With their fiery arrival, online chats are exploding with "facts"—or not! Online chat rooms are buzzing with discussions about Bush-Judges and Bush-judging. Every site monitoring event taking place in Trinidad and Tobago has opinionated fans. The problem is that Trinidadians always think that there is a hidden agenda and that the official judges "thief their band." This belief fuels a cycle of skepticism and distrust, leading to heated debates and accusations that overshadow the actual performances. As the excitement builds, many participants find themselves more focused on the perceived biases rather than appreciating the artistry showcased on stage.
The problem here is that almost every one of the bush judges doesn't understand music and what it takes to judge a musical orchestration for a Steelband. "But we hear the music, and we know who is the winner!" Not so fast, and for today's post we are posting a few things that all "bush judges" should take note of before criticizing the official judging results.
Judging Steelband competitions for carnival is difficult, especially the Panorama competition, which has the most vocal fans. Even after reading this post and noting the points below, it will still be difficult to put it all together if you simply listen to 'pan music' just around Carnival time.
We rightly focus on the arranger and arrangement, but who is just as important? The drill master holds equal importance! We listed the work of the drillmaster at the end. Execution is important, and with that, remember the work of the "Engine Room" that drives the tempos for the music.
In the end, unless one of the bands does something truly exceptional, all fans will believe that their band either won or lost. C'est La Vie! Here's to the biggest Steelband fans—our beloved and most of the time scorned "bush judges," and let's see if any bush judges can find the top three finalist spots. Now that will be something to talk about! As the competition heats up, the excitement among fans intensifies, with each bush judge eager to assert their opinion on the performances. The anticipation is palpable, and the true spirit of the Steelband culture shines through as everyone gathers to celebrate the music and camaraderie, regardless of the final outcome.
Bush judges take note of the following "Terms used for Steelband music:"
- Interpolation—estimation of time
- Dynamics—volume of music (used in place of loud and soft)
- Crescendo: gradual increase in the volume or intensity
- Execution—technical expertise and musical skills
- Clarity—quality of being easy to perceive, understand and appreciate
- Tempo refers to the speed at which a piece is played. It is quantified in beats per minute (BPM).
- Orchestration in steelpan music refers to the arrangement of steelpan instruments in an ensemble. A steel band or steel orchestra typically includes steel pans tuned to various scales, played by pannists. The tempo is regulated by a rhythm section of traditional percussion instruments.
- Drill Master—The drill master for Steelband music is responsible for coordinating and leading the band during performances. They help set the tempo, cue instrument sections, and ensure smooth transitions between different sections of a piece. The drill master plays a crucial role in maintaining the ensemble's tempo and performance cohesion.
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Panorama Judging Tips
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Steelband Music
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