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The
Pan Sonatas
represents steelband royalty. This New York heavyweight is the oldest active steelband music organization in the country. Respected throughout the world for its musical prowess, Sonatas has performed throughout the years with distinction. Sonatas has won more steelband music panorama competitions
in North America than any other steelband with a total of seven New York championships.
The
organization is approaching its 35th year of existence, and
is very proud of its achievements, progress and development. Sonatas
is practically pleased with the winning team they have put together:
excellent pannists, strong management team, a superb arranger
- Yohan Popwell - and renowned tuner, Bertram “Birch” Kellman who is the
caretaker and producer of their world class music instruments.
Pan Sonatas, Inc. has won the
New York Steel Band Panorama Competitions in 1981, 1982, 1983, 1985,
1988, 1989 and 2004 and has been in the top three in every other
Panorama since 1972, their first year of participation. Panorama is a
competition for steel bands, also known as “pan” held during the Labor
Day American – West Indian Carnival celebrations, with each steel band
or “pan side” playing one of the current year’s calypso or soca hits.
Since most of the founding
members were from Gasparillo, South Trinidad, West Indies and were also
former members of the Moonlight Sonatas Steel Orchestra of the same
district, it was no surprise that the name of choice of this band was the
New York Sonatas Steel Orchestra, now Pan Sonatas, Inc.
Pan Sonatas, Inc. has performed
at many events, some of which include: Madison Square Garden Annual
Mother’s Day Calypso Extravaganza from 1983 through 1986; Carnegie Hall
which featured the Mighty Sparrow in 1984; Atlanta’s first annual West
Indian Carnival in 1989, annual West Indian Carnivals in Connecticut,
Baltimore and Brooklyn, West Point in honor of the cadets, Rhode Island
in honor of Prince Charles and numerous boat rides, dances, balls,
parties, indoor and outdoor events.
"Our main objective is to educate
and rehabilitate all young people through the music of the steelband.
The drug-free environment we provide our members has been one of the
hallmarks of our success.
Pan Sonatas, Inc. is embarking
on a program of self-improvement, to promote the steel band locally and
internationally. We will need all the support we can get. As we strive
for excellence, we will demand more of ourselves, a stronger commitment
of our pannists and the support of you, the public, in order to rise to
greater heights.
Pan Sonatas, Inc."
Contact Sonatas at 1(718) 496-5133
Click To See Sonatas Picture Gallery
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