US money for pan.
When the first International Pan Ramajay Competition is staged in June, more than US$16,000 will be up for grabs to the winners in three categories—Solo, Duet, Quartet. Pannists from around the globe are being invited to register to compete in the first virtual pan competition of its kind. With competition days set between June 13-June 27, registration closes at 6 pm, on Wednesday, June 3, via email: exodussteelband@gmail.com
An innovation by Republic Bank Exodus Steel Orchestra, the first Pan Ramajay Competition was held in 1989 with its primary objective being to provide a platform (other than Panorama and the Steelband Music Festival) for pan musicians to showcase their skills.
International Pan Ramajay Competition 2020 is open to pan musicians internationally, regardless of time zone/country and is designed to feature soloists, duos and quartets using any instrument in the steelpan family.
The virtual preliminary will be held on June 13-14, with the semi-final scheduled for Saturday, June 20, and the final on Saturday, June 27. Musicians may enter any and/or all categories. Registration is free and musicians may enter any and/or all categories. Only acoustic pan instruments are allowed in this competition.
On Monday, June8 and Tuesday, June 9 (at a time to be decided), soloists, duos and quartets will perform via a private live feed and will also submit a video which should be taken from the front for adjudication. One song will be performed from a list of five which will be provided to all musicians. For each musician the host will make the musical selection via a private live feed.
Additionally, accompaniment tracks for the performance will be provided by the organiser on June 1 and musicians will perform for the duration of the track. The track for soloists will not exceed four minutes. The track for duos and quartets will not exceed five minutes.
All musicians in all categories are required to improvise.
Soloists and duos will submit one video. Quartets will submit two videos. Duos and quartets must record together. Video submission is due immediately after your performance via WhatsApp to 1-815-757-3245. Preliminary performance will be aired on Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14, at 8 pm and 6 pm, respectively, via Facebook and YouTube. Another preliminary date may be added depending on the number of entrants.
From the preliminaries 20 soloists, ten duos and ten quartets will advance to the semi-final. Based on the number of entrants, this may be revised. The list of songs for the semi-final will be distributed on Wednesday, June 10.
On Monday, June15 and Tuesday, June 16 (at a time to be decided), soloists, duos and quartets will perform via a private live feed and will also submit a video which should be taken from the front for adjudication. For each musician the host will make the musical selection via a live feed.
Additionally, accompaniment tracks for the performance will be provided by the organiser the day before their performance and musicians will perform for the duration of the track. The track for soloists will not exceed four minutes. The track for duos and quartets will not exceed five minutes. All musicians in all categories are required to improvise.
Soloists and duos will submit one video. Quartets will submit two videos. Duos and quartets must record together. Video submission is due immediately after your performance via WhatsApp to 1-815-757-3245. The semi-final performance will be aired on Saturday, June 20, at 8 pm, via Facebook and YouTube.
By Peter Ray Blood
Trinidad Guardian Newspapers - www.guardian.co.tt.
