Pan Trinbago’s Year in Review 2024
January 2024: Panorama Season Kicks Off
The steelpan community began the year with excitement as preparations for the 2024 Panorama competition dominated January. The year began with intense planning for Panorama 2024 competition, Come Home to the Rhythms of Steel- Feel It! Love It! Share It! Pan Trinbago made history with the announcement of bpTT as the Title Sponsor for Panorama 2024, marking the first time a corporate entity had taken such a significant role in supporting the competition. This partnership brought new energy and resources to the event, elevating its profile nationally and internationally.
The month of January featured the
- Small Conventional Bands finals,
- Junior Panorama Finals
- And one of the most anticipated events of the season, the bpTT Savannah Party- the Medium and Large Conventional Steelbands Semi-Finals categories.
Small Conventional Finals - Results
- T&TEC New East Side Dimension - Toco Band – 283
2. T&T Defence Force Steel Orchestra - Ben Lion - 280
3. Uptown Fascinators - Chutney Bacchanal - 279
4. La Horquetta Pan Groove - Spring Garden on Fire - 278
5. Fusion Steel - Free Up – 277
5. St Margaret's Super Stars - Somebody - 277
7. Golden Hands - Tension - 276
7. First Citizens Pan-Thers - Teaser – 276
9. Tokyo – Sing In She Party - 275
9. Arima Golden Symphony - Doh Back Back - 275
9. Harvard Harps Steel Orchestra - 275
9. Our Boys - Say Say - 275
13. Fascinators Pan Symphony - Deputy - 274
14. Road Block Steel Orchestra - Jahaji Bhai - 268
14. Panosonic Connection - Ragga Ragga – 268
National Junior Panorama Results
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January closed with the most anticipated event of the Carnival season. The bpTT Savannah Party- Medium and Large Bands Semi-Finals.
February 2024: Panorama Finals and Cultural Celebrations
The heart of Carnival celebrations featured the inaugural South-Central Pan Champs, the Medium Conventional Bands, and the Large Conventional Bands Panorama Finals, held at Skinner Park, San Fernando, Parade Grounds, Bacelot, Tobago and the Queen’s Park Savannah. After a series of thrilling preliminaries and semi-finals, the best steel orchestras competed for the coveted title.
Winners of Panorama 2024:
Ken Professor Philmore South Central Pan Champs: Fusion Steel won
Medium Band Category
Katzenjammers retained their title with the late Merchant’s “Rock It" making them back-to-back winners, having won the category in 2023.
Large Band Category
BP Renegades claimed their 13th title, tying with Massy Trinidad All Stars, who secured their 11th championship, in a truly electrifying showdown. The defending champions, Renegades, had the crowd on their feet with their transcendent performance of Mical Teja’s -DNA, masterfully arranged by Duvone Stewart. Meanwhile, Massy Trinidad All Stars captivated the audience with their brilliant depiction of Olatunji Yearwood's -Inventor, expertly arranged by Leon "Smooth" Edwards. This victory marked Edwards' 10th title as an arranger in the Large Conventional Bands category, making him the most decorated arranger in the category's history and breaking his previous tie with the legendary Jit Samaroo.
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This tie was reminiscent of 1985, when BP Renegades and Desperadoes both delivered an historic showdown both performing Lord Kitchener’s Pan Night and Day. This was the second time in history of Panorama that two bands tied for the first position. Renegades’ rendition was arranged by the legendary Jit Samaroo, while Desperadoes’ version was shaped by the talented Beverly Griffith. This iconic moment once again found new life in the present, as Renegades and All Stars once again demonstrate the brilliance and fierce competition of steelpan excellence. In 1971 Harmonites and Starlift tied for first. Harmonites played "Play Mas' by Lord Kitchener and arranged by Earl Rodney while Starlift played "Queen of the Bands" by Sparrow and arranged by Ray Holman
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The finals showcased Trinidad and Tobago Steelband's creativity, as bands brought elaborate stage designs, props and creative arrangements that wowed audiences.
The month of February closed off with Carnival Lagniappe with performances by the winners of all the events for Carnival 2024.
Thank you to Our Sponsors for Panorama 2025
March 2024: Reflection and Promotion of the Steelpan
March saw Pan Trinbago deepening its promotion of the steelpan as an
integral part of Trinidad and Tobago’s cultural identity, seeking greater
recognition for the instrument both locally and abroad.
April 2024: Prize Distribution Ceremony
In April, Pan Trinbago held it Prize Distribution Ceremony for the winners of Panorama 2024.
A major highlight of April was the announcement of Steelpan is More
Beautiful 2024 under the theme "Canopeum Amoris – A Canopy of
Love", held under the patronage of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and
Tobago, The Honourable Dr. Keith Rowley setting the tone for the year's
festival.
May 2024: Adjudication Workshops
May emphasized steelpan’s global influence with adjudication workshops.
June 2024: Steelpan Festival Launch and Preliminaries Begin
June saw the launch of the highly anticipated Steelpan is More
Beautiful Festival, after an 11-year hiatus under the patronage of Prime
Minister Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley. The festival was launched on June 20, 2024 at the
Radisson Ballroom.
The festival celebrated the steelpan's versatility and included test
pieces from David Rudder such as “Oil and Music” for Ensembles, “Engine
Room” for Single Pan Bands, and “Dedication” for orchestras.
The month of June also saw an historic collaboration with Pan Trinbago
and the Inter-American Development Bank for the Digital Skills for Youth
Programme.
July 2024: Steelpan Declared as the National Musical Instrument of
Trinidad and Tobago and Single Pan Band Finals – Steelpan is More Beautiful
2024
July marked the declaration of the Steelpan as Trinidad and Tobago’s
National Musical Instrument paving the way for greater global recognition.
Single Pan Band Finals for Steelpan is More Beautiful 2024,was held at Queens Hall, where Unistars won with their soulful performance of “Engine Room" and "Ocean” scoring 471 and 485 respectively.
The Ensemble and Orchestra preliminaries held in the pan yards also
captivated audiences, bringing energy and innovation to communities as bands
showcased their skill and creativity.
August 2024: Pan Month and the World Steelpan Festival
August declared Steel Pan Month and featured a collaboration with
Pan Trinbago and the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts with week-long
celebration of the steelpan under the World Steelpan Festival, which
included:
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·
World Steelpan Conference (August 9): Held at Hyatt Regency, the conference
explored steelpan’s global impact, featuring scholars, musicians, and cultural
activists.
At the conference Senator The Honourable Randall Mitchell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts announced that Trinidad
and Tobago had achieved a historical milestone by gaining Geographical
Indication for the Steelpan and all its accessories. According to the
Trinidad and Tobago Geographical Indications Act, a GI is defined as ‘an
indication which identifies a good as originating in the territory of a
country, or a region or locality in that territory, where a given quality,
reputation or other characteristic of the good is essentially attributable to
its geographical origin.
·
Pan Yard Jams (August 10): Simultaneous Steelband performances across pan yards in the Northern
region – Desperadoes, Eastern region- Republic Bank Exodus, and
South-Central region- Heritage Petroleum -Skiffle, showcasing vibrant
music and community spirit.
·
World Steelpan Day Celebration (August 11): This was the second celebration of World
Steelpan Day after the United Nations declaration in 2023. This year's edition included
the Ancestral Walk and a grand concert at Woodford Square, Port of Spain with
eleven Single Pan Bands along the route, eight bands within the Square which
included the National Symphony Steel Orchestra and pieces from International Steel
bands from England, United States of and America and Japan.
·
Ensemble Bands Finals
The Ensemble Bands Finals was held on Saturday 17th August 2024
at Queens Hall, Port of Spain. Golden Hands Steel Orchestra did a clean sweep,
winning every category.
- Overall Winner - Golden Hands
- Best Test Piece - Golden Hands
- Best Tune of Choice - Golden Hands
- Best Dressed - Golden Hands
· Pan and Powder Parade (August 21st): The first installment of the Steelpan and Powder parade 2024 started at City Hall, Port of Spain. Pan Trinbago partnered with the Port of Spain City Corporation. Steel bands gathered at City Hall and played while revelers danced, throwing colorful powders in the air.
·
Orchestra Conventional Bands Finals
The Orchestra Finals was a highly anticipated event with the return to the
Jean Pierre complex. Katzenjammers won the Best Test Piece on the night
and Republic Bank Exodus won the Tune of Choice and were declared the
winners of Steelpan is More Beautiful 2024- Canopeum Amoris.
President Beverley Ramsey Moore gifted the Honourable Prime Minister his first Steelpan at the Orchestra Finals.
During his
address to the audience at the Orchestra Finals Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley
confirmed Pan Trinbago’s new headquarters will be constructed at the old post
office site on Wrightson Road in Port of Spain.
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· Thanksgiving/ Blessing of the Flags (August 25th): Pan Trinbago held its ceremonial event symbolizing unity among the steel bands.
September 2024: International and National Recognition for Pan
Trinbago’s President
The month of September started as President Beverley Ramsey-Moore returned
with six awards she received during her trip to New York.
The accolades were presented during the 57th Annual New York Carnival
Parade and acknowledge her contributions to the steelpan movement and
commitment to cultural diplomacy.
On August 31st, 2024, during New York Carnival Week, President
Ramsey-Moore was honoured with several distinguished awards, including:
1. Certificate of Recognition for her exemplary
leadership and unwavering service to the Trinidad and Tobago community.
2. Certificate of Special
Recognition, highlighting her invaluable contributions to the community.
3. Proclamation
celebrating her noble accomplishments, exemplary service, and lifetime of good
citizenship as a cultural ambassador.
4. Certificate of
Recognition for outstanding dedication as cultural ambassador
5. Citation acknowledging
her selfless public service and significant role in the development of the
Steelpan culture at the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA)
Panorama.
6. New York State Assembly Citation, recognizing President Ramsey-Moore’s exemplary contributions to her community through unique achievements and dedication to the Steelpan.
The month also featured Pan Yard Jams -Tobago edition and Tobago region- annual Thanksgiving service.
One of the proudest moments for Pan Trinbago was when our President, Mrs. Beverley Ramsey-Moore, was awarded the prestigious Hummingbird Medal – Gold during Trinidad and Tobago’s Republic Day celebrations. This distinguished honour acknowledged her tireless advocacy for the steelpan, her exemplary leadership in elevating the art form, and her decades of dedicated community service and activism in Tobago.
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October 2024: Pan Trinbago Elections and Tobago Event
On October 6th, Pan Trinbago held its executive elections, with the President Beverley Ramsey-Moore being re-elected as the 18th President of Pan Trinbago. President Ramsey Moore received 225 votes, with her team making a clean sweep and defeating challenger Aquil Arrindell, of San City Steel Symphony, who received 55 votes at the central executive election at East Mucurapo Secondary School yesterday.
October also featured the Rhythm, Steel, and Powder event in Tobago, a celebration of culture blending steelpan music and traditional Carnival elements.
November 2024: Pan and Powder in San Fernando
San Fernando came alive with the third and final edition for 2024 of the Steelpan and Powder Parade. For the first time the parade took to the streets of San Fernando, blending the infectious energy of steelpan music with colorful powder revelry. The event continued the tradition of showcasing steelpan’s vibrancy in unique, engaging ways.
Panorama 2025 Launch:
Steelpan Fuh So! Unleash D' Power
Get ready for a season of unmatched energy and musical brilliance as Panorama 2025 takes center stage. This year's theme, Steelpan Fuh So! Unleash D Power captures the electrifying spirit of the competition and the unrelenting passion of Steelpan musicians. Pan Trinbago launched Panorama 2025 on Sunday November 17 at the Phase II Pan Groove panyard. The event featured performances by Chord Masters, TTEC New Eastside Dimensions, Katzenjammers, bp Renegades and Massy Trinidad All Stars, with special performances by Farmer Nappy and Mical Teja.
November concluded with the Single Pan preliminaries in Panyards in communities around the country. Here are some highlights.
December 2024: Panorama 2025 Single Pan Finals,
End-of-Year Celebrations and Guinness World Records
December concluded the year with Panorama 2025 Single Pan Bands
competition. The Panorama 2025 Single Pan Finals was graced by a distinguished
group of specially invited guests, underscoring the significance of this
musical celebration. In attendance was Councillor Tashia Grace Burris,
Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Transportation from the Tobago
House of Assembly, alongside Senator the Honourable Randall Mitchell,
Minister of Tourism, Culture, and the Arts. Their presence reflected the
unwavering support of both national and regional leadership for Trinidad and
Tobago's cultural heritage and the steelpan movement. Also present was
President Beverley Ramsey-Moore, whose visionary leadership continues to
elevate the prominence of the steelpan on the global stage. The evening
culminated in the triumphant victory of San Juan East Side Symphony,
managed and led by the passionate and dedicated Mr. Andre Franco, whose
leadership and commitment to excellence paved the way for their success.
A highlight of the evening was the recognition of bpTT, named Pan Trinbago’s first-ever Steelpan Ambassador. This prestigious title acknowledged bpTT’s significant contributions to the growth of the steelpan movement year-round, from supporting innovation to fostering young talent. In his address, Ryan Chaitram, bpTT’s Communications and External Affairs Manager, spoke about the company's commitment to ensuring the longevity of the steelpan art form and creating opportunities for both seasoned pannists and emerging bands.
Panorama 2025 Single Pan Band Finals:
The end of year celebrations took place on Saturday December 21, 2024 at the Massy Credit Union headquarters. The celebrations marked the end of a remarkable year for Pan Trinbago, setting the stage for an even brighter future.
December ended with another highlight as Joshua Regrello planned, pursued and captured the Guinness World Record for playing the Steelpan the longest, Joshua is the son the Junia Regrello and the co-manager of Heritage Petroleum Skiffle. He is fondly known as “The Pan.
Thank You 2024
Welcome in 2025
Steelpan Fuh So
