Clico Sforzata, Golden Symphony win

Falling just two points behind in the final tally to place second was NLCB Buccooneers Steel Orchestra of Tobago with “Dangerous” arranged by Seion Gomez.

Last year’s champions, Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille, had to settle for third spot with a score of 468 which they earned in the final at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain.

Captain and manager of Sforzata, Trevor Reid, yesterday said this could be the last time the pan side would hold the champion title in the Panorama medium category.

Reid said from next year, Sforzata would be making the transition to compete in the large band category.

“It is our time to ruffle some feathers for those who feel they are ruling the roost in the large bands. We had an amazing run in the medium band category and we think it is our time to go higher. We have quality arrangers such as Yohan Popwell, and amazing players to make it in this venture as well, so everyone should look out,” Reid said.

Reid said he was overjoyed the band had won the competition, and was very proud of all the players.

Sforzata previously won the medium band title in 2005 and 2006 and placed third in 2007 and 2008. It managed to escape the fallout from its sponsor Clico’s financial troubles as the insurance giant had already allocated funds to the band for Carnival before the Central Bank had to step in and take over its operations as part of a bailout deal with the Government, last month.

The band is not too concerned right now about if this sponsorship will continue next year when it moves up into the large band category.

Reid said the players were so ecstatic after the victory, they immediately returned to the panyard on Evans Street, Curepe, and continued celebrating well after 6 am yesterday.

“It was a memorable occasion, and the situation was only amplified because we also won all the qualifying rounds for this year,” Reid said.

In the small bands category, veteran arranger Terrence “BJ” Marcelle’s interpretation of DeFosto’s “A Blue Crescendo” proved to be the winning formula for Arima Golden Symphony. The band scored 439 points beating San City Steel Symphony into second place and Tornadoes Steel Orchestra into third.

Wednesday’s competition got off to a smooth start at approximately 7.15 pm and ended at about 12.35 am yesterday, with the results being announced shortly before 1 am.

The Panorama focus now shifts to tomorrow’s finals in the large band category.

Panorama finals resultsMEDIUM BANDS
1. Clico Sforzata Steel Orchestra - 473
2. Buccooneers - 471
3. Sound Specalists of Laventille - 468
4. Katzenjammers - 467.5
5. Dixieland - 465
6. Valley Harps - 460
7. Couva Joylanders - 453.5
8. Arima Angel Harps - 452.5

SMALL BANDS
1. Arima Golden Symphony - 439
2. San City Steel Symphony - 434
3. Tornadoes Steel Orchestra - 432
4. Panasonic Connection - 431.5
5. Tunapuna All Stars - 414
6. Casablanca - 413
7. Laventille Serenaders - 408.5
8. Fascinators Pan Symphony - 400.5