Change Panorama rules

THE EDITOR: I wish to contribute to the debate on the issue of the rules of the 2005 Panorama that allowed bands to choose a calypso from a previous year. I disagree totally with this rule for a number of reasons, these are as follows:

International Responsibility
The steelband is a new instrument, about 60 years-old. It is now present in universities, schools, communities and other institutions on all the continents on earth. It is also spreading like wild fire to hitherto unknown islands. All instruments have a body of music which is written specifically for them. The European-made instruments, for example, have libraries with volumes of written music for their orchestras. For very Steelband Music Festival staged here in Trinidad and Tobago since the 1950s, bands sought music from these libraries for their tunes of choice. Panorama, because of its prestige and popularity, provides the ideal opportunity to add significantly to this growing body of music specially designed for the steelband instrument.

Denying Composers
Panorama music is used in music departments at educational institutions with steelbands in courses in playing and performance techniques. The music is scored and made available to them on music sheets. There are financial returns to the composers by way of royalties from the sale of the sheet music. If this music is performed in public the composer also gets money and this will increase if the music is recorded. There is also the prestige and positive imaging of the particular composer along with other possible opportunities for his/her future works on the international market.

The Grenada Example
For more than ten years now Grenada has taken the initiative from Trinidad and Tobago in the area of compositions for the steelband. All the participating panorama bands perform pieces composed by their respective arrangers, this is the norm. I am not sure what is the reason for this tradition, maybe they no longer wanted to depend on TT calypsos, but they are now up and running with the future and we are looking backwards. Grenada panorama is a successful event that is well organised by the population there. The panorama compositions are sung by local calypsonians and are recorded for the public to become familiar with them. All monies from royalties and publishing rights along with prestige and popularity go to the steelband arrangers/composers.

Pan Trinbago should encourage compositions specifically for steelbands not discourage them. They should create opportunities for steelband arrangers/composers not deny them. Pan Trinbago should use panorama as a forum to promote new, fresh and original music for steelbands. They should be inspired by the initiative of the steelbands in Grenada and not be afraid of change. Pan Trinbago should provide leadership to the international steelband movement and do not settle to be followers.

NESTOR SULLIVAN
San Juan