Pan Alive 2026 - Toronto Panorama Results: PanMasters Steel Orchestra Victorious with Arranger Rudo Forteau

RESULTS

Toronto, Ontario, Canada - It was an upset; musical pandemonium reigned at Pan Alive 2026 for the Toronto Panorama, as the last competitor - PanMasters Steel Orchestra - took the title away from the band that triumphed in 2025, Pan Fantasy Steelband. The latter was aiming for its twelfth consecutive title; instead PanMasters clinched the championship when they executed arranger Rudo Forteau’s music reenvisioning the late legendary calypsonian Shadow’s Feeling the Feeling.

But it was still one love as the arrangers for both bands, Forteau and Al Foster embraced mere minutes after. The steelpan community Diaspora is generally tight-knit so it was not surprising.

It is the first Panorama championship for PanMasters led by veteran panman Tommy Crichlow. The first-time collaboration between New Dimension Steel Orchestra and Tobagonian arranger Micheal Toby—resident arranger for Redemption Sound Setters—resulted in third place.

Pan indeed came alive for another year at the Lamport Stadium where the seven steel orchestras of varying skill sets and sizes took part in the annual steelband music competition. The scale of the event is much smaller than in Trinidad and Tobago, the home of Pan; however the art form’s aficionados are just as fervent. Starting around 8:30 p.m. attendees were first treated to the talents of the Afropan Youth Steel Orchestra along with other cultural performances, before the Forest Creek Pathway Steelpan Orchestra officially got the competitive component underway.

The music flowed through the evening per the order of appearance, with penultimate band Pan Fantasy striking up at 11:30 p.m. and final band and eventual winner PanMasters having their musical say circa midnight.

The period between the end of the competition and its results was another musical showcase when ‘all dem Tobago gals’ and guys featured prominently in Redemption Sound Setters Steel Orchestra. The steelpan musicians from Trinidad’s sister isle Tobago struck up around 12:25 a.m., serving up a music set of almost thirty minutes, delighting pan music lovers with their varied repertoire. For those who could not get enough of Redemption’s music, there are a couple more opportunities to see the group in the coming days including Sunday’s Pan In D Park and  the Blue Food Blocko on Monday August 3.

Shortly before 1:00 a.m. results were ready, and when it became clear that PanMasters had won, there were hoots, cheers, shouts, high jumps and hugs all around, tears and triumphant grins as band members, arranger Rudo Forteau, leader Tommy “Uncle Tommy” Crichlow all took in the moment, and even more.

For those who were not able to be at the Toronto Panorama in person, one option to catch the event was via YouTube streamer and cultural activist Tisha “I am living My Life.” She facilitated a live stream which started hours before the competition. Tisha chatted with and informally interviewed players, pan tuners, steelpan enthusiasts et al, as bands unpacked instruments and warmed up for competition. The interaction continued throughout and until the end of the show. As much as possible, Tisha journeys to various countries to support and showcase carnival and Caribbean cultural events year-round, wherever there is a contingent Caribbean Diaspora. 

Pan Alive was produced by the Ontario Steelpan Association (OSA). Following are the results for Pan Alive 2026 / Toronto Panorama:

  Panorama images source:  YouTube screen grabs, courtesy I am living My Life.

** subject to revision

Related content:

• Pan Alive 2026 Toronto Panorama - Live Stream
• Pan Alive 2026 - Order of Appearance
• Toronto Panorama Winners through the years

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