From the News Desk of Robbie Joseph / Panpodium: www.panpodium.com

UK

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• Order of Appearance
• Participants
• Past Panorama Results
• 2006 Panorama Results *
• Complete Review & Pictures

• Mangrove Steel Band
• Glissando Steel Orchestra
• Stardust Steel Orchestra
• Real Steel Orchestra
• Metronomes Steel Orchestra

• Ebony Steel Band
• Southside Harmonics Steel Orchestra
• Croydon Steel Orchestr
• Pantasia Steel Orchestra

2006 NATIONAL PANORAMA COMPETITION

This year the UK Pan Community celebrates the 28th Anniversary of the Notting Hill Panorama, ‘Champions of Steel’ competition on the 26^th August 2006 at the Horniman’s Pleasance, Kensal Road, Ladbroke Grove, London.  In 1964, Rhaune Laslette, the organiser of the inaugural Notting Hill Children’s Neighbourhood Festival invited the Russell Henderson steelband to perform. Steelband music was the first recognised form of music to appear at the Carnival and continues to play an important role in what is now termed the largest street festival in Europe and possibly the world with the exception of Brazil’s Carnival.  Russell was named in the Queen’s birthday honours list to receive an MBE for his contribution to music, a well-deserved award for an accomplished musician.

This annual national steelband musical battle will see top UK bands vying for the coveted title of the Notting Hill, ‘Champions of Steel’ with great enthusiasm and vigour.  The only explosion to be witnessed on the night will be a musical one. Nine steel orchestras with over 500 pan musicians who will practice for hundreds of hours and play thousands of pan instruments on the night.  An explosion of sweet steel pan music ringing out calypso and soca musical renditions from the past as well as the present.  The audience will be in awe when hit by these inspiring musical pieces that will leave them swaying from left to right in unison.  Notting Hill Carnival’s theme for 2006 is ASPIRING AND ACHIEVING IN UNITY. You only have to take a look around the pan yards to realise the teamwork displayed by pannists is the perfect example to promote this theme.

Over the past four years the UK pan fraternity has seen an influx of young ‘local’ pan arrangers develop into established musicians and also winning the coveted title.  Kyron Akal, the winning arranger of the 2004 competition no doubt will be pulling out all stops to recapture the title.  Real Steel’s Leroy Clarke who has attained third and fourth positions in this competition over the past four years will continue his quest. The talented Brent Holder who took Stardust to second place last year will undoubtedly be seeking victory this year.  Paul Dowie of Croydon Steel Orchestra joined this competition in 2003 and has instilled a great sense of competitiveness in his band of young pan musicians and a new entrant this year in the likes of Chris Storey who has steered Pantasia to success in the BAS Pan Explosion competition in 2005/6 will be hoping to continue his winning streak in this competition. These young arrangers will certainly have a musical war on their hands when they come up against the likes of established pan arrangers Anise ’Halfers’ Hadeed, who holds the world title for winning the most steelband Panorama competitions, world renowned Rudy ‘Two Lef’ Smith and Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore and established UK arranger, Eustace Benjamin.  

Kensal Road will be the venue to be on the evening of the 26^th August if you want to experience the wealth of steelband music on offer.  The British Association of Steelbands would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Carnival 2006.

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  UK 2006 NATIONAL PANORAMA COMPETITION

ORDER OF APPEARANCE:

1.         Mangrove Steel Band

2.         Glissando Steel Orchestra

3.         Croydon Steel Orchestra

4.         Southside Harmonics Steel Orchestra

5.         Stardust Steel Orchestra

6.         Pantasia Steel Orchestra

7.         Ebony Steel Band

8.         Metronomes Steel Orchestra

9.         Real Steel Orchestra

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2006 NATIONAL PANORAMA COMPETITION

Participants

Mangrove Steel Band

Mangrove was formed in 1980 by Trinidadians in the Ladbroke Grove area who wanted to keep the music and culture of the Caribbean alive.  Since then the band has gained great success in the Notting Hill Panorama championships over the years, winning on seven occasions and runners up six other times, they are the “Millennium Champions of Steel”.  Being very active in the Notting Hill Carnival has seen them win various prizes from “Best Band on the Road” to “Biggest Band on the Road”.  Mangrove is acclaimed to be the most travelled band in Europe and celebrates their 26^th anniversary this year.

Manager:                    Matthew Phillip

Arranger:                    Kyron Akal

Tuners:                       Michael ‘Bubbles’ Olivierre

Captain:                Andrew Facey

Tune:                          Soca Warrior – De Fosto

Pan Yard Address:    The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W10  6AU

Practice Times:          Mon – Fri:  7pm – 10pm

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Glissando Steel Orchestra

Formed in 1978 by Bertrand Parris, Glissando Steel Orchestra is a leading light in the Caribbean community in Britain.  They are proud to be the only steel orchestra that has the first purpose built sound proofed panyard in Britain. They won the first GLC Capital Radio Music Festival in 1983 and went on to capture the title for the next two consecutive years, the only band to achieve this distinction. They are a culturally diverse International Steel Orchestra, regularly accommodating players from Europe and the Caribbean and recognised as being professional, innovative and talented. They achieved second place in the 1997 Panorama competition and captured third place in 1978, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004. Glissando celebrates their 28^th anniversary this year.

Manager:        Chris Cox

Assistant Arranger:     Laurent Lalsingué

Arranger:         Rudy ‘Two Lef’ Smith

Tuners:            Clifford Alfred

Captain:          Chris Cox

Tune:   Colours Again – Destra Garcia

Pan Yard Address:   Venture playground, 103a Wornington Road, London, W10

Practice Times:          Mon – Fri: 7pm – 12pm.  Sun: 3pm - 8pm

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Croydon Steel Orchestra

CSO was formed in the summer of 2000 after the Croydon Schools Steel Orchestra folded.  CSO consists of pan musicians from two regional area steel bands in the borough of Croydon namely Addington and Woodside.  They performed at the 2001 BAS Pan Explosion competition celebrating the 50^th anniversary of Steelpan in the UK.  In 2002, fifteen players from the band played with the much-acclaimed London All Stars Steel Orchestra at the Notting Hill Panorama, ‘Champions of Steel’ competition.   This valuable experience assisted CSO in capturing 7^th position at their first Panorama competition in 2003, 6^th place in 2004 and 7^th place in 2005. They celebrate their 6^th anniversary this year.

Manager:                      Paul Dowie

Arranger:                       Paul Dowie

Tuner:                           Clifford Parris

Captain:                        Kerry Hughes/Nicholas Wellcome

Tune:                            Good Times – Denyse Plummer

Pan Yard Address:       Fairchildes Primary School, Fairchildes Ave, Croydon.

Practice Times:             Mon – Fri – 4pm – 8:30pm  

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Southside Harmonics Steel Orchestra

Formed in 1979, they were formerly called Lambeth Community Youth Steel band. Southside Harmonics are regular performers at the BAS Trafalgar Square Pan Jamboree and continue to be a focal point in their communities for young musicians. Their youthful membership ensures their continuity and development of the steel pan art form.  They achieved third place in 1994/ 1995 and fourth in 1993/1996 in the Notting Hill Panorama competition.  They won the ‘On the Road’ competition in 1994/1995 whilst placing second in 1992.  They returned to the competition in 2003 after a two-year break and were adjudged 10^th in the Panorama.  In 2005, they achieved 3^rd place. Southside celebrates their 27^th anniversary this year.

Manager:                    Julian Gibbs

Arranger:                    Eustace Benjamin

Tuner:                         J.P – ‘Blue Boy’

Captain:                      Julian Gibbs

Tune:                          Musical Treat – Diamond Skatie

Pan Yard Address:     Willington Adventure Playground, Willington Road, London SW4

Practice Times:          Wed & Fri:  7pm – 10p.m

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Stardust Steel Orchestra

Formed in 1983, the orchestra comprises of thirty to fifty players during the Panorama season and reduces to a smaller group for the rest of the year; their players come from local schools and community.  Over the past twenty years, they have appeared at every panorama competition except in 2001 when an unfortunate accident with their float prevented their participation. This year Stardust has attracted an influx of new players through their musical arranger, Brent Holder, who has brought a new life. Stardust has achieved third place in the Notting Hill Panorama in 1986, 1987 and second in 1989. They celebrate their 23^rd anniversary this year.

Manager:                 Rhonda & Adrian Baptiste

Arranger:                       Brent Holder

Tuner:                           Jason Holder

Captain:                        Tara Baptiste and Miles Pascall

Tune:                            This one is for you Bradley - Ronnie Macintosh/Boogsie

Pan Yard Address:       Acton Vale Community Centre, Beech Ave London W3

Practice Times:             Thurs/Fri:  7pm – 10pm

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Pantasia Steel Orchestra

Pantasia Steel Band was founded in 1995 when a few friends decided to set up a 'gigging' side. Pantasia has attracted players from Haringey schools and others who have experience of performing at national and international arenas such as Notting Hill and Trinidad carnivals.

Pantasia has a wealth of multi-talented players, some of whom teach in schools and aspire to become musical arrangers. In 2005 and 2006, Pantasia were victorious at the BAS Pan Explosion competition held in Portsmouth and Birmingham respectively. This was truly an enjoyable, memorable and learning experience for the band. They are also a favourite at BAS Trafalgar Square Pan Jamboree where they have performed on several occasions. This is Pantasia's first appearance at the BAS ‘Champions of Steel’ competition.

Manager:                    Pauline Williams

Arranger:                     Chris Storey

Tuner:                         Grafton Yearwood

Captain:                      Ziggy Grier

Tune:                           Max It Up – Destra Garcia

Pan Yard Address:      Lordship Lane Primray School, Tottenham, London.

Practice Times:           Mon/Wed/Thur – 6pm – 9:30pm  

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Ebony Steel Orchestra

Ebony, founded in 1968, lays claim to being “Europe’s finest”, have built a reputation for musical excellence both nationally and internationally winning the Notting Hill Panorama fourteen times with nine consecutive wins. They can be dubbed the World Champions of Panorama, as no other steel band in the World has equalled this feat. In 2000 and 2002, they were crowned the European Champions of the European Steelband Music Festival and placed fourth and third respectively in the World finals held in Trinidad in October 2000/2002. Ebony has been at the forefront of steelband music for the past decade in Britain and runs a successful program for people with disabilities. Ebony celebrates their 38^th anniversary this year.

Director:                        Pepe Francis

Arranger:                       Anise ‘Halfers’ Hadeed

Tuner:                           Toussaint Clarke

Captain:                        Albert Faustine

Tune:                            Colours Again -  Destra Garcia

Pan Yard Address:        Burlington Dane School, Wood Lane, Shepherds Bush, White City,

                                      London, W12

Practice Times:             Mon – Fri   8pm- 11pm

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Metronomes Steel Orchestra

The Metronomes Steel Orchestra was formed in 1973. This family based steel band is an established UK steel pan icon. MSO is committed to the principle that all people have the right to equal treatment.  The orchestra has two main principles, to promote the steel pan art form and Carnival culture in the UK and to play a positive role within the community and to encourage musical development and self-confidence for all.  They have had several major achievements, e.g. appearance in ‘Songs of Praise’, winners at the first UK classical steel band music festival, the opening of the Channel Tunnel, BAS Pan Explosion winners in 2000 and 2001, UK National Panorama winners four times, runners up five times and placed third four times to name a few. They are prominent in the UK steelpan community and are at the forefront of steel orchestral music in the UK. They have been away from this competition for one year and their appearance this year will increase the musicality of the competition. They celebrate their 33^rd anniversary this year.

Manager:               Eversley ‘Breeze’ Mills

Arranger:                    Ken ‘Professor’ Philmore

Tuners:                       Grafton Yearwood and Toussaint Clarke

Captain:                      Joel ‘Tubbs’ Hamilton-Mills

Tune:                          This one is for U Bradley – Ronnie Macintosh/Boogsie

Pan Yard Address:    Meanwhile Gardens, Kensal Road, London W10

Practice Times:          Mon – Fri:  8pm – 11:30pm.  Sun: 4pm - 10pm

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Real Steel Orchestra

From an eight-strong outfit in 1991, Real Steel has scaled the heights of professional success. After playing on the road at Notting Hill Carnival for seven years, Real Steel decided to compete in the 2002 Panorama contest for the first time. Its 45-50 players included ex-members of Real Steel and players from other bands in France, London, Thornbury, Bath, Portsmouth, and Swindon. Their rendition of the ‘Bomb’ earned them third place.  In the 2003 they achieved fifth place and fourth in 2004.  They celebrate their 15^th anniversary this year.

Manager:                      Julie Wilkins

Arranger:                       Leroy Clarke

Tuners:                         Toussaint Clarke

Captains:                      Sebastian Clarke

Tune:                            High on the Pan – Eunice Peters

Pan Yard Address:       The Soundhouse, Miller Way, Estover, Plymouth.

Practice Times:             Tues, Thurs and Sundays:  7pm - 12pm

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UK NATIONAL PANORAMA COMPETITIONS

Previous results

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From the News Desk of Robbie Joseph / Panpodium: www.panpodium.com
Mail: robbie@panpodium.com

All photos by Robbie Joseph

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