Starlift pan side goes after International Panorama title in Trinidad and Tobago

Reigning senior panorama champions Sea Operations Starlift Steel Orchestra are now in Trinidad and Tobago, the birthplace of the steel pan, for the International Panorama Competition, organized by Pan Trinbago.

Represented by 60 players, Starlift will be rendering their interpretation of Alston ‘Becket’{{more}} Cyrus’ ‘Teaser,’ as arranged by Trinidadian Duvone Stewart, whose maiden association with Starlift this year saw the band regaining the national title after a six-year shut-out from winners’ row.

Captain of Starlift Roddy Dowers told SEARCHLIGHT that his band will be going to Trinidad to compete and will give it their best shot.

He noted that players from other bands have been drafted into the Starlift set-up for the International Panorama Competition. Among these are Rodney Small (Sion Hill Euphonium), Jomoro Francis (Symphonix), Kasique Oliver (Potential Steel Orchestra) and Johnny Pompey (Potential Steel Orchestra), who are considered icons on the local pan scene.

Starlift joins steel bands from Japan, England, the United States, France, Canada, St Lucia, St Maarten, Jamaica and host Trinidad and Tobago vying for the big title in the International Panorama Competition.

The event is set for this Sunday at the Queen’s Park Oval and the bands will be competing for the grand prize in this historic undertaking.

Sunday’s event will be a culmination of activities which also includes an international steel pan conference, as well as a pan festival village.

Members of Starlift, along with representatives of the Youlou Pan Movement, the umbrella body for the steel bands here in St Vincent and the Grenadines, will attend the conference. (RT)