Panorama competition
a real hit!

The evening began with a tribute to the master steelband musician, pan maker and tuner, Mikey Enoch, who joined the ancestors during the past year. West Indian Day Carnival Association President, Yolanda Lezama-Clark and a representative of the United States Steelband Association presented a plaque to Mr. Enoch's family in recognition of "his significant contribution to the steel band movement all over the world." His widow, Lucretta Enoch, and his children Clorinda, Joseph and Elry accepted the award.

Then, until close to 4 am, the sharp but sweet sound of pan filled the air as one excellent steelband after another - many with over 90 players - took to the stage to offer their unique rendition of their song of choice.

Hands down the most frequently chosen song was Boogsie Sharp's "Music in We Blood." It was played by the 2002 Panorama Champs, Casym; by Marsicans, who hung out the sign "Marsicans Blood Center," decorated their structures with red tinsel and wore hospital hair covers and face masks; by Pan Sonatas and Thomas Baptist's Pan Phonics which both dressed in red to signify blood, as well as the orchestra Moods.

Both Women in Steel and Crossfire played Crazy's "Ellie Mann," while Despers USA and D'Radoes each chose Militant's "Passion." CYP Caribbean Youth Panoramics came in with the song "Ancient Rhythms," Sesame Flyers played "Iron Band," Dem Stars performed "Pandora," while Adlib weighed in with "Bad in Yuh Yard" and Harmony gave us "Ding Dong."

Pantonic, with its 100 players, brought down the house with David Rudder's "Trini to de Bone." They were judged the first place winners.

When Pantonic's arranger, Clive Bradley, who's been working with the band for a number of years, was asked how he got such a high-quality, unified sound from so many people, he replied, "It's a thing called drilling. It's all practice!"

Despers, which came in 5^th, has 95 players. When one of its managers, Anthony Greenidge, was asked what he believes is crucial for success when working with so many players, he, too, responded, "Discipline, that's everything. And you've got to put in a lot of time."

Clement Franklin, Despers' leader, brought in another element, stating, "Success comes from depending on God, keeping the faith with the father and always praying. It's a bunch of young kids we've got, and we're always trying to teach them the right way so it will keep them out of trouble, and keep them thinking and focusing."

Junior Samuel, Captain of the third place winners, D'Radoes, also puts his faith in the right arranger. They, like Pantonic, have Clive Bradley, who, Samuel said, is number one in the world.

Hassan Rice whose 12-year-old daughter, Najah, and 11-year-old son, Hassan Jr., play with D'Radoes, swears by the good effect being in a steelband has on his children. "It's taught them self-discipline," he said. "They know they have to be punctual and it's taught them time management. It transfers to their schoolwork, too. You can definitely see a difference as a result of their playing in a band."

Ariddin Hubert, Casym's arranger and musical director, said that before they went on stage he told his performers, "The key here is to have a good time and enjoy yourself. Win, lose or draw, as long as you did your own best."

Their best was pretty darned good, for this 90-member orchestra came in second. About the basis of its success, Hubert observed, "By the very nature of our program, Casym, which stands for the Caribbean American Sports and Cultural Youth Movement, we go for unity all year round. We run our school program the whole year, so we have players who are always together, always have that family spirit. As long as we're together, we stay disciplined and have that teamwork."