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PANORAMA!
The largest steel pan competition in the world, Panorama was birthed in Trinidad and Tobago in 1963. The competition which initially started as a showcase of the steelband orchestras in the country has transformed into a cultural staple of great social and economic impact for Trinidad and Tobago.
The Trinidad Panorama takes place once a year at the Queen’s Park Savannah during Trinidad and Tobago’s annual Carnival festival. This festival of freedom and expression attracts hoards of locals and tourists geared up to “palance”, parade the city streets in beaded and feathered costumes and listen to T&T’s indigenous instrument- THE STEEL PAN.
Fun Fact: The steel pan originated by accident in the 1930’s and was made using discarded oil drums. Musicians realized that the dents in these old oil drums produced different tones when hit with a stick.
The weeks long competition seeks to crown one steelband from each category– small, medium and large band as well as junior panorama for youth– the Panorama Champion of the year. Each band is given a calypso or soca piece and is judged based on arrangement, performance tone and rhythm.
This year 2024 with the incredible 2-day Carnival parade just over a week away, the final ‘hoorah’ of Panorama festivities are in full swing! The “pannists” (steel pan players), predominantly from Trinidad and Tobago but also include players from all around the world, as well as supporters of each steelband, descend upon the capital of Port of Spain en route to The Big Yard at the Queen’s Park Savanah. Here the bands gather and act as their own ‘stagehands’ to push the mobile stands which carry the players, steel pans and various other precision instruments onto The Big Yard stage where the medium and large category bands energetically compete in the semi finals and finals.
Fun Fact: There are eight types of steel pans including tenor pan, double second pan, guiar pan and bass pan.
Party-goers, Carnival steakholders and pan lovers from around the world show up en mass to experience this unforgettable event. Patrons purchase tickets to watch and listen to steelbands in the North and Grand Stands, or to “fete On D Greens” where they can party with their crew while watching a live broadcast of the Panorama Semi Finals happening just meters away.
Want to experience the largest steel pan competition in the world on a budget? Patrons can participate in the Panorama semi final festivities for free. Just before each respective steelband goes onto the main stage, they arrange themselves and standby on “The Track” and either do one final practice for onlookers or run drills of sections of their piece that may still need tightening up. Onlookers overflow the bleachers and pour out to surround the band and dance to the sweet and groovy arrangements.
Thats where I was on the night of the Panorama semi finals and it did not disappoint!
Many steelbands will compete, but there can only be one PANORAMA CHAMPION.
The anticipated large band finals of the National Panorama 2024 takes place on Saturday 10th February (The weekend before Trinidad Carnival) at the Grand and North Stand, Queens Park Savannah, Trinidad.
If you are unable to attend the Panorama large bands final showdown, catch the live stream on the National Carnival Commission’s website.
For more on the largest steel pan competition in the world, visit the official Pan Trinbago Inc. website.
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Megan hails from the twin island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. She is a musician, singer/songwriter with a vast technical theatre background and can be called a rockstar of the creative world. Boasting a holistic understanding of multiple Creative Arts spanning a roughly 16 year career, while being an activist who is passionate about the empowerment of girls, womexn and the LGBTQ+ community, Megan exists at the intersection of the Creative and Cultural Industries and social change. She considers herself a citizen of the planet, having traveled considerably during her career, and is energized by her chosen family and professional networks that span the globe. Megan holds a Certificate in Digital Media Studies with a focus in Music Technology, BFA in Performing Arts with a focus in Theater Design and Production, a Master in Arts and Culture Management (hons) and has a vocation for coaching creatives. Megan also loves writing music, gigging, connecting with people of all cultures and prioritizes having the ocean waves underscore her daily life.
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