By VERDEL BISHOP Thursday, March 18 2010

click on pic to zoom in

Steel champs: Conductor Akua Leith of the Trinity All Generations pan Ensemble leads his players to victory in the 29th Biennial Music Festival, Queen...

« prev photo next photo »

The steelpan is a classical instrument which the world should know more about, American musicologist Dr John Paul Johnson said at Queen’s Hall, St Ann’s yesterday.

Johnson, an adjudicator in the championship round of the 29th Biennial Music Festival, praised the diversity of the national instrument after the performances of competitors in Class 33 D, Steel Pan Solo (13 to 15 years).

“The pan is a lyrical, sweet and beautiful instrument. The rest of the world deserves to be introduced to the instrument; not as an instrument that you listen to while sipping pina colada, but as a classical instrument,” said Johnson, the director of the School of Music at Wichita State University in the United States.

Aviel Scanterbury won the steel solo category with his performance of “Pan Like Lightning” by Liam Teague. He received the Pollonais Trophy.

In the Junior Pan Ensemble, Class 41 D, Trinity All Generation Ensemble placed first for the Pan Trinbago Trophy.

Vocalists also gave praise-worthy performances such as Anikah David and Chloe Bishop’s winning rendition of “The Quiet Serenade” by Schubert in Class B 4 Girls Duet (16 to 19 years) for which they won the Russel Trophy. In Class B 3 Girls Duet (13 to 16 years), Charlotte Samaroo and Sameerah Qudourah won the May Johnston Trophy with their performance of “How Still The Night” by Jenkyns.

In Class D 3 Piano Solo, sole competitor Rea-Ann Victor played Intermezzo Opus 117 No 1 by Brahms, however, she was unsuccessful in taking home the trophy because, according to Johnson, her playing was not of the standard for her to receive the Trinidad Music Association Cup #1.

John noted that when he heard Victor play in the final round last week, her playing was excellent, however she did not impress him enough in the championship round to receive the trophy.

He also noted that it was unfortunate to have just one competitor in this category. The Junior Choir Open (Mixed Voices) category was a treat.

Presentation College Choir won the Lillian F Knaggs Trophy for a spirited rendition of “The Plantain Cold”, while in the Junior Calypso Choral in Class C 12 (19 and Under) Signal Hill Secondary School Chorale placed first with “Ugly Women” and won the Malick Folk Performing Company Challenge Trophy.