Trinidad and Tobago's 2025 Panorama competition has sparked renewed interest in steelpan music, but some fans remain dissatisfied with the judges' scores. A discussion at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) aims to address these issues and promote understanding among pan enthusiasts, arrangers, and cultural stakeholders. The panel discussed the Panorama adjudication process, judge selection, and transparency, emphasizing the importance of fans immersing themselves in the art to appreciate the creative process and innovation driving the instrument's progress. The roundtable aims to enhance understanding among pan enthusiasts, arrangers, and cultural stakeholders.
Sadly, the discussion had little public attendance. One would have thought that panmen from around the country—those who were in the middle of the pan movement— would have attended, but that was not the case. Instead, as is always the case, the women attended and were the ones making statements and asking questions. We felt it was crucial to highlight this point. Many ideas were presented, and you should watch the entire discussion that was streamed by "I am living my life." We are thankful for her efforts to bring the culture to us online. An intriguing suggestion was using a rank score system for judging!
We are not going to deal with the entire discussion for this post because we are here on behalf of all 'bush judges' who interacted in chat boxes for the last Panorama competitions. The discussion included judging for single-pan bands as well as small, medium, and large conventional bands. The first speaker, Joanna Short, spoke about the 'current judging system,' and that is what we want to highlight for this post. We believe, wholeheartedly, that you will find this material very intriguing. Rest assured, on behalf of all 'bush judges,' we believe to err is human, but to carry your biases to the judging table is just outrageous and a slap in the face for all the sacrifices made to deliver sweet music for any given competition.
Summary of the presentation by Miss Joanna Short:
The Panorama adjudication process is a cornerstone of ensuring fairness and celebrating the musical excellence that defines Trinidad and Tobago's Carnival. This system, upheld by a dedicated panel of adjudicators, involves meticulous preparation, standardized tools, and integrity measures to evaluate steel bands objectively. From training workshops and scoring rubrics to the exclusion of extreme scores, the process strives to reflect the true artistry of the performances. In this overview, we delve into the key aspects of the judging system, its criteria, and the safeguards in place to maintain the credibility and transparency of Panorama competitions.
Role of Adjudicators:
Their responsibility is to assess the musical quality of a band's performance.
Preparation for Adjudication:
Before Panorama, adjudicators attend a workshop for training in steel band adjudication led by an experienced coordinator and facilitator.
Adjudication Materials:
Adjudicators receive a package in advance that includes a list of bands, song titles, Panorama rules and regulations, a sample score sheet, and a rubric.
Importance of a Rubric:
The rubric standardizes scoring to ensure consistent and objective evaluation despite adjudicators' diverse musical experiences and backgrounds.
The judging criteria distributes a total of 100 points to each band:
- Arrangement: 40 points
- General performance: 40 points
- Tone: 10 points
- Rhythm: 10 points
Differences Between Rounds:
Preliminary round: A panel of four judges.
Semi-final and final rounds: Six judges, with alternates selected to ensure scoring integrity.
Exclusion of Scores:
For semi-finals and finals, the highest and lowest scores are excluded to minimize bias, and the final score is calculated based on the remaining three adjudicators' scores.
Integrity Measures:
Unless an adjudicator's inability to fulfill their duties necessitates it, we exclude alternates' marks to protect the scoring process.
Finalization Process:
The governing body oversees the evaluation process, including alternate selection and score exclusion, which concludes with the performance of the last band.
The Panorama judging system embodies a commitment to fairness, consistency, and cultural excellence. Through rigorous preparation, the use of standardized scoring tools, and thoughtful measures like score exclusions and alternate adjudicators, the process strives to uphold the integrity of this beloved competition. As the steelpan art form continues to evolve, so too does the framework for evaluating its performers, ensuring that Panorama remains a true celebration of talent, creativity, and heritage. By understanding the current system, we can appreciate its strengths and engage in meaningful discussions for further refinements that honor the legacy of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival and, more importantly, the steelpan movement.
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Production Notes/Music Credits:
Video: UTT Discussion
Origin: Trinidad, Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Genre: Panorama Judging
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