Pan action in the Savannah today

THE FIRST major competition of the 2005 Carnival season in the venue known as the  “Big Yard”, the  Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, takes place today when Pan Trinbago hosts the semi-final of the National Panorama Competition. The event, popularly known as the “Savannah Party,” starts at 11 am. Today’s round of competition involves 28 conventional steel orchestras —14 large and 14 medium — vying for eight places up for grabs in each category at the finals. The bands will deliver eight-minute Panorama arrangements of musical works published for Carnival 2005, as well as “retro selections,” as allowed by Pan Trinbago in the rules governing this year’s Panorama series.

“From Beyond,” a new release from De Fosto will be played by six bands, making it the most popular song on the day’s playbill. Defending champs Sagicor Exodus and nine-time National Panorama winner bpTT Renegades Steel Orchestras are among the bands that have chosen that  selection. Oba Sinnette’s “Action” will be played by two bands — one is former Panorama champion WITCO Desperadoes. Patrons will also hear bands perform two selections composed by the late Lord Kitchener —  “Pan Night and Day,” performed by TCL Group Skiffle Bunch and “Rainorama” by Arima Angel Harps.

Music from the Baron will get an equal number of plays. The selections are “Say Say”, the choice for BWIA Invaders and “Tell Me Why” to be performed by Harmonites. “Free Up” sung by former Road March Monarch Christopher “Tambu” Herbert will be played by five-time Panorama champs Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars and Our Boys from Tobago. There will also be a retro performance from CLICO Sforzata doing Shadow’s “Dingolay.” Harmonites Steel Orchestra will be the first band on stage today. They will appear in the following order: