - At a glance and on a single page, access the comprehensive summary of results for the Small, Medium and Large conventional steel orchestras that participated in their respective categories in the 2020 Panorama.

Follow the musical journey of respective bands through all three phases - compare side-by-side preliminaries, semi-finals and finals through data on band info, scores, tunes of choice and arrangers - on one page.
access full summary