Panorama 2026 Single Pan Bands Finals

 

A Night to Remember

Saturday November 29,  2025: under the warm Port‑of‑Spain night sky, the Queen’s Park Savannah pulsed with life, pride and heritage. The air was thick with anticipation. The crowd included a cross‑section of the nation: long‑time steelpan lovers, youths, first-time spectators, steelpan musicians, diaspora visitors, families and friends all gathered with flags, band colours, and national red‑white‑black gear, ready for what would become a defining evening for steelpan.

The theme of the season - Legacy: Ours to Love. Ours to Cherish - set the tone: this was more than competition. It was cultural memory, reclamation and celebration.

For many, the Single Pan Finals is where the soul of the steelpan lives - raw, intimate, personal. No massive engine rooms, no hundreds of players, but each panist’s touch, every arranger’s vision, every note bearing history. And on this November night, that soul spoke loud and clear.

The Drag - Where Legacy Warms Up

No Panorama experience is complete without a visit to the Drag, the stretch of road just adjacent to the Grand Stand at the Queen’s Park Savannah. Here, in the hours before the Single Pan Bands Finals officially begin, the steelbands make their final preparations, tuning their instruments, running through arrangements, and perfecting every roll, every harmony.

For generations, the Drag has been more than a rehearsal space - it is a ritual of the steelpan. Crowds gather, leaning over barriers or strolling along the perimeter, ears attuned to the warm, metallic resonance of steelpans in mid-practice. Families, friends, and even curious tourists stop by, soaking in the anticipation, watching panists concentrate, adjust, and perform for an audience that is intimate yet impassioned.

The Drag captures the raw essence of the music - stripped of the fanfare of the Grand Stand, yet alive with authenticity, energy, and community spirit. Here, the young tune their instruments beside veterans; arrangers call out cues; drummers keep precise counts; every note is tested, polished, and imbued with heart.

For many steelpan enthusiasts, listening to the bands at the Drag is as much a part of Panorama as the finals themselves. It is where tradition meets preparation, where anticipation builds into celebration, and where the legacy of the steelpan is both preserved and performed. When the bands eventually move from the Drag to the Grand Stand, they carry not just their instruments, but the energy, warmth, and spirit of the Drag - a piece of the nation’s musical soul onto the big stage.

 

Opening Ceremony - A Tribute to Heritage and Spirit

The show officially opened with the national anthem, played with pride and solemnity, followed by heartfelt prayers delivered by Emmanuel Joseph, a member of the Pan Trinbago Youth Arm. This moment of reflection reminded all present of the spiritual and communal dimensions of Panorama, grounding the spectacle in respect, gratitude, and national pride.

Immediately after, the Malik Folk Performing Company Limited took the stage for a spiritual dance performance, weaving traditional movements with storytelling that paid homage to Trinidad and Tobago’s rich cultural tapestry. The performance set an energetic yet reverent tone, connecting past and present, tradition and innovation.

Following the cultural presentations, remarks were made by Mrs. Beverley Ramsey-Moore, President of Pan Trinbago, and Mr. Peter Kanhai, Chairman of the National Carnival Commission. Both speakers highlighted the importance of the steelpan as a national treasure, its role in youth development, community cohesion, and the safeguarding of cultural legacy. Their words reminded the audience that Panorama is not just a competition - it is a living testament to creativity, resilience, and national identity.

The Spirit of “Legacy”

Walking into the Grand Stand that evening felt like entering a living archive; steelpans tuned and polished, uniforms crisp, flags waving, hearts open.

Before the first note, there was a hush - a collective breath held by audience and players alike. Then came the first pan strikes. The reverberation carried across the Savannah, bouncing off concrete and legendary wooden beams, making the ground vibrate with memory.

Between performances, the crowd murmured in expectation: “Who’s coming after?” “Is this the one that will take it tonight?” The enthusiastic, die-hard supporters, elders with knowing smiles, youngsters with mobile phones raised, capturing moments to last a lifetime. There was dancing, there was shouting and stomping, there was the silent nodding of heads, there was awe.

Vendors sold pholourie, corn soup, cold drinks - the scent of street food mixing with night air and steelpan smoke. In that space, music was not just heard; it was lived. It was community, culture; it was home.

The dramaturgy of the evening was enhanced by the fact that these were single‑pan performances: small groups, fewer instruments, but every hit, every tone, every harmony was exposed. There was nowhere to hide; which meant every note had to count, every heart had to be in it. And the bands delivered.

Spotlight on the Champions: San Juan East Side Symphony

Song: “Jumbie” | Arranger: Duvone Stewart

Reigning champions San Juan East Side Symphony defended their crown in spectacular fashion, with a fiery, magnetic performance of “Jumbie.”

Arranged by the world-renowned Duvone Stewart, their rendition was a masterclass in control, spirit, storytelling, and pure musical intelligence.

When their Steelband struck the first notes of “Jumbie”, the Grand Stand seemed to pause and then exhale.

Every phrase was textured, every dynamic shift intentional, and every break electrifying. It was a performance that felt possessed, in the best way possible and the crowd knew long before the scores were read that they had witnessed something special.

From the opening roll of the steelpans to the final resonant tone, their performance was a masterclass in timing, control, musicality and soul. The melody soared, the rhythm carried power, the harmonies wove richness and depth. Their 285‑point score affirmed it: this was more than just skill - it was poetry.

As the final chord faded, the crowd erupted. Applause, cheers, some tears. For many, it was more than a win - it was validation of legacy, continuity, and the undying power of pan to unite, uplift, and heal.

For San Juan East Side Symphony, it added another chapter to an already impressive legacy. This was their 9^th title. For steelpan lovers across the nation - it reaffirmed that in the hands of dedicated musicians and arrangers, pan remains not only relevant, but radiant.

Other Top Performances 

The finals were a thrilling showcase of steelpan mastery, with several standout performances lighting up the stage. La Creole Pan Groove set the tone early with a fiery rendition of “Pan By Storm,” arranged by Dejean Cain, delivering an electrifying performance that had the audience on their feet. Their bold energy and flawless execution earned them 282 points, bringing them tantalizingly close to the crown.

Chord Masters Steel Orchestra, no strangers to victory, commanded attention with André White’s meticulous arrangement of “Showdown (Band Meet Band).” Every note was precise, every rhythm perfectly timed, earning them 280 points and third place, a reminder of why they remain one of the most respected names in the steelpan arena.

Representing Tobago, Metro Stars Steel Orchestra brought a distinct island flavour with Kersh Ramsey’s arrangement of “Kettle Pot,” blending vibrant Caribbean rhythms with expert pan technique to finish fourth, adding rich geographic and cultural diversity to the finals.

The intensity of the competition was further evident in the tie for fifth place between New Age Trendsetters and Hope Pan Groovers, both scoring 274 points. Their spirited performances of “Mystery Band” and “Like Ah Boss” resonated deeply with both judges and fans, proving that the battle for supremacy was fierce and that every band brought its own unique voice to the stage. From high-octane energy to meticulous craftsmanship and local flair, the night was a testament to the brilliance and enduring legacy of steelpan music.

The rest of the top‑ten, including the ensembles from institutions such as the Police and Prisons Service, and community-based bands like Epic Koskeros and Woodbrook Modernaires, added diversity, range, and a sense of national participation to the finals; a reminder that pan is everywhere, belonging to every region and community of Trinidad & Tobago.

   

📝 Results - Full List of Finalists (Top 25)

Because every band that made it to the finals deserved recognition, here’s the full list of finalists (top 25) and their selections:

Rank	Band Name	Song Selection	Arranger(s)	Points
1	San Juan East Side Symphony	“Jumbie”	Duvone Stewart	285
2	La Creole Pan Groove	“Pan By Storm”	Dejean Cain	282
3	Chord Masters Steel Orchestra	“Showdown (Band Meet Band)”	André White	280
4	Metro Stars Steel Orchestra (Tobago)	“Kettle Pot”	Kersh Ramsey	277
5 (tie)	Hope Pan Groovers	“Like Ah Boss”	Ojay Richards	274
5 (tie)	New Age Trendsetters	“Mystery Band”	Nicholas Joseph & Myles Phillips	274
7	Trinidad & Tobago Prison Service Steel Orchestra	“Moving (To The Left)”	Amrit Samaroo	273
8	Trinidad & Tobago Police Steel Orchestra	“Toro Toro”	Esan Smith	270
9 (tie)	D’Original Woodbrook Modernaires Steel Orchestra	“Ah Cyah Wait”	Hanif Goodridge	269
9 (tie)	Epic Koskeros Steel Orchestra	“Toco Band”	Kion Robinson	269
11	La Famille United Steel Orchestra	“Suck Meh Soucouyant”	Arddin Herbert	268
12	Trinidad East Side Symphony	“Bahia Girl”	Damyon Alexander	267
13	LA 47 Steel Orchestra	“Showdown (Band Meet Band)”	Shaquille “Flogo” Forbes	266
14 (tie)	Pan Jammers Steel Orchestra	“Government Boots”	Elijah “Patchy” Beckles	263
14 (tie)	Trinidad & Tobago Fire Service Steel Orchestra	“Doh Back Back”	Terrance “BJ” Marcelle	263
16 (tie)	Harlem Syncopators	“Carnival Time Again”	Tisham Kevin Williams	262
16 (tie)	Uni Stars Steel Orchestra	“Marajhin”	Kareem Brown	262
18	San Juan All Stars Steel Orchestra	“Park It”	Shaquille Vincent	260
19 (tie)	Arima All Stars Steel Orchestra	“Caribbean Connection”	Gillian “Toby” Tobias	258
19 (tie)	Nayal Hill School of Music Steel Orchestra	“This Melody Sweet”	Nathanael Flemming	258
21	La Romaine Super Vibes	“Ah Feeling To Rock”	Darren Sheppard	256
22	Nu Pioneers Pan Groove	“Feeling It”	Triston Marcano	255
23	East Phonics Steel Orchestra	“Swing”	Kendell Bowen	253
24	Scrunter’s Pan Groove	“Dead or Alive”	Janine Jones & Alexis Hope	251
25	Pan Stereonettes	“Four Lara Four”	Dreason “Dre” McPherson	248

What This Means - Legacy in Motion

The 2026 Single Pan Finals proved beyond doubt that the steelpan remains vibrant, evolving, alive. A few reflections:

• Regional representation: Bands from all regions - Eastern, Northern, Tobago, South/Central - made the finals. This highlights how pan is not confined to any one area; it pulses through the whole country.
• New voices, new energy: Bands like New Age Trendsetters (South/Central) and Epic Koskeros showed that pan is thriving beyond traditional landscaping - new faces, newer communities, newer fans.
• Tradition meets innovation: While the heritage of pan is honoured, the arrangements; modern, fresh, creative - demonstrate evolution. “Jumbie”, “Pan by Storm”, “Showdown (Band Meet Band)” are not old‑school power‑runs but musical statements.
• Community & culture over glamour: Single Pan Finals is stripped‑down, intimate, authentic. Without the massive orchestras, lights, dancers - what remains is pure music, community pride, heart.

For Panorama 2026, this finals night sent a message: the legacy of pan is not just remembered - it’s lived, nurtured, and passed on.

Conclusion - Legacy That Echoes

At the end, when the champions were announced, there was pride. There was celebration. There was unity.

It was a tribute to the pioneers, the unsung heroes whose hands and hearts gave birth to the steelpan - an instrument born from struggle, from resourcefulness, from community

As the final trophies were handed out, as the pans were packed away, as the crowd dispersed into the streets of Port‑of‑Spain, one thing was clear: the night was not over.

For many, the final note of “Jumbie” still reverberated in their veins. Conversations about next year, about new bands, fresh arrangements began. Videos and audio; whether recorded on phones or professional feeds - would circulate, keeping the memory alive.

More importantly; the dream of pan, of community, of legacy - remains. Because the steelpan isn’t just an instrument. It’s identity, resistance, culture, joy. It’s us.

To every band, every arranger, every panist, every supporter: you upheld a promise. You honoured the past; you helped build the present and every pancestor will contribute to the steelpan’s future.

As we count down to Panorama 2026, the Single Pan Finals served as the perfect spark to ignite the season. Under the banner “Legacy – Ours to Love! Ours to Cherish!”, the steelpan community continues to honour its past while shaping a vibrant, innovative future.

The bands have played.
The judges have spoken.
The people have celebrated.

Now, the journey to Panorama 2026 continues - stronger, prouder, and more united than ever.