Genesis Pan Groove tops small band semis
Genesis Pan Groove lead the field of the semifinals of the 2020 Panorama Small Band competition with a scintillating arrangement of Sparrow's Doh Back Back. Their performance tallied 280 points at a marathon pan session which ended at around 2.45 am at Victoria Square on Sunday.
Uptown Fascinators from Tobago, with 278 points, placed second in the semifinals which ended a marathon session around 2.45am at Victoria Square in Port of Spain on Sunday.
The final is scheduled for Friday.
The first Panorama competition for the new decade proved to be a challenge for organisers.
The show ran for over ten hours starting at 4.20 pm on Saturday afternoon until the last note was played at 2.45 am on Sunday. Thirty-one bands faced the judges and the atmosphere on Park Street was great as people came out to hear and celebrate the national instrument, many meeting for the first time for the year greeting and hugging each other.
When it came to the competition things were different. The winners of the single pan category received their cheques before the actual start of the small band semifinals.
The flow of bands was stunted throughout the evening with a problem as early as band number two, Motown. They took a very long time before they started playing Trouble in the Morning, a song which seemed to be a test piece for the evening. Nine bands played the Jevaugh "V’ghn" John 2019 composition.
The show ran for over ten hours starting at 4.20 pm on Saturday afternoon until the last note was played at 2.45 am on Sunday. Thirty-one bands faced the judges and the atmosphere on Park Street was great as people came out to hear and celebrate the national instrument, many meeting for the first time for the year greeting and hugging each other.
When it came to the competition things were different. The winners of the single pan category received their cheques before the actual start of the small band semifinals.
By Gary Cardinez
Trinidad and Tobago Newsday
