THE Saint Lucia National Steel Band Association (SLNA) and the Carnival Planning and Management Agency (CPMA) are gearing for this year’s national Panorama.
The association said that this year, more support for the competition has been given by the Steel Bands Association of Trinidad and Tobago “Pan Trinbago” which will be providing trophies, judges and promotion for the competition.
The Panorama Management Committee (PMC) of the SLNA has formed a subcommittee with the responsibility for producing the steel bands programme of activities which includes a pan session at the Mas Market this Saturday at the William Peter Blvd, and an official launch of Panorama on July 11.
Compared to previous year’s where the competing bands would be grouped in either the “small band” or “large band” category, based on the number of players, this year’s format will incorporate all bands competing against each other in one general category regardless of size.
Eight steel pan groups from around Saint Lucia will compete in this year’s Panorama : reigning champions Pantime (supported by Digicel), Courts Babonneau, Fast Cash PantasticMuzik Steel Orchestra, Laborie Steel Orchestra, Survivors, Busta Emerald Steel Orchestra, Pan Ambassadors and Harmonites.
The National Panorama will take place on July 17 at the Beausejour Cricket Stadium and will also include a competition for individual local and regional pannists (Pan Shoot Out), displays Carnival bands and performances by local calypsonians and soca artistes.
St Lucia steel band association Hi my name is Federico gay I am in st Lucia Right now and enjoying the lovely island of st Lucia first time in st Lucia and am still hoping that one day to be able to come and experience the panorama and also tune for a SteelBand in st Lucia am a Steelpan tuner in Trinidad and Tobago south Trinidad , my father mr lloyd gay is one of the best Steelpan tuners in Trinidad and Tobago he tunes for bands in grenada , Barbados , and USA you might not hear of the name due to of the assistance of the Trinidad and Tobago association . But I can say the people and the country is a beautiful place