Katzenjammers ready for Sunday's pan finals in Tobago

HAVING tasted sweet victory in the 2023 National Panorama Medium Conventional Band title, Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, led by Beverly Ramsey-Moore and captained by Maxson Ramsey, is gearing up for Sunday night.

The band, out of Black Rock, Tobago, will compete alongside nine other bands at the Dwight Yorke Stadium at Parade Grounds in Bacolet for the 2024 leg of the 2024 National Panorama Medium Conventional Band Finals.

Newsday spoke with Ramsey, who is also the band’s drilling master.

“When the results were announced, it was one that I expected because we worked extremely hard towards this level and will continue to work hard towards the finals on Sunday.”

He added: “Well, anytime one hears of the band Katzenjammers, one expects great music, performance and show, and come Sunday, we are going to make the whole of Tobago proud.”

Last Saturday the band topped the semifinals in the medium category. He said this was an accomplished feat.

“Indeed, I am feeling happy, satisfied, well accomplished.”

The band played an up-tempo version of the late Merchant’s Rock It and scored 276 points.

“Rock It was chosen by our arranger (Kersh Ramsey), who gave the suggestion of this song to the band and we had no objections,” he said.

Throughout, he said, he had one piece of advice for his players.

“Maintain a focus, display and put out what was practised – and leave the rest to the judges.”

This is the same advice he offers ahead of Sunday's performance.

He said with such a short season and hardly any time to practise, preparing for the stage was a challenge.

“I must say it was challenging, but despite all of that we rallied through it, giving our all up to the day of competition.”

He also expressed his gratitude to all those who worked hard to get the band ready for its performances.

“First, we much give credit to our arranger Kersh Ramsey for giving us great music, me as the drill master and of course the entire team of Katzenjammers players.”

Finalists:

• NGC Couva Joylanders – Soca Tatie – 272 points
• Curepe Scherzando Steel Orchestra – Darling – 270 points
• Pamberi Steel Orchestra – Carnival Jumbie – 269 points
• Courts Sound Specialists of Laventille – Moving – 268 points
• Pan Elders Steel Orchestra – Come Out to Play – 266 points
• Dixieland Steel Orchestra – This Melody Sweet – 265 points
• Arima Angel Harps – Is Thunder – 261 points
• NGC Steel Xplosion – Both Ah Them – 260 points
• Sangre Grande Cordettes – Soca Baptist – 259 points