Sion Hill keeps Junior Pan title

Junior Panorama

Rivalry between steel orchestras has been the order of the day. Perhaps it is a legacy of the colonial days when residents took out frustration on their perceived threat.
That contest among bands continues sometimes in bitter fashion. Fortunately, the antagonism between the junior steel bands is not hostile, even though it may be intense at times. {{more}} Last week Thursday July 1, was another occasion of friendly rivalry. In the end, Sion Hill Euphonium Steel Orchestra reigned supreme. They retained the title with a rendition of Gabriel ‘Jessekaya’ Culzac’s ‘I ain’t come here for that.’
The song, arranged by Tillal Webb saw 30 players dressed in gold tops and black bottoms, playing with gusto.
Sion Hill and Starlift have been at each other’s throat at the Junior pan level. Sion Hill intensified the rivalry when they took the Junior Pan title last year.
Starlift has been known as the steel band to beat as far as St. Vincent and the Grenadines is concerned. The Starlift senior band is something of an institution formed since 1967. They have a number of Panorama titles and are regarded as perennial Panorama champions.
However, the Junior Band is not reaping the same degree of success. And last week’s event was another disappointment for them.
Starlift played a song ‘We taking it back,’ composed, sung and arranged by Starlift’s bandleader Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts.
But Hero might have written another song, or one with some other lyrics. For Starlift failed to accomplish their objective.
They beat St. Joseph’s Convent Kingstown into third place, however, they may not be displeased with their showing. It represented an improvement in the school’s overall performance at the Junior Panorama.
Their rendition of Lennox Bowman’s ‘Dead already,’ was enough to secure the judges’ nod.
Fourth spot was taken by C.W. Prescod Primary with a rendition of US Top 40 chart buster Kevin Lyttle’s song ‘My love.’
Three other bands appeared on the programme staged at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex. They were Union Island Secondary School in fifth position. Their rendition was ‘Get serious,’ by Grantley ‘Ipa’ Constance, and arranged by Sylas Mulzac.
A group of pan enthusiasts from the Troumaca Primary School entertained the audience with their version of Cornelius ‘Poorsah’ Williams’ ‘Screw’ that put them into sixth place. The final position was taken by the St. Vincent Grammar School who played Vincent ‘Groovy D’ Kennedy’s ‘I wanna jam.’