Babonneau Steel Orchestra on stage during its championship
performance at the 2026 Saint Lucia Panorama
Castries, Saint Lucia, W.I. - Babonneau Steel Orchestra tasted triumph once again as they emerged 2026 National Panorama champions for a ninth time. Allison Marquis, the band’s resident champion arranger brought out the best for the night in the judges’ opinion with his vision and the steel orchestra’s performance of the favored classic Hilary {Riding West} by Rootsy.
Babonneau was rewarded with the top prize of EC $60,000 (circa US $22,167) and championship trophy for coming out on top in this year’s Panorama.
Babonneau Steel Orchestra’s champion arranger Allison Marquis, in
white, wearing glasses - presented with trophy and check for his
band
It was the same tune of choice for the 2025 title defenders, Pantime Steel Orchestra, which also wowed steelband music lovers in the audience, but dethroned nonetheless - had to settle for second place this year. Still, EC $50,000 (circa US $18,474) along with a trophy came with the band’s placing.
In the solo spotlight, also relegated to the second spot this year was last year’s winner, Jesse Nurse. In fact it was newcomer to the competition Chazzi Desrivieres who took home the trophy and top prize of EC $2,500 (circa US $925). He opted for a Hannibal Lecter-style mask coupled with attire evoking comparison with a straitjacket to round out his musical presentation of tune of choice, Sedale’s Insane.
Soloists left to right: Kannis Desrivieres, 2026 National Soloist
champion Chazzi Desrivieres, Omar Gabriel and Jesse Nurse
Unlike the two previous years, the weather cooperated in fine form and was a stellar backdrop for a night of national steelband pride in Saint Lucia, as the five steel orchestras and four steelpan soloists shone on stage. The SAB, Vigie, in Castries was alive with the sounds of competitive steelpan music in the annual Panorama, always part of the Carnival season experience. Lucian Carnival aka Carnival Saint Lucia once more facilitated an online broadcast of the event.
Following are the results for the Panorama and Soloists competitions:
2026 St. Lucia National Panorama - RESULTS |
|||
| Placing / Points / Prize | Band / # of Players |
Selection/ Performer |
Arranger, Tuner, et al |
| 1st 247.5 EC $60,000 |
Babonneau Steel Orchestra
85 |
Hilary {Riding West} (Kewin “Rootsy” Pierre) |
Arranger: Allison Marquis Tuner: Captain: Manager: Marylin Mc Donald |
| 2nd 244.5 EC $50,000 |
Pantime Steel Orchestra
85 |
Hilary {Riding West} (Kewin “Rootsy” Pierre) |
Arranger: Terrance “BJ” Marcelle Captain: Tamarah Trim Drillers: Valton Oculien & Andrew Charles Manager & Leader: Cecil “Tortee” Philgence |
| 3rd 226 EC $40,000 |
Pantastic Muzik Steel Orchestra
85 |
Boom Bye Bye (“Messanger”) |
Arranger: Krystal Nestor Tuner: Juma Simmons Captains: Catherine Edmund & Lyndel St. Rose Driller: Aaron Smith Manager: Georgiana Nestor |
| 4th 224 EC $35,000 |
Laborie Steel Pan
50 |
Cyah Believe It (“Sylvinus “Sly” Charles”) |
Arranger: Andrius Edwide Tuners: Kayle Noel & Ryan Roberts Captain: Christopher Chicot Band leader: Quill Barthelmy Manager: Labowi Promotions |
| Result / Points not announced for the following band in the competition | |||
| Dennery Steel Orchestra |
St. Jude (“Herb Black” aka Anthony Sylvester Lewis) |
Arranger: David Olliver Captain: ---- Tuner: ---- Manager ----- |
|
Panorama images source: YouTube screen grabs
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