Panorama Launch: A Success

The Youlou Pan Movement (YPM), the umbrella organsation for steel bands in the country is hailing as a success the launch of its 2012 Panorama Competition at Heritage Square on Sunday. Four steel orchestras in Elite, Euphonium, South East and Starlift performed before a large crowd and many persons expressed satisfaction with what they saw and heard.

While the launch was not a competition, many felt the best playing band on the evening was South East, followed by Starflift, Elite and defending champions Euphonium bringing up the rear.

This ‘judging’ will have no bearing when the bands along with Potential, All Stars, Symphonix and Union Island clash at the Victoria Park on Thursday 5th July for Panorama. On that occasion the only persons that count are the judges who will determine the winner.

Sunday’s performance by the bands had a mixture of genres and it was South East with its concert-hall style that won the hearts of many.

Minister of Culture , Cecil ‘Ces’ Mc Kie congratulated the YPM for staging its fourth Panorama Launch, noting that pan is an integral part of carnival and central to the development of the carnival product. Mc Kie went on to suggest that pan could play a role in the Easter activities on the Grenadines and called for pan to be part of the onshore activities.

The staging of a bomb competition in the area of the market square and a calendar of events for pan were other suggestions McKie made.

President of the YPM, Warren ‘Boomie’ Knights explained the launch was not a competition but a “friendly rivalry” and forms part of the organisation’s master plan to bring pan to the people.

“The YPM is pleased to present this event, which  compliments our master plan to engage the public, showcase our talents and increase our listenership, as we continue to heighten the awareness of steel pan music throughout the country to attract larger crowds and greater gate receipts to our pan shows,” Knights said.

This year marks the 50 anniversary of the first official panorama competition.

Chief Executive officer of  the Carnival Development Corporation, CDC, Ashford Wood, said the increase in the number of steel bands at Panorama and Junior Pan is a sign that pan was moving along with the developmental strides of the CDC and he was pleased with such upward movements.

The Miss SVG contestants put in an appearance and had persons rushing toward the stage to greet them. The contestants also mingled with members of the audience and seemed pleased with the sound of steel.

The ladies will be in competition tomorrow at Victoria Park.


Source of article:
The News
01/06/2012
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