Judges visit panyards in north

First up was Belmont City Kids International with their rendition of David Rudder’s “Bahia Girl” followed by Nayal Hill SOM, performing a 2017 composition “D Journey” arranged by Tahira David.

Over on Agostini Street in Gonzales, Sheikers was awaiting the judges’ arrival.

Once they got there, the band delivered its rendition of Clive Telemaque’s arrangement of Swallow’s “Don’t Stop this Party”.

The song was well arranged but the players lacked energy in the execution.

Led by flashing blue lights from the Police escort, the judges were taken to Cascade at La Famille United, where the band was nestled under a mango tree with one bulb on a plum tree providing light. Here Triston Marcano had the players execute his arrangement of Ken “Professor” Philmore’s classic “Pan by Storm” which sounded very good.

The journey continued westward to Carenage to Stardust Steel Orchestra, the band used the premises of the Carenage RC School which was well laid out. Arranger Jason “Peanuts” Isaac pulled out a 1983 Kitchener classic “Tourist Elsie” and had his players grooving while they executed his arrangement.

This was a well rehearsed performance and the supporters showed their appreciation.

Further down in the north west on Haig Street, Carenage, Power Boat Scorpion Pan Groove had a full house. The band joined forces with the Carenage Police Youth Club and the band of youthful players performed Machel Montano’s “Epic”.

The last band on the programme was the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra and at the spacious Defence Force headquarters at Chaguaramas where players and supporters awaited the judges.

Led by Sheldon Montique with the maximum number of players they performed a Kion Robinson’s arrangement of Superblue’s “Get Something and Wave”.

The flashing blue lights of the Police vehicles then took the judges out of Chaguaramas back to Port of Spain.

Judging in the Northern Region was completed on Thursday.

The final will take place tomorrow at the Arima Velodrome from 4 pm and some 20 steelbands will vie for the Single Pan champion band title.

Arranger Clive Telemaque with Gonzales Sheikers.