Pan-o-Rama kick-starts Mashramani week of activities
The Pan-o-Rama Steel Band Competition was the perfect start to the Mashramani week ahead, as waves of celebrations vibrated through the sold-out crowd on Sunday evening.
Scores of steel pan lovers and supporters turned out at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall for the annual Mashramani Pan-o-Rama Steel Band Competition. The second and final night of the competition saw performances by several bands from across
GBTI Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra (Winners of Large Youth Bands)
the country in various categories, including small youth bands, large youth bands and large bands in general. Each of these groups keenly took to the stage to perform rousing pieces, as they vied for a placement within the top three for each category.
The event commenced with three deliveries in the small youth band category where Queen’s College, Lodge and Dolphin Secondary presented renditions of Guyanese musical pieces. Queen’s College emerged victorious with Dolphin Secondary following closely in second and Lodge trailing at third.
Competition intensified in the second segment with The Bishops’ High School opening what was possibly the most competitive category on the programme. Seven bands contended in the large youth bands grouping with each bringing its own unique flavour to the already raving steel pan lovers. Even with several noteworthy performances, last year’s champions, North Ruimveldt Secondary, was defeated by GBTI Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra and PanWave Academy. Buxton Pride won the category with PanWave placing second and North Ruimveldt third.
The large band category consisted of more established and experienced groups. As such, they were each tasked with performing a 10-minute original piece, which attracted greater scrutiny from the judges. The National School of Music Steel Orchestra emerged victorious in this segment.
The Guyana Police Force Steel Orchestra was able to move one space up from their previous position, gaining second in this year’s competition. However, the 2016 winners of the large band category, Parkside Steel Orchestra, placed third.
The opening night of the Pan-o-Rama Steel Band Competition 2017 was at the Theatre Guild Playhouse on Saturday. The events contested on that night were Junior Solo, Senior Solo, Pan Duet and Jazz Duet.
The competition is one in the line of highly anticipated Mashramani events, hosted by the Education Ministry, Department of Culture and given the festive nature, it sets the pace for the costume float parade which is to follow on February23.
This competition was sponsored by Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited as they continue to significantly impact steel pan development in Guyana for nine years and counting. The event forms a part of the Bank’s “Power to Make a Difference” Initiative.
Michelle Johnson, Marketing and Communications Manager of Republic Bank, in her opening remarks, explained their focus is on providing avenues for the empowerment of the nation’s youths, while sustaining art and cultural forms such as steel pan music. She further indicated that steel pan development has proven to be the most dynamic and rewarding of all the areas of their cultural involvement and they are satisfied with increase participation among school bands.
This year’s competition saw the largest participation. Bands have commuted long distances to participate in the Pan-o-Rama experience.
