The word “new’’ was magical for an ensemble of musicians who participated in the Grenada carnival panorama competition.
Perfect tropical weather – warm but breezy conditions – provided an ideal setting for eight steelbands that competed on August 8 for pan’s top prize. The weather pattern broke briefly on two occasions, sending the panel of judges scampering for cover from raindrops.
There was no interruption, however, in the competitive spirit of pannists, beginning with the opening act from former champions, Rainbow City All Stars, playing “The Pan.’’ The intensity of All Stars of St. Andrew was matched by two other former champions who appeared in positions two and three.
Band number two, Lime Commacheros, performed “Pan Revolution’’ to loud cheers of approval. The cheering grew more feverish and there was a standing ovation at the National Stadium when Coyaba New Dimensions completed its rendition of “Pan Fever.’’
Dimensions had not won panorama in five competitions – completely missing 2005 because of an overseas engagement. The orchestra, formerly sponsored by Courts, was now under the new sponsorship of Coyaba Beach Resort.
Dimensions’ pannists, satisfied that they had given the performance of their lives, were now to wait to see what will be delivered by the remaining five bands in the panorama.
Among the five was Republic Bank Angel Harps, the 2008 pan champions and the winningest orchestra in steelbands’ competition in Grenada. The other competitors on the night included former champs, Suzuki Pan Wizards, as well as Digicel West Side Symphony Steel Orchestra, Calabash Hotel Pan Lovers, and Grand Roy Pan Angels.
After the curtain closure by Pan Lovers, whose performance start was delayed by a downpour of rain, radio personality Anthony Jericho Greenidge announced the panorama competition results just after 12.30 a.m. on Sunday, August 9.
New Dimensions, with a new sponsor, were named as the new panorama champions. They amassed 268 points to 259.5 to second placed Pan Wizards. Defending champs, Angel Harps, were third with 259 points.
The rest of the results was: Commancheros and Rainbow City All Stars tied for fourth; West Side Symphony was sixth; seventh was Grand Roy Pan Angels; and Pan Lovers were eighth.
“It really feels great to win panorama 2009, knowing that we have been knocking on the door for the past few years with second place finishes,’’ Said David Peck Edwards, arranger for New Dimensions.
Edwards described the victory as an investment in young people, pointing out that many of the youth of New Dimensions were participating in their first ever panorama.
He said that among the main priorities of the new champion steelband are the recording of a CD of music, and the construction of a “proper panhouse,’’ which will include a training school and dormitories for pannists who live outside St. George’s but practice with New Dimensions at its Grenville Street headquarters.
“The place where we are now is really terrible and we would like to relocate to a new panyard somewhere in the city,’’ Edward said.
By Lincoln Toro Depradine
