Web Posted - Wednesday November 30, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Pan professor appeals for chance to serve Trinidad and Tobago

Prof Liam Teague speaks at City Hall in San Fernando on Wednesday morning after he received the key to the city and citation award from mayor Junia Regrello
Prof Liam Teague speaks at City Hall in San Fernando on Wednesday morning after he received the key to the city and citation award from mayor Junia Regrello

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Pan virtuoso, composer, arranger, lecturer and university professor Liam Teague received the keys to the city of San Fernando at Wednesday’s statutory meeting of the city corporation.

The presentation of the key and a citation award brought to an end the month-long celebration of the 34 years since city status was conferred on San Fernando.

....Teague, a professor of music and director of steelpan studies at Northern Illinois University, was born in San Fernando.
see more


Web Posted - Wednesday November 30, 2022
Laker Media

Steel Drums to present benefit Christmas show Dec. 10

Virginia, USA - The Smith Mountain Lake Toucan and Parrot Pan steel drum bands will present a family Christmas concert from 3 to 5 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Scruggs Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department in Moneta.

The show, which will feature Caribbean-style arrangements of many holiday favorites, will benefit SVFRD and the continuing Smith Mountain Lake Center effort to establish an education, arts and events venue in the SML area, where the steel drum bands hope to one day relocate their rehearsal space.
see more


Web Posted - Tuesday November 29, 2022
The Lawton Constitution

Cameron University Percussion Ensemble presents fall concert

Oklahoma, USA - The Cameron University Department of Art, Music and Theatre Arts will present the CU Percussion Ensemble in concert on Friday. The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. in the University Theatre.

....The Cameron University Pan Express steel drum ensemble will close the concert with “Oje Como Va,” “More Java,” “Yellow Bird” and “Brazil.”
see more


Web Posted - Sunday November 27, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Semis cancelled, all 30 single pan bands move to finals

Edinburg 500 Steel Emsemble was the first single pan band to perform for judges at the start of the single pan band preliminaries for Panorama 2023, at its panyard on Lapwing Crescent, Chaguanas, on Friday night.
Edinburg 500 Steel Emsemble was the first single pan band to perform for judges at the start of the single pan band preliminaries for Panorama 2023, at its panyard on Lapwing Crescent, Chaguanas, on Friday night

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - All 30 bands scheduled to take part in the National Panorama Single Pan Semi-Finals will now move on to the finals on December 7, Pan Trinbago’s president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said.

This is due to the adverse weather and riverine flood alert. The Met Office upgraded the alerts from yellow to orange on Sunday.

In a release on Saturday, Pan Trinbago said because of the national alerts by the Prime Minister about a weather emergency brought on by continuous rainfall, its central executive took the decision then to postpone to event.
see more


Web Posted - Saturday November 26, 2022
When Steel Talks

2023 Single Pan Semi-finals postponed due to Adverse Weather Alert - NOW CANCELLED

Competition rescheduled for November 27

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Single Pan Semi-finals for the 2023 Trinidad & Tobago National Panorama season was postponed due to inclement weather and the adverse weather alert put out by the country’s meteorological service. Event organizer Pan Trinbago posted the decision on their Facebook and website platforms on the morning of Saturday November 26, the original date of the competition, as pictures of floods, overflowing rivers and landsides appeared on social media.
see more


Web Posted - Wednesday November 23, 2022
When Steel Talks

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

Curepe Polyphonics is first up

Panorama logo

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The Order of Appearance of the thirty semi-finalists in the Single Pan category of the annual National Panorama organized by Pan Trinbago, is now set, after the draw for playing positions was held on Wednesday November 23. The second phase of competition takes place at the Arima Velodrome in Arima, east Trinidad on Saturday November 26, 2022 beginning 4.00 p.m.
see more


Web Posted - Monday November 21, 2022
When Steel Talks

Single Pan Bands - Complete 2023 Preliminaries Results - Trinidad and Tobago Panorama

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The 2023 Single Pan preliminaries unfolded from November 11 through 19, 2022. Forty-seven bands faced the judges on various nights in their respective zones: South/Central, Northern, Tobago and Eastern regions.

....San Juan East Side Symphony and Marsicans Steel Orchestra are defending Single Pan co-champions, and San Juan East Side is in the lead going into the semi-finals, while Marsicans occupies the fifth spot presently.
see full results


Web Posted - Saturday November 19, 2022
When Steel Talks

Protect our sacred panyards

by Dara E Healy

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - THE PAIN caused by the recent murder in [the panyard of] Pamberi Steel Orchestra has many threads.

These threads flow back in time, connecting decades, even centuries of hurt and loss. Like the spiderweb design in the pan, the threads hold stories and attitudes about an instrument that is indigenous to our country, but which should be better protected.

The web spins, winding around pan geniuses like Anthony Williams, sitting quietly in his humility, not recognised enough and without the financial security for someone who created magical music on a biscuit tin.
See more


Web Posted - Saturday November 19, 2022
Boysets Fire

Kettle Drum Music – The Genre Of Music That Includes Music Played On A Kettle Drum

What Genre Of Music Uses Steel Drums?

What Genre Of Music Uses Steel Drums?

Global - ....It is unknown whether calypsos will ever go away, but the steel pan (steel drum) is an instrument that is adaptable.

Steel pan music has long been popular because of its warm, rich tone and ability to bring people together. There is an increasing demand for it all over the world, and its popularity is growing. Steel pan music deserves to be more widely recognized and appreciated. Steel pan music is a distinct and fascinating form of music.

....Steelpan’s story doesn’t end there, despite what you might think. It has been embraced by artists from all over the world, including South Africa and the United States.
see more


Web Posted - Friday November 18, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Tobago Pan-Thers, Digicel open homework centre

Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe, left, and Digicel Foundation director Georgina Peterkin, right, look on as a student logs into one of the computers at the new homework centre in Golden Lane
Tobago West MP Shamfa Cudjoe, left, and Digicel Foundation director Georgina Peterkin, right, look on as a student logs into one of the computers at the new homework centre in Golden Lane

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Tobago Pan-Thers Steel Orchestra and the Digicel Foundation have collaborated to open a new homework centre and after-school programme in Golden Lane.

The initiative was launched on Wednesday at the Tobago Pan-Thers panyard in Seaview Trace, Golden Lane.

Through this partnership, Tobago Pan-Thers received funding to develop the project. Renovations were done to bring the space up to standard; computers, printers and other equipment were acquired as well as internet access; and the space was generally outfitted to make it fully functional.
see more


Web Posted - Friday November 18, 2022
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday

Newtown Playboys wow fans at single pan prelims

Newtown Playboys plays KMC’s First Experience during the National Panorama Single Pan Steelbands Prelims, at their Tragarete Road panyard on November 14
Newtown Playboys plays KMC’s First Experience during the National Panorama Single Pan Steelbands Prelims, at their Tragarete Road panyard on November 14

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - On the fourth night of the National Panorama single pan steelbands prelims, the Newtown Playboys, under the direction of arranger Duvone Stewart, showed they are gunning for the champion title.

The San Juan East Side Symphony and Marsicans Steel Orchestra are joint title-holders of the competition, which was last held in 2019.

....Judging in the Northern Region was not without drama, with an arranger and frontline players parting ways with a band, which was left without the required number of players to qualify for judging.
see more


Web Posted - Wednesday November 16, 2022
When Steel Talks

Single Pan Bands - Preliminaries, EASTERN Region - Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2023

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Twenty bands in the Eastern region of Pan Trinbago’s annual National Panorama Single Pan Preliminaries close out this phase of competition when being judged in their respective panyards. The events unfold over a three-night period.
see more


Web Posted - Wednesday November 16, 2022
When Steel Talks

Pamberi Steel Orchestra On Shooting Incident In The Panyard

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - “After forty-two (42) uninterrupted years of positivity and community empowerment, the Pamberi Panyard’s ‘safe space’ was violated by a shooting incident yesterday [November 15, 2022] afternoon at approximately 4.30 p.m. In the incident, one young man unfortunately lost his life and two others were injured. While, neither the incident, nor the persons involved, were linked to the operations of Pamberi Steel Orchestra, the fact that it occurred in our panyard space strikes at the core of our existence and projection.
see more


Web Posted - Tuesday November 15, 2022
When Steel Talks

Single Pan Bands - Preliminaries, TOBAGO Region - Trinidad & Tobago Panorama 2023

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Single Pan bands in Tobago perform for judges in their panyards for preliminaries.  Metro Stars Steel Orchestra and Natural Mystic are the two bands in competition on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.
see more


Web Posted - Sunday November 13, 2022
When Steel Talks

Duvone Stewart Returns to Single Pan Competition, weighs in on the category

by Sharmain Baboolal

Duvone Stewart (center) with Newtown Playboys
Duvone Stewart (center) with Newtown Playboys

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - The buzz is at the Newtown Playboys panyard where arranger Duvone Stewart shocked the local steelpan fraternity with his return to the competitive single pan arena. With 11 Single Pan Panorama titles under his belt, he dropped off their radar in 2015.

For the post-pandemic Panorama, the 47-year-old champion of both the Medium and Large band categories is not here for bragging rights, at all.

Yes, it is to earn a living. But, also to bring new ideas to the music in what is really a master class for young arrangers.

So it is not strange to see players, arrangers and sometimes bandleaders, standing on the pavement at 64 Tragarete Road, not just listening to the depth and richness he has brought back to the music for the single pan bands that were previously “Pan around the neck.”
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


When Steel Talks

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 November 11, 2022
The Lafayette

Student Artist Spotlight: Damoi Morgan ’25 adds melody to campus with steel drum

Damoi Morgan ’25 views music as a way to give the campus color.
Damoi Morgan ’25 views music as a way to give the campus color.

Pennsylvania, USA - It’s possible you’ve never met Damoi Morgan ’25, but it’s likely that you’ve heard his music passing through the Quad. To many Lafayette students and faculty members, the melodies from Morgan’s steel drums echoing across campus have become a familiar and welcoming sound.

Morgan’s fondness for the steel drum first emerged when he was in high school. Originally trained as a percussionist, he started experimenting with the steel drum as a way to expand his musical horizons beyond beats and patterns and into the world of notes and tones.

[Damoi has also performed with New York’s Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra].
see more


Web Posted - Friday November 11, 2022
When Steel Talks

The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra to play free concert at Fulkerson Recital Hall

Jonathan Scales
Jonathan Scales

California, USA - The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra will be playing a free concert Monday, November 14th at 8:00 p.m., at the Fulkerson Recital Hall at Cal Poly Humboldt [California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt]. The performance is presented and sponsored by the Humboldt Calypso Band and the Cal Poly Humboldt Jazz Program. The group consists of Jonathan Scales on steelpan with bassist E’Lon JD and drummer Maison Guidry.

The Jonathan Scales Fourchestra’s eponymous debut—fully orchestrated with horns and strings—was released in 2013 by Ropeadope Records. The record reached #6 on the iTunes Jazz charts.
see more


Web Posted - Friday November 4, 2022
VTDigger

A multigenerational Vermont steelband plays for pollinator protection

Honeybee Steelband plays music on Halloween in Montpelier on Monday
Honeybee Steelband plays music on Halloween in Montpelier on Monday

Montpelier, Vermont, USA - In the middle of Montpelier’s State Street on Halloween, goblins, witches and giraffes paused their pursuit of sugar-filled treats to eye a buzzing yellow float.

Under the wooden structure, a swarm of eight musicians dressed as bees played steelpans, accompanied by a ukulele and a cowbell.

...Hardwick resident Emily Lanxner, the creator of Honeybee Steelband, said she shifted the band’s focus in 2015 from purely performance to activism in response to what she characterized as alarming pesticide use in Vermont and its effects on pollinator populations.

“I just thought, you know what, this is an issue that I could focus on and really make a difference,” said Lanxner, 60. “Because what I do with music could be a really good fit for bringing people together on this issue.”
see more


Web Posted - Monday October 31, 2022
The Northerner

Adult Beginning Steel Drum Band makes the joy of playing music accessible to all

 Instruments used by the NKU Music Preparatory Adult Beginning Steel Drum Band
Instruments used by the NKU Music Preparatory Adult Beginning Steel Drum Band

Kentucky, USA - An NKU (Northern Kentucky University) alum who hadn’t consistently played music since college. An adjunct faculty member of the music department who teaches piano and wanted to learn a new instrument. A man of Caribbean descent who yearned to connect with his roots. These are a few of the people that make up the NKU Music Preparatory Adult Beginning Steel Drum Band.

....The Adult Beginning Steel Drum Band is open to adults in the community, regardless of their musical background. This is the first time the class is a non-credit offering, but teacher Stan Ginn has been teaching steel drums to enrolled NKU students for credit since about 2010, he said.
see more


Web Posted - Monday October 31, 2022
When Steel Talks

Antigua and Barbuda 2022 Schools Junior Panorama - Results: Princess Margaret and Pigotts Primary School Steel Orchestras are Champions

Princess Margaret Secondary School Steel Orchestra - Champions
Princess Margaret Secondary School Steel Orchestra - Champions

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - ....Pigotts Primary School Steel Orchestra bested its two fellow competitors, while Princess Margaret Secondary School Steel Orchestra triumphed in their category, dethroning title defenders Antigua Girls’ High School (AGHS). In all, five at secondary and three at primary levels reveled in the spotlight at the venue of the Antigua Recreation Grounds on October 31, 2022, as do their counterparts at the National Panorama Competition.
see more


Web Posted - Monday October 31, 2022
When Steel Talks

Antigua and Barbuda 2022 Schools Junior Panorama - Live Stream

Flag of Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua & Barbuda, W.I. - This is the Live Stream of the country’s Schools’ Panorama Competition at the Antigua Recreation Grounds on October 31, 2022.  Eight steel orchestras, five from secondary schools and three from the primary level will participate.
see livestream


Web Posted - Monday October 31, 2022
When Steel Talks

Meet Television, Film & Video Game Music Composer, Orchestrator, Arranger, Actor, Performer, Educator and Panist - Dike Samai - UpClose!

WST Upclose logo

Global - ....When Steel Talks has been following the career of Dike Samai for a number of years now. His positivity, forward thinking and energy are infectious, in addition to his undeniable talents and accomplishments that make him an automatic triple-threat plus. This multi-talented film, television & video game music composer, orchestrator, arranger, actor, performer, educator and panist from Trinidad and Tobago, is destined to reset the bar and introduce new artistic standards for pan and film.

In an exclusive interview with When Steel Talks, Dike speaks on his journey and achievements through passion, hard work, and determination.
see interview


Web Posted - Friday October 28, 2022
When Steel Talks

Destination Spanish Harlem - New York City Street Co-Named for the Legendary Cicely Tyson

CASYM Steel Orchestra Performs

Members of CASYM Steel Orchestra’s stage side with artist J. Moses  Harper and her painting of Cicely Tyson, before the band performed
Members of CASYM Steel Orchestra’s stage side with artist J. Moses Harper and her painting of Cicely Tyson, before the band performed

New York, USA - WST (When Steel Talks) was there to join in the celebration and honoring of the late great legendary Cicely Tyson, with the co-naming (renaming) of the block on which she grew up, on East 101st Street, to “Cicely Tyson Way.”  After the part of the event preceding the official unveiling, the wide-ranging entertainment segment got underway.

Included, and representing her roots - the Caribbean aspect of Cicely Tyson’s life - was CASYM Steel Orchestra which straight up stole the show when it was their turn to shine. They dropped a volley of hits and crowd-pleasers that had the attendees calling for more.
see more


Web Posted - Thursday October 27, 2022
Trinidad & Tobago Guardian

Minister welcomes return of North Stand

Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell
Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell

Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell says he supports the National Carnival Commission’s (NCC) decision to bring back the North Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah for Carnival 2023.

The stand was closed in 2018 as it was deemed by the NCC as too expensive to build. The stand had traditionally facilitated not only Pan Trinbago’s Panorama events but the Dimanche Gras show, King and Queen of the Bands competition, Parade of the Bands and calypso tent clashes during the Carnival season.

Mitchell noted that the NCC had indicated to him that the cost of erecting the North Stand could be repaid through hosting one pan event.
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
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





When Steel Talks

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

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

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