New York, USA
- If celebrated composers such as Bach and Beethoven were alive today and in
New York, it would be hard to imagine that they would not be arrangers and
composers participating in New York Panorama.
This coming Saturday, the massive steel orchestras — with hundreds of
instruments and upwards of 100 players each — will literally roll onto the
Brooklyn Museum grounds to participate in the annual New York steelband
music Panorama contest. In tow, ensnared in a musical bond, will be
thousands of fans, enthusiasts and supporters from the world over.
The event is held annually in New York
as part of the five-day
West Indian Carnival
and Parade, and will
take place this year
on Sept. 5 starting at
8 p.m. Panorama remains
the biggest
draw of the events
sponsored by the West Indian
American Day Carnival Association
during pre-Labor day festivities.
What is Panorama? At its most
basic definition, it’s simply a distinguished
steelband music competition,
and much more than a
singular occurrence. It is an experience
— one inextricably interwoven
with the human spirit’s essence
to define oneself, survive,
conquer its environment, showcase
genius, progress and validate
its humanity while aspiring
to communal greatness.
Panorama is the most significant
New York performing arts
medium in the last 50 years, bar
none.
On paper, this 10-minute musical
performance of the competing
bands calls for the execution
of a series of dexterous, imaginative
innovations demonstrating
top musicianship.
In reality, it is a creative exhibition
that must connect with some
of the most demanding critics,
while simultaneously housing
and propelling a community’s
dreams and commitment.
Ten minutes of distinction,
fame, attention. Ten minutes annually
— to sum up the sacrifices,
work and efforts of a season,
community and each individual
involved.
It’s truly an exhilarating experience
for competitors and spectators
alike, and few events can
match Panorama’s intensity, pageantry
and creativity.
It is magnificently elegant,
Olympic-styled in competitiveness,
drama, tension — with the
fervent loyalty of a Super Bowl-styled
fan base where the euphoria
of performing live
is supreme.
It’s the thrill of victory,
the agony of defeat
and more.
One might expect
to simply get a Caribbean
experience from
the event, but a further
look reveals a
deeper introspective.
New York Panorama
can be more accurately characterized
as another facet of America’s
performing arts and psyche,
richly reflective of the nation’s
immigrant history, but primarily
expressive of the impact of Caribbean
culture.
There are panorama competitions
all over the globe, but New
York’s is unique, with decades of
intrigue, history and tradition.
Legendary jazz great Max
Roach, well-acquainted with the
steel orchestra after experiencing
Panorama live, said that the
steelpan instrument belonged on
a “world stage.”
In New York’s Panorama, participants,
fans and organizations
have put themselves on a path to
accomplish just that by creating
an esteemed position for the
unique Caribbean art form in the
city.
The Panorama musical phenomenon
has done much popularize
the steel orchestra in the
U.S., particularly among the
youth. Given the contentious disconnect
and often hostile environment
that is New York for steelbands,
it is astonishing the culture
has survived, maintaining,
and even increasing, its distinction.
Darius Gamory, 15
(pictured right), is a member
of the Pantonic Steel Orchestra,
playing for three years.
“Nothing compares to pan. I
feel great!” declared Darius, who
this year is heading for his third
Panorama competition.
Many Panorama players have
developed into career musicians;
several New York Panorama
youngsters are pursing music college
degrees.
Then-18-year-old musician extraordinaire
André White, who
lead ADLIB Steel Orchestra
to its
first Panorama victory in 2008
(the youngest to ever achieve
such a feat), is now a full-time
student at the prestigious Berklee
College of Music.
New York’s steelband panorama
is truly an American experience
with authentic Trinidad-Caribbean
origins; it is high culture.
Ultimately, New York Panorama
is a love affair between participants
and fans bordering on
“madness” when one considers
the mind-boggling outlay in
finances, energy and emotion.
It is a positive obsession that
continues to elevate New York’s
artistic and cultural platform.
When Steel Talks...
Everybody Listens!!
Get your WST T-Shirt
now!
Click to
order
|
Follow
When Steel Talks on
|
