It wasn't just 'Pah Fuh So' last night for the National Panorama Competition; no, it was more than that; it was 'Sweet Pan Fuh So,' and after all was said and done, all the adjustments to the arrangements, a winner emerged. As an avid fan of one of the other giants who performed last night, I'm sure you didn't anticipate this outcome. However, on this magical night of steelpan music, "Exodus" arrived, performed, remained consistent, and emerged as the conquerors. Sokah2Soca extends congratulations to the management, fans, players, and the music custodians who guided "Republic Bank Exodus" to this wonderful victory.
It wasn't a wish made or a divine plan that came through, oh hell no! The Steelband movement's followers, who always think they are more knowledgeable than the official judges, understand that success ultimately depends on the arrangements, execution, and occasionally a dash of luck. The energy, passion, and artistry of these steel bands were destined to create an unforgettable night, and surely that came to pass.
Did you witness the bands perform last night? If so, we consider you an official 'Bush judge,' and after hearing the results, do you think that the official Panorama judges lived up to expectations? Did they adhere to the judging criteria? These criteria guarantee an evaluation of bands based on their musical artistry and their capacity to captivate the audience. Reflecting on the evaluation bullet points below, do you think the results reflected the items in the bullet points?
One can argue that a few bands did not deserve where they were placed or why Desperados did not make the finals and a certain band or bands made it; that you can do! For me, I thought Phase II had the best-sounding pans and played like a perfect orchestra, better than all others last night, but there is a judging criteria and points awarded accordingly. Maybe they did not meet the judges expectations in certain areas; who knows? The judges do, and did you think that Skiffle won tonight and was robbed and put into third place? So many questions, but as the saying goes, "The judges decisions are final." It's a reminder that while the audience may have their favorites, the criteria for judging can be quite different, leading to outcomes that may surprise or disappoint many. Ultimately, it’s all part of the competition, where talent, technique, and interpretation are weighed against one another in the pursuit of excellence."
- Arrangement: The creativity and complexity of the musical arrangement, including the use of dynamics, harmonies, and transitions.
- Execution: The precision and skill with which the band performs the arrangement, including timing, phrasing, and overall cohesion.
- Tone: The quality of sound produced by the steelpans, ensuring clarity and richness.
- Rhythm: The consistency and energy of the rhythm section, which forms the backbone of the performance.
- Presentation: The visual and emotional impact of the performance, including stage presence and audience engagement.
Regardless of your opinions or if you fall in the category of "Bush Judge and proclaim, "They thief meh band," one thing is certain: it is over! See you next year, and we do hope that you return with the same passion that made this year memorable.
The Results:
01. Republic Bank Exodus—Too Own Way—Voice—Terrance "BJ" Marcelle—288
02. bp Renegades Steel Orchestra—Bet Meh—Machel Montano—Duvon Stewart—285
03. Heritage Petroleum Skiffle Steel Orchestra—Retro—Voice—André White—283
04. First Citizens Supernovas Steel Orchestra—Cocoa Tea—Kes—Amrit Samaroo—282
05. Phase II Pan Groove—Pan & Soca—Olatunj—Dr. Len Boogsie Sharpe—281
06. Nutrien Silver Stars Steel Orchestra—Too Own Way-Voice-Ojay Richards & Kersh Ramsey—280
06. T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps Steel Orchestra—Cocoa Tea—Kes—Clarence Morris—280
08. Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra—Bet Meh—Machel M—Leon "Smooth" Edwards—279
09. RBC Redemption Sound Setters Steel Orchestra—Flag Woman—Kitchener—Micheal Toby—277
09. Shell Invaders Steel Orchestra—Blessing—Arddin Herbert—277
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Event: National Panorama Finals—The Conclusion
Category: Large Conventional Steelband
Venue: D'Savannah, Queens Park Oval, Port of Spain
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Steelband Music
Code: PTLCBF2025
Stream: This is a PPV Event
We present the music here for your listening pleasure and promotional purposes only, adhering to the "Fair Use" Musical Content Copyright Disclaimer under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976. Sokah2Soca/Soca Music Blog © 1990 by Santiwah is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-SA/4.0/.
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Video Sequence: Results from First to Tenth Place.