Rule — 4.4.2 THERE IS NO LIMITATION on the number of groups with which players can perform during the competition
Panorama of the celebration on stage from the winners
Editorial
Trinidad and Tobago, WI
– So imagine it’s the Panorama finals and the famous veteran house anchor Jemma Jordan is giving the final results to the audience. She’s at the point where she announces the second-place band—and before she can officially name the winner—members of the first orchestra storm the stage excitedly. However, some of the celebrants have played for multiple teams besides the newly crowned champions, and some now happen to have their uniforms. others bands ie probably the last band they went on stage with. So what does this all mean? Who really won? Is this really a legitimate competition? Is this a competition or just fun? Besides, does it matter?
This year Panorama 2023, pan players are officially allowed to perform in multiple steel orchestras – compliments of event organizer Pan Trinbago’s rule 4.4.2. While the ‘have pan will travel’ rental mentality has persisted for years, this is the first time Pan Trinbago has taken an official stance on this somewhat controversial practice. Many see this move as a very slippery slope that calls into question the fair play, integrity and even purpose of this grand event.
And – what are the rules for the Junior Panorama?
However, this rule update highlights a real problem in Trinidad and Tobago during the annual Panorama season – the participation of more groups than can be supported by the existing pool of players. The situation at the moment has worked out positively for a few select players financially – a simple case of supply and demand. And there have been complaints about the quality of musical performances produced under these conditions.
Can the Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama still be considered a legitimate competition? Or is it just a show like Pro Wrestling, with titles, trophies, etc (no betting allowed) for entertainment purposes?
So again, imagine what it means when for Panorama, in all categories (except large steel orchestras) – the results for first, second and third place are announced on the evening of the finals – and the players charge the stage, dance hold it back, but a number of the same players may have performed in those respective main groups?
A cursory check of major Panorama competitions in other countries revealed that the respective steel band associations did not have strong rules against players performing in multiple orchestras within a single competition. However, there were cases of individual orchestras prohibiting their members from playing in other groups during the competition, while others were somewhat flexible.
Rule 4.4.2 may ultimately be the start of a movement/process towards player unification – as already seen, the recent organized movement and gathering of players into a somewhat cohesive position that maximizes their winning power through their ‘strength in number’. ‘ Pan-male and pan-female representation. What a concept. After all, it could be argued that bowlers have been getting the short end of the stick for years, in most cases for nothing at all.
For now – the big legacy steel orchestras competing in Panorama’s big band category have retained the traditional one-man-band rule and remain one of the envies of music in the world. Their global musical stature and national admiration quotient has not diminished. The historical social, cultural and living influence of the Panorama competition for more than half a century is undeniable.
The challenge is a fair, equitable and sustainable business model for the next half century.
In a related development, Trinidad and Tobago’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts said Cabinet has approved player remittances for Panorama 2023.
