Single Pan dance

The young pannists had Jacana Avenue to themselves as police blocked the roadway for them to perform. This was the first time St Thomas Silver Stars played in the East Zone as leader Cummings relocated from central Trinidad.

At the Prisons Sports Club in Golden Grove, Arouca, the Prison Service Steel Orchestra was well prepared for the judges. With an array of lights focused on the players, they produced a well-balanced rendition of Iwer George’s “Nah Do Dat” with great tonal quality.

The piece was arranged by Terrence Sealy.

The judges then journeyed to Santa Cruz where arranger Robert Tobitt and Pan Jammers were anxiously awaiting their arrival to deliver Tobitt’s arrangement of 5Star Akil’s “Different Me”.

Pan Jammers is truly a community band as the villagers (including the Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly) rallied around in support of the former champions The next stop was at San Juan All Stars on Second Street where the players made a statement with their performance of Atiba Joseph’s arrangement of “Johnny”. This was a bunch of exciting players and they executed the arrangement to perfection as they look to put the band back in winners’ row.

Platinum, Trinidad and Tobago’s only all-female steel orchestra was at Harmonites panyard, Morvant Junction and they performed Natasha Joseph’s arrangement of Tambu’s “This Party is It”. Although Platinum is just over a year old it is saying something with its music but the band management needs to get some more (new) instruments.

The evening came to a close in Malick, Barataria, at Potential Symphony where the reigning champions Trinidad East Side Symphony led by Jason Harewood delivered “Pan in Danger’ as arranged by Jerod Lett and Sheldon Harewood.

That brought an end to the East Zone competition and the judges will continue adjudication in North Zone tonight. Results for the competition will be announced on January 27 and the top 20 bands will move on to the final round on January 29 at the Arima Basketball Court.