Tag: Pan Trinbago

Junior Panorama champs crowned

ST FRANCOIS Valley Stars emerged as the winner of the new Pan Trinbago under-19 category in the January 18 Junior Panorama.

The event, held at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, saw a number of secondary school bands formed into junior bands, participating.

First Citizens Supernovas Youth Steel Orchestra performs Jamtown. – Photo by Lincoln Holder

The schools opted out of the National Schools Panorama due to it moving to Skinner Park, San Fernando. The schools then said it was too short a timeframe to allow for their participation in the schools Panorama.

A Fonclaire Juniors Steel Orchestra plays the pan. – Photo by Lincoln Holder

On January 18, ten bands competed in that category, with BATCE (Bishop Anstey Trinity College East) Steel placing second and Sapphonic Steel placing third.

A tiny tot performs with Uptown Fascinators Youth Orchestra. – Photo by Lincoln Holder

In the under-21 category, Shell Invaders Youth Steel Orchestra walked away with the winning title while BP Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra placed second and T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps Youth Steel Orchestra and First Citizens Supernovas Youth Steel Orchestra tied for third.

Youth steel on a positive note

ON JANUARY 18 and 19, TT’s youth advanced, sticks raised, to create music in steelbands featuring both children at primary schools and young adults at secondary schools.

Despite concerns about moving the finals of the National Schools’ Panorama to Skinner Park, San Fernando, on short notice, a robust number of schools declared their eligibility for preliminary judging, marking an important change in the competition.

The top 12 primary schools from the preliminaries of the national schools’ competition and ten secondary schools’ finalists comprise a cross-section of the country’s schools, from Diego Martin to Penal.

The change to Skinner Park seemed to offer more opportunities for school bands outside San Fernando and Port of Spain, and more opportunities to encourage music performance and appreciation in their curricula should be pursued.

The number of bands that have rallied for these two days of competition also points to the viability of a youth steelband music festival separated from the pressures of Carnival to encourage music on pan for its own sake beyond the pursuit of trophies.

The under-21 and under-19 competition announced by Pan Trinbago for Sunday’s finals – still at Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain – in response to the venue change was also spirited, representing a net gain for youths in music further stoking passion for the national instrument.

Amid these positive developments, there are issues that should have been quietly resolved.

On January 12, Pan Trinbago’s president Beverly Ramsey-Moore blasted NCC chairman Peter Kanhai about problems with the design and execution of the stage at Skinner Park after instruments and two moko jumbies, leaving the stage, fell.

Fault was found with its design, a smooth surface and steep incline and a stage area that was simply too small for the small conventional bands crossing it. What was a problem for adult bands with experience in stage performance is unacceptable for the children who will perform on it.

The NCC must ensure that all appropriate steps have been taken, inclusive of additional stage support staff, to ensure the safety of minor players.

In the larger scale of the relationship between Pan Trinbago and the government, there is clearly more work that needs to be done to find common ground.

Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin has made much of the support given by her ministry to unsponsored steelbands, but the state has itself made five steelbands unsponsored with the withdrawal of sponsorship by the National Gas Company and Heritage Petroleum. Skiffle Bunch, Siparia Deltones, Couva Joylanders, La Brea Nightingales and Steel Xplosion found themselves without support at the end of 2025, just as they were beginning their Panorama preparations.

Reports that Sport Ministry PS David Nakhid boldly jumped out of his crease recently to confront Mrs Ramsey-Moore do not inspire confidence in any meaningful alignment of government promises for cultural support and the mixed messages of its reality.

Ramsey-Moore blasts NCC over stage safety at small pan finals

ONE day after National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Peter Kanhai was booed at the opening of the John Cupid Carnival Village at the Queen’s Park Savannah on January 11, he came under sharp criticism from Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore the following night at Skinner Park.

Ramsey-Moore delivered a blistering rebuke of the NCC at the start of the National Panorama 2026 Small Conventional Bands finals on January 12, after a series of mishaps delayed the competition.

The incident was triggered when musical instruments and two moko jumbies accompanying Fusion Steel Orchestra fell while the band was leaving the stage. The mishap was attributed to the stage’s infrastructure, including a smooth surface and a steep incline at the entrance and exit.

As a result, Fusion Steel Orchestra – performing Darren Sheppard’s arrangement of Signal for Lara – was unable to exit the stage promptly after its performance. This caused a delay and prevented Tokyo Steel Orchestra, scheduled to perform second, from taking the stage.

With the delay ongoing, Ramsey-Moore, who was seated under a tent with judges and other VIPs, took the microphone and openly criticised the NCC.

“Fusion completed quite a while and they cannot get off the stage as fast as they should, which is going to take us to two, three o’clock – maybe six o’clock in the morning – because of the board, the NCC board,” she said.

The competition, which began at 7 pm on January 10, eventually ended around 2 am on January 11.

Ramsey-Moore accused the NCC leadership of being disconnected from the steelband movement.

“A new board, a new minister, a new CEO who are not listening to the movement, Pan Trinbago. Everything we have required, they have short-changed us,” she said. “It seems the focus is up at Flava (the new Carnival Culinary Experience) or at John Cupid Carnival Village, because they have even scheduled events at the same time we are celebrating our small pan movement.”

Appealing to the small audience for patience, Ramsey-Moore defended Pan Trinbago, insisting the organisation was not at fault.

“It is not the fault of Pan Trinbago. It is not the fault of our workers,” she said, while calling for volunteers to help remove the band from the stage.

“People are falling. Pans are falling. Just go and help,” she pleaded emotionally.

Vowing to protect the steelband movement, Ramsey-Moore added, “Steelband is a movement. I am tired, but we will fight. We will not give up the struggle. Pan is spirit, and pan will live on.”

Attempts to contact Kanhai for comment were unsuccessful. Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin and parliamentary secretary in the ministry, Dr Narindara Roopnarine, were in attendance earlier in the evening but were not present when Ramsey-Moore made her remarks.

In an interview with Newsday, arranger Darren Sheppard shared his experience and concerns regarding the stage.

“I agree that the stage was too small. Whatever was used to cover the stage – that black covering – was too smooth. There were some grips on it, but it did not make much of a difference,” Sheppard said.

“I passed earlier in the day to check the stage because we were band number one. I recognised the sharp slope and that the coating on the stage was far too smooth. Two of our moko jumbies fell and were injured.”

Sheppard said the incline and surface also made it difficult to manoeuvre the floats used on the largest pan racks.

“It was a challenge getting the floats up on stage, not only because of the incline but because it was smooth. The stage was also not the normal height – it should have been higher. If the stage was bigger, you would still have an incline, but you would have a longer run-up.”

He also raised concerns about sound quality for the opening band.

“Always the band that plays first is the guinea pig in terms of the sound system. A couple of audience members told me they were not hearing the basses clearly,” he said.

In his view, Sheppard said, the first band should be allowed a sound check on the stage before competition begins.

“There is precedent for that,” he added.

Government's Carnival give and take

Government’s approach to managing Carnival 2026 has bruised egos, scuttled events and left steelbands struggling.

Even as those once state agency sponsored bands recut their suits to fit vastly diminished cloth, Cabinet approved $2.3 million in funding for 145 unsponsored steelbands to assist with their preparations for the festival.

Conventional bands will receive $20,000 while single bands will be granted $10,000. It’s small money, but these bands have always made precious little go a long way.

School steelbands were given little time to adjust to a new finals venue, Skinner Park, leaving many school bands, who use the equipment of community steelbands, unable to assemble the resources to transport bands to the south venue.

In response, Pan Trinbago added an under-19 steelband category to Sunday’s upcoming Junior Panorama competition. Many school bands have rebranded to enter that competition instead.

What seems to be missing is a clear strategy for these changes, which have not benefited from consultation with vulnerable creative stakeholders.

But creatives are doing their Carnival arts.

The National Dance Association of TT will return limbo to the national Carnival calendar with Doh Fraid De Fire, the first national limbo competition in almost two decades.

Couva’s Carnival Committee pleaded with corporate sponsors at its launch December 6 with a plea to companies to supplement the subvention it receives from the National Carnival Commission (NCC).

Committee chairman, Ramchand Rajbal Maraj crowned Nyasa Semper Miss Central Trinidad on Thursday, a hopeful beginning to Couva’s Carnival celebrations.

Money issues are underlining every move by the government since taking office.

Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin ordered an audit into the spending of the commission, concerned that the state entity had spent its budget allocation of $141 million and a loan of $200 million against gate receipts of $11 million.

That barely covers the interest on the commission’s rolling debt of $178 million.

The NCC is spending far more than it earns against nebulous economic gains that have never been satisfactorily quantified and audited.

The country is expected to believe that billions flow into the country because of the annual event, but there is notable and historical recalcitrance to put verifiable numbers behind that claim.

The Ministry and the NCC are clearly trying to change things for Carnival, but it feels like yanking at the tiller of the Titanic at this point.

Any sailor knows that you can draw a straight line between destinations on a map, but getting there is a fight against the ocean and wind direction, requiring constant course correction and an often erratic path.

The patience of stakeholders might be more easily won over by a clear articulation of a sensible destination for Carnival planning that explains the jerk and pull of this season’s changes.

Pan Trinbago glad for grant to unsponsored bands

PAN Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore expressed her thanks for the government’s $2.3 million in funding for unsponsored steel-bands, in a statement via WhatsApp to Newsday on December 9. The grant was announced on December 8 by Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin at the post Cabinet briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s.

The minister said the grant would pay to buy and chrome steel pans and for transportation costs for 147 bands.

Ramsey-Moore said, “Pan Trinbago wishes to clarify that the financial assistance announced by the Honourable Minister of Culture and Community Development is not new.

“This support has existed previously and is directed toward unsponsored carnival bands participating in carnival activities.”

She said the grant was not limited to Panorama bands nor bands participating in competitions only.

“We also wish to note that the allocation was increased last year (2025), having been moved under the Carnival framework and adjusted from $7,500 to $10,000 for single pan Bands and $15,000 to $20,000 for conventional bands.

“We are pleased that this increase has been consistently maintained by the current government.”

She said Pan Trinbago looks forward to continued collaboration with the government and the ministry in strengthening support systems for steel-bands and the national musical instrument.

Pan Trinbago defends steelpan's value as NGC withdraws sponsorship

PAN TRINBAGO has pushed back against comments by National Gas Company (NGC) chairman Gerald Ramdeen, saying his remarks undervalue the social, cultural and economic contributions of steelbands and mischaracterise corporate sponsorship as being outside the remit of responsible state enterprise operations.

In a statement issued in response to Ramdeen’s comments, the national organisation representing steelbands said it recognises that state enterprises must operate responsibly and in the best interest of the people, but argued that cultural investment is a core element of corporate social responsibility, not an optional gesture.

Pan Trinbago expressed particular concern over NGC’s decision to withdraw sponsorship simultaneously from three steelbands and from the organisation itself, calling the move “a regrettable lack of consideration” for the steelband community and for the steelpan, the national musical instrument of Trinidad and Tobago.

The organisation said the timing of the decision is especially troubling as the steelpan continues to gain unprecedented global visibility and acclaim.

“Withdrawing support without dialogue or negotiation disregards the social and cultural significance of corporate sponsorship and undermines years of progress,” the statement said. “Sponsorship is not a personal favour. It represents corporate social responsibility, social and economic investment in community building, and support for at-risk communities.”

Pan Trinbago said that steelbands function far beyond musical performance, describing panyards as classrooms, safe spaces and extended families that nurture discipline, creativity and resilience among young people.

From Junior Panorama programs to large conventional bands, Pan Trinbago said sponsorship supports a wide cultural ecosystem, benefiting instrument makers, uniform tailors, transport providers, food vendors and local artisans.

According to Pan Trinbago, the loss of a sponsor affects not only musicians but also the broader social fabric, reducing opportunities for youth development, cultural participation and community cohesion, while limiting the continued growth of the steelpan locally and internationally.

The organisation said it remains committed to advocating for steelband members and safeguarding the legacy of steelpan music, while continuing to promote the instrument as a key pillar of cultural tourism and national identity.

Pan Trinbago described the steelpan as a unifying force across cultures, races and social backgrounds, adding that it will continue to champion what it called “one family: the steelpan family.”

NGC chairman Gerald Ramdeen. – File photo by Angelo Marcelle

In response to questions from Newsday, Ramdeen said the company was not a charity.

In an email to Newsday on December 25, Ramdeen said, “We are not here to be a Ministry of Culture or Sport. Despite what many may think, the NGC is not a charity. We are here to run a gas company and earn a reasonable return for the shareholders, the people of this country.

“We recognise our corporate responsibility and will discharge that responsibility in a prudent and frugal manner, having regard always to the best interest of the NGC, our country and our shareholders.”

He said the cuts in expenditure at the NGC were intended to bring order to the chaos and cease the fiscal indiscipline that occurred at the company under the previous administration.

Stakeholders slam 5-year delay for steelpan coat of arms: Upset over pan ‘disrespect’

PAN TRINBAGO, the world governing body for the steelpan, has expressed its “deep disappointment” over the government’s decision to extend the use of the former coat of arms until January 2, 2031.

The decision, contained in Legal Notice No. 468, has been condemned by the opposition as secretive, unnecessary, and politically motivated.

In a news release on December 23, Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said the delay contradicts the spirit of unity shown earlier this year when the House of Representatives moved to replace the three ships.

She said the announcement comes as a surprise.

“We are deeply disappointed. Both the government and opposition stood shoulder to shoulder in full support of the amendment. It was debated, scrutinised, passed, assented to, and proclaimed.”

She said to now defer the implementation to 2031 sends an unfortunate message, not only to the steelpan community, but to every citizen who celebrated this long-awaited moment of national pride.

Ramsey-Moore said the organisation championed the initial move as a vital step in post-colonial transformation, arguing the steelpan represents the “ingenuity of resilience” of the people.

She emphasised Pan Trinbago’s stance is “not adversarial,” but the organisation has a responsibility to protect the legacy of the instrument.

“Despite political differences, to step back now risks undermining the cultural progress we have made and diminishes the significance of the steelpan to our national identity.

The move to include the pan on the coat of arms followed a string of recent milestones, Ramsey-Moore added, stressing the pan is more than just a symbol: it is a global industry and a cultural bridge.

“Delaying implementation to 2031 is not in alignment with the spirit of unity and progress demonstrated when the bill was unanimously passed.”

The extension is authorised under Section 5(2) of the National Emblems of Trinidad and Tobago (Regulation) (Amendment) Act, 2025, which allows the minister to prescribe a later date for continued use of the former emblem.

While the steelpan symbolises national pride, resilience, and cultural identity, the government determined it was “expedient” to delay full implementation of the new coat of arms for an additional five years.

Newsday contacted Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo via WhatsApp to inquire about the potential savings from the deferral and how those funds would be reallocated.

He said “There is no postponement; both coats of arms have been in use since the new coat of arms have been approved. What was done is out a definite deadline by which the transition must be done. This is a simple matter of common sense.”

The minister did not respond when asked for the cost to update the country’s currency to the new design.

In January, during debate in the Lower House, former prime minister Dr Keith Rowley said the cost to change the emblem would be “minimal.”

He argued the transition avoids waste by replacing items only as needed: for example, existing passports will remain in use until renewal. Rowley said, the only significant expense is updating digital templates, which modern technology makes inexpensive.

When the government transitioned the national currency to polymer in 2019, the Central Bank’s 2020 Annual Report noted printing costs surged by 58 per cent during that fiscal year, totalling $78.77 million for the issuance of new notes.

The $100 bill first transitioned from cotton to polymer, followed by the gradual phased transition of the $1, $5, $10, and $20 denominations.

‘Mysterious legal notice’

Opposition Chief Whip Marvin Gonzales, in a Facebook post on December 23, questioned both the timing and rationale behind the extension.

In a strongly worded statement, Gonzales posed a series of pointed questions directed at the government.

“Why has the new coat of arms disturbed the sensitivity of the government?” he asked.

“Why did the national instrument offend this country’s leadership so deeply that, in the midst of Christmas preparations, a mysterious legal notice was quietly published delaying its use?”

Gonzales further questioned when Cabinet approved the decision and why it was not announced through a press release or press conference. “Why does the government believe the people of TT are fools?”

He also linked the decision to wider concerns about state support for culture, questioning whether it was the reason why sponsorship of major steelbands has been denied or suspended.

“This is now the latest blatant attack on a cultural symbol of our national community. This country is being led by extremist hatred and dark revenge. But the longest rope has an end.”

Former prime minister and energy minister Stuart Young also denounced the extension, describing it as yet another blow to the steelpan and national culture.

Young accused the government of acting without transparency, calling it “another strike on the national instrument”, and accused the government of issuing an order in the dark and without any transparency whilst delaying the adoption of the steelpan.

He argued the decision could not be viewed in isolation, pointing to what he described as a pattern of hostility toward pan culture since May 2025.

“The UNC has instructed the cancellation of sponsorship for many steelbands throughout the country. This is a calculated policy being executed against pan and all of its positives.”

He also linked the issue to other recent government actions affecting the cultural sector, including decisions announced via social media regarding Carnival events, venue cancellations without consultation, reduced sponsorship, and increased alcohol prices.

“I condemn these decisions without fear of contradiction. Our sweet pan and our Carnival culture will survive, because they are a movement of the people, for the people,” he concluded.

Concerns over sponsorship intensified in September when steelpan players in the south and central regions were left angered after state-owned National Gas Company (NGC) withdrew sponsorship from three steelbands. NGC also pulled support from Pan Trinbago.

In a termination letter dated September 3 to the Couva Joylanders executive manager, NGC cited Article 7(b) of its January 1, 2023 agreement, which allowed termination “for convenience.”

The letter said while NGC valued the relationship, it was re-evaluating existing contracts and determined continuation was no longer viable. The band was given seven days’ notice, with termination taking effect on September 11.

A similar letter was sent to Pan Trinbago saying under Article 4.3 of the agreement, no further disbursement of funds would occur after September 11, and unused funds were to be returned within 30 days.

Former minister of culture Randall Mitchell also strongly criticised the extension, using social media to express his outrage. In a Facebook post, Mitchell wrote the government “must really hate the steelpan, those who invented it, and its contribution to our national identity.”

Mitchell lamented in January the parliament unanimously voted to remove Christopher Columbus’s ships, a symbol he says represents colonial brutality.

“Now in government, the UNC has issued a legal order allowing the old coat of arms with Columbus’ ships to be used for another five years, until January 2031 – without public consultation or explanation, and quietly during the Christmas season.”

Mitchell described a pattern of decisions he believes demonstrates a disdain for the steelpan movement, including the withdrawal of state sponsorship for steelbands, confusion surrounding Schools Panorama, inadequate Panorama funding, and the absence of funding for World Steelpan Day celebrations.

Taken together, Mitchell said, these actions reinforce public concern that “the steelpan and the steelpan movement are under attack by the Kamla Persad-Bissessar government.”

He also posed unanswered questions to the administration regarding its justification, the financial cost implications, and why it would extend the use of the old emblem at all if they supported the inclusion of the steelpan.

Pan will always have a home at President’s House, says Kangaloo

AT a moment when the steelband movement is grappling with shrinking state support, President Christine Kangaloo offered a pointed message of reassurance on the night of December 3 – the national instrument will always have a home at the President’s official residence.

Speaking at the inaugural Steelpan Royale: An Evening of Elegance held at President’s House on December 3, Kangaloo said the concert was designed to highlight the instrument’s global stature and unrivalled versatility.

“The idea behind this evening’s event is to showcase the versatility of the steelpan, and in particular, its ability to command any stage, anywhere in the world,” she told guests gathered in the grand ballroom.

“We will recognise and remember that there is no stage and no forum that the steelpan cannot conquer; and that there is no place in the world in which the steelpan cannot feel completely at home.”

Against the backdrop of financial uncertainty sweeping the steelband community where five bands have lost state support in recent months, and Pan Trinbago itself has been affected, Kangaloo’s remarks carried added resonance.

The sponsorship withdrawals by state energy companies have come at a critical time, with bands are preparing for Carnival 2026 and its suite of Panorama competitions, all costly undertakings. Several groups have expressed fears about their ability to compete.

On December 3, however, the focus returned to the music and the enduring spirit of the instrument.

Kangaloo and her husband, Kerwyn Garcia, welcomed diplomats, regional leaders, beauty queens, creative luminaries, and captains of industry to the first-of-its-kind event, which highlighted the steelpan in a formal concert setting.

“For both of us, there can be no more fitting place for citizens to gather than the seat of the highest office in the land,” Kangaloo said. “We are delighted that the steelpan has a home right here, at the President’s House.”

For many in attendance, the message was clear that while funding uncertainties trouble the steelband sector, President’s House has staked its position firmly. Steelpan, born from struggle and creativity, remains not only a symbol of national pride but a cultural treasure that will always have a place at the nation’s highest seat of office.

Pan maestro Ray Holman performs at Steelpan Royale at President’s House, St Ann’s on December 3. – Photo by Faith Ayoung

The programme featured extraordinary performances from steelpan maestros Ray Holman, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, and Natasha Joseph, each delivering solo selections that illuminated the pan’s expressive range and its ability to embody elegance just as powerfully as it rules the panyard or Panorama stage.

Their repertoire included Christmas favourites such as Deck the Halls, I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, Sleigh Ride, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, and Little Drummer Boy.

The three legends later joined forces in a spirited collaboration that shifted the evening into full festive splendour, delivering soca parang crowd-pleasers like Baron’s Come Go and Scrunter’s Ma Jeffrey, to the delight of the audience.

The iconic Lydians, under the leadership of Dr Edward Cumberbatch, brought the curtains down on the evening’s showcase of pan, parang, and classics. Cumberbatch led a stirring rendition of Nessun Dorma before the ensemble delivered a show-stopping finale — a tassa-infused arrangement of the Hallelujah Chorus that earned one of several standing ovations.

With musical direction by maestro Pelham Goddard and his band, Steelpan Royale affirmed the instrument’s status as both a national treasure and a global artistic force.

As guests departed, Kangaloo and her husband stood by the exit thanking them for attending and extending warm seasonal greetings for “a Merry Christmas and a bright and prosperous new year.”

Ramsey-Moore vows to defend steelpan amid financial strain

PRESIDENT of Pan Trinbago Beverly Ramsey-Moore has vowed to fight fearlessly to protect the steelpan and the legacy of the nation’s “pancestors,” even as Panorama 2026 confronts one of its most serious financial crises in decades.

Her declaration came on November 29 at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, just before the start of the single pan finals—the first national Panorama final of the 2026 season—held despite significant economic setbacks, including the withdrawal of government support for Pan Trinbago and the sudden loss of sponsorship for five steelbands in three months.

Only days earlier, state-owned Heritage Petroleum pulled its sponsorship from Skiffle and Siparia Deltones, following NGC’s withdrawal a few months prior. The move has left several bands scrambling to prepare for the small, medium, and large band Panorama categories.

Participating in Panorama has always been demanding financially, a burden intensified this year as cultural allocations shrink. For many community-based bands, sponsorship is not a bonus but a necessity—a loss that threatens not just their ability to compete, but in some cases, their very survival.

Yet, as Ramsey-Moore emphasised, these same bands serve a vital social purpose as young people now make up the majority of players, finding in pan a source of discipline, unity, and direction.

“Pan keeps our youths in line and out of trouble. When you invest in pan, you invest in our future,” she said.

Before the small but loyal audience gathered at the Grand Stand, she delivered a message of defiance and resilience.

“Pan is spirit and pan will never die,” she said. “We are an organisation of resistance. Nothing would shake us. Despite the challenges our bands are facing… We shall overcome.”

The single pan finals pushed ahead, rolling into the early hours of November 30. Of the 48 bands that auditioned – the highest number in recent years – 25 secured places in the finals. Defending champions San Juan East Side Symphony again proved unbeatable, capturing their ninth Single Pan title and the unchanged first prize of $275,000.

“This is a celebration of who we are,” Ramsey-Moore reminded the audience. “A legacy built with fire, forged with courage, and sustained through generations.”

She invoked the steelpan’s humble beginnings, crafted from discarded oil drums by resourceful pioneers who created the world’s only musical instrument invented in the 20th century.

“We will not let that vision die,” she declared. “The steelpan is a living monument of resilience, creativity, and community. It is ours to protect and pass forward.”

“We honour the visionaries, rebels, craftsmen, and dreamers who carved a national instrument out of discarded oil drums. We celebrate the arrangers, tuners, drillmasters, captains, and players who carry this artform into the future… It is the instrument of our unity, our culture, and our national pride.”

With financial pressure mounting, although prize money remains untouched for the single pan finals, she appealed directly to the corporate sector to sustain the artform as panorama preparations continue.

“Pan is community. Pan is spirit. I ask all corporate TT to get involved. Support a steelband in your community. Invest in our heritage.”

She noted that Panorama began in 1963 and, 63 years later, “still beats at the heart of who we are. It connects every region, every generation, and every Trinbagonian.

“One love. One country. One rhythm. One steelpan. So let the music begin. The legacy is ours to love—and ours to cherish.”

NCC chairman Peter Kanhai speaks at the 2026 Panorama Single Pan finals held at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on November 29. – Photo by Lincoln Holder

In his address, chairman of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) Peter Kanhai, reaffirmed NCC’s commitment to safeguarding the steelpan as a core pillar of carnival.

“Legacy is not merely memory. It is our responsibility, one we must wholeheartedly embrace as we raise the steelpan, the pan-man and the pan-woman to a higher place.”

He praised Pan Trinbago and the finalists for keeping the single pan category—small in size but “big in talent and heart”—vibrant within the carnival calendar.

Linking his remarks to next year’s Carnival theme, Yuh Go Love Dis, he said the steelpan remains one of the strongest reasons TT’s festival captivates the world.

“There are many elements that make our carnival so loved, but with neither exception nor doubt, our steelpan is one of the most powerful. When we say, ‘Yuh Go Love Dis,’ we are telling the world we have the best of the best.”

Pan Trinbago celebrates clean audit, $6m surplus

PAN TRINBAGO president Beverly Ramsey-Moore says the organisation is in its strongest financial position in years, with a $6 million surplus and a fully repaid loan, and she does not expect any cuts in prizes, assistance to bands, or players’ remittances, as the steelpan fraternity awaits the national budget.

Speaking after the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the VIP Lounge, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, on October 5, Ramsey-Moore said Pan Trinbago continues to demonstrate strong financial accountability and national relevance.

“I know it’s a new government and they have to make their assessments, but I look forward to positive allocations in the budget that will go towards the steelpan community.”

Calling the AGM “extremely successful”, Ramsey-Moore said over 119 bands were represented by two delegates each. Ramsey-Moore said she was proud that for the fifth consecutive year, Pan Trinbago received unqualified (clean) audited financial statements.

“When we came in in 2018, we inherited a demand loan that the last executive had taken from First Citizens Bank. Every year, we continued to pay on it. After successful negotiations with the bank, we were able to complete the payment in December.”

She underscored Pan Trinbago’s broader role in national development, beyond the annual Panorama competition.

“We are not just a Panorama organisation. We have declared in our mantra there is no season for pan: there is the panyard model.”

She pointed to President Christine Kangaloo, who she said has recognised this. The President, in July at her Pan Camp 2025, encouraged citizens to embrace transformation using the steelpan as a symbol of unity, creativity and discipline.

Ramsey-Moore said, “We have many young men in at-risk areas, and our delegates and members play a role in keeping our country safe. That should be taken into consideration when it comes to funding the organisation.”

Relationship with minister ‘developing’

On her working relationship with new Culture and Community Development Minister Michelle Benjamin, Ramsey-Moore said it is “developing”.

“It is our responsibility as Pan Trinbago to work with the government, because we are about the business of developing Trinidad and Tobago”.

She added Pan Trinbago must collaborate not only with the Minister of Culture but also with ministers of Youth Development, Trade, Tourism, and other sectors that impact people.

During the open-floor session at the AGM, a members questioned whether the current administration supports Pan Trinbago and raised concerns about potential implications for future funding.

Ramsey-Moore responded, “Members are extremely concerned. The first signal sent to the organisation was a letter stating, ‘We don’t need your president,’ and asking us to name someone else. The members saw that as an insult and a disrespect.”

She said those issues have since been resolved.

“The line minister has pledged and committed to working with the organisation. You don’t treat us lightly. We are the world governing body of the steelpan. I must say that we are developing a good relationship. I expect better, and I expect the best.”

On the support of her membership, Ramsey-Moore said, “They trust their leaders, the central executive, and the regional bodies. You saw what happened here today — this was a beautiful meeting. The members love their president.”

‘First Citizens $5m loan repaid’

Reflecting on her leadership since 2018, she said the organisation has turned a corner.

“We were definitely in a state. We have cleaned up the brand, and now we are in a safe space. We are in a better position financially, and we stand on the hallmark of accountability and transparency, good governance across the board.”

Pan Trinbago treasurer Lauren Pierre confirmed the $5 million First Citizens loan had been fully paid off, and the organisation recorded a $6 million surplus for the year.

“We also transferred $1 million into savings,” she said.

Pierre said Pan Trinbago is doing “very well,” and echoed Ramsey-Moore’s pride in receiving a fifth consecutive clean audit opinion.

Asked to explain what that meant, she said, “A clean audit means the financial statements are free from any material misstatements. The auditors came into Pan Trinbago, reviewed all the documentation, and were fully satisfied. They didn’t find anything alarming. It shows we are accounting properly for the funds we receive.”

She said the organisation’s marketing team secured over $5 million in sponsorships, and the organisation’s equity now stands at $7 million.

“That reflects our ability to comfortably meet all liabilities. We’re in a very steady financial position, and we’re extremely proud of what we’ve achieved.”

Asked if there are contingency plans in case of budget cuts, Pierre said, “We are led by president Beverly Ramsey-Moore, and as a central executive team, we will have those discussions when the time comes.”

Her message to members and potential partners: “Pan Trinbago is in a good space. We are financially accountable, and we are ready. Panorama is coming. So invest, we know how to manage your money, and we are very happy to have you on board.”

Benjamin vows to help 3 steelbands, Pan Trinbago after NGC withdraws sponsorship

MINISTER of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin has given a commitment to seek a way forward for Pan Trinbago and the three steelbands which have lost their sponsorships from the National Gas Company (NGC).

NGC’s termination of its sponsorship for Couva Joylanders, La Brea Nightingales and Steel XPlosion of Tobago became effective on September 11.

The sudden termination of this partnership has left the pan fraternity in upheaval, with the named steelbands scuttling to secure funding to implement planned programmes and get ready for the 2026 Panorama season – the cornerstone of Carnival.

Steel Xplosion PRO Mickel Gilman confirmed NGC’s action on September 12 noting that it brought to a close a long-standing partnership that had supported the steelband’s growth and community outreach.

The band’s executive, he said, remained shocked.

“I was quite surprised especially how they would have stated it. They would have just said that we are no longer viable. They didn’t go into any specific details as to if anything was breached concerning our contract, if anything wasn’t done correctly – nothing like that.”

He said the executive responded with a letter to NGC and was awaiting a response.

“We have decided that we would wait at least seven days and if nothing – no information is given, then we would move forward as a band.”

He remained positive should they have to get another sponsor ahead of the season.

“As one door closes, another will open, so we remain in a positive mindset as to moving forward into the upcoming panorama season.”

He said the band has already spoken to its arrangers and drill masters.

In a statement issued to the public, the band informed its members, supporters and the wider community the sponsorship agreement with NGC had ended.

“We extend our deepest gratitude to NGC for their invaluable support over the years. Their sponsorship has allowed us to achieve milestones in youth development, capacity building, organisational strengthening and engaging youths in music education.

“While this marks the close of a significant chapter, it also opens the door to new opportunities.”

The statement said the band’s commitment to promoting steelpan culture and empowering its players and members remained strong.

Gerald Ramdeen, the NGC chairman, did not respond to several calls to seek clarity on any reassessment of other cultural, educational and social initiatives.

Newsday contacted the NGC TT Sweet Tassa Group of Princes Town to find out whether they faced a similar fate. However, the spokesman for the group said while there is no indication its sponsorship would be pulled, the band was not at liberty to speak about its arrangement.

In a response to questions from Newsday, Benjamin via a WhatsApp message, noted NGC’s withdrawal of the steelband sponsorship.

She said, “As the national musical instrument of TT, the steelpan holds a central place in our cultural identity and the ministry views the funding and support of its initiatives, whether through sponsorships or remittances, as a matter of high priority, particularly as we approach Carnival 2026.”

Since assuming office, she said, “My priority has been to engage in meaningful dialogue with key stakeholders to ensure sustainable and accountable partnerships between state enterprises, cultural organisations and the wider community.”

She confirmed that she has been in active conversations with both Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore and representatives of NGC, “to explore a feasible way forward.”

“These discussions are ongoing and while further consultation is required, I wish to give the assurance that I am committed to safeguarding the interests of the steelpan fraternity. I remain focused on promoting collaboration and sustainability in cultural sponsorship.”

Ramsey-Moore has been preaching non-stop the importance of the panyard, especially in the lives of young people, guiding them towards a positive path as it seeks to develop and preserve the artform.

In this vein, Benjamin noted the concerns expressed, “regarding the potential impact on our youths who now represent the majority of steelband players.

“Protecting and empowering our youth remains a central priority of this government. As such, the Ministry of Culture will do everything in its remit to safeguard their development and ensure that their involvement in the steelpan movement continues to receive meaningful support.” (with reporting by Kinnesha George-Harry)

NGC drops steelbands, withdraws sponsorship from 3 pansides, Pan Trinbago

YVONNE WEBB and MELISSA DOUGHTY

STEELPAN players in the south/central region of Pan Trinbago have been left fuming after state company National Gas Company (NGC) on September 11 withdrew its sponsorship from three steelbands – Couva Joylanders, La Brea Nightingale and Steel X Plosion of Tobago – and pulled support for Pan Trinbago.

In the termination letter to Couva Joylanders executive manager Richard Gill, dated September 3, NGC noted Article 7(b) of their January 1, 2023, agreement, which said: “The sponsor shall have the right to terminate this agreement for convenience.” That letter said while the company valued the business relationship between NGC and Joylanders, it was currently re-evaluating existing contracts and determined that this was no longer viable for the company to continue under the present agreement.

It gave the band seven days notice of its intent to terminate the existing agreement with the termination taking effect from September 11.

A similar letter was sent to Pan Trinbago with the exception being that it stated in accordance with article 4.3 of the initial agreement there was to be no further disbursement of funds by the company after the September 11 termination date and Pan Trinbago should within 30 days return unused funds to NGC.

Speaking with Newsday on condition of anonymity, players said they were left extremely emotional after hearing the news.

“Don’t touch we pan. Don’t touch we culture,” one player said.

Players said the panyard has become a haven for young people and an alternative to crime, especially in depressed communities like La Brea and Couva, and to take away sponsorship has the effect of “destroying that safe space.”

Commenting on the withdrawal of the state-owned company’s sponsorships, effective September 11, Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore said this was a devastating blow to the fraternity.

“Government must say whether it wants nothing to do with pan.”

Ramsey-Moore questioned the message being sent to pan players by these withdrawals, and whether a precedent is being set for other state enterprises to pull their support. The National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) has been sponsoring Fonclaire and Buccaneers Steel Orchestras for years, while Heritage is the official sponsor of Skiffle and Siparia Deltones, which is in the Prime Minister’s Siparia constituency.

“Would NLCB and Heritage follow suit and what about other corporate bodies, would they do the same?”

“I don’t think this was well thought out. It is insensitive and a wicked act, coming days after pan month when the national instrument was celebrated and Joshua Regrello was certified as earning the Guiness Book of World Record for the longest pan-playing session.”

She said she contacted Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin who promised to have a conversation with the chair of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) Peter Kanhai, with a view to resolving the issue. Ramsey-Moore who also sits on the NCC board, said she is still awaiting a response.

Energy companies have had a history of support for local steelbands including bpTT, Shell, Heritage and Proman for a number of years. In 2024, bpTT was the title sponsor for Panorama competition and also sponsors steelbands.

Last month, NGC reported $1.6 billion in profits in its financial year ending December 31, 2024. Attorney Gerald Ramdeen is NGC’s chairman.

Former NGC president and musician Mark Loquan, who died on April 6, was a committed supporter of the steelband movement. He not only played with Silver Stars but also became a renowned composer.

Joylanders’ expansion plans shattered

Pan executives from both Steel X Plosion and Nightingale declined comment on September 11, but the manager of Joylanders, Gill, said this was a shocker. He said it has left their entrance into Panorama 2026 in jeopardy.

Gill said the band enjoyed an amazing 13-year partnership with NGC and was expecting a renewal of their contract on December 2025. The contracts of the other two bands were also set to end in December 2025.

“We embarked on this partnership 13 years ago, under the first incarnation of Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar during the People’s Partnership administration.”

Over those 13 years, he said, “NGC was doing a wonderful job with us, doing a lot of youth education and music programmes, capacity building.

“I was thinking national pride, national instrument, national company, it would have been renewed, but for this to happen now and with no reason, it is quite a shocker.

“There was no consultation, no conversation, no warning whatsoever that this was going to happen. We got one phone call and then an e-mail on the same day. We tried to have a conversation with the company, but that was not forthcoming.”

Having its main source of funding pulled could not have come at a more inappropriate time as the medium-sized band was in the process of transitioning to the large-band category and establishing its junior band.

“This must stop because we do not know where the funding would be coming from to finance these projects.”

He said if they had any notion the partnership would have ended so abruptly, they would have planned different and reached out to potential sponsors.

Months before Christmas and when corporate bodies would have already planned their expenditure for the next year, he said they do not have much elbow room to negotiate new arrangements. “Our members are broken-hearted because they have been performing above and beyond, meeting all the requirements and expectations, but we would not give up. We are still hopeful for a breakthrough.”

Steelbands depend on corporate support

Ramsey-Moore said steelbands, over the years, depended on corporate support to achieve its community- and youth-development goals.

She said when the call was made in the early 1950s to have corporate TT come on board to support a movement that was built out of struggle, resilience, the response was great.

She said international and state companies have made a significant contribution to steelpan’s development and global appeal.

Ramsey-Moore said NGC’s letters to the steelbands failed to reflect the relationships forged over the eyars.

“I am worried because this could have been approached differently. I am worried because there is no reason why there should be a letter that was insensitive.”

Ramsey-Moore was concerned about how this might harm the gains made by the organisation.

A media release from Pan Trinbago called on companies to come forward and sponsor a band.

It said, “While we value and appreciate NGC’s longstanding support over the years, we are deeply concerned by both the decision and the manner in which it was implemented.”

In that release Ramsey-Moore described the company’s decision as insensitive and one which demonstrated a lack of respect for the steelband community and for pan as the country’s national instrument, especially at a point where the instrument was on global ascent.

“Withdrawing support without dialogue or negotiation disregards the social and cultural significance of corporate sponsorship and undermines the progress that has been gained over the years,” it said.

It said, however, that the organisation remained steadfast in advocating for all steelband members and ensuring that pan’s rich legacy thrived.

It listed ways companies, organisations or people could come contact them if interested in sponsoring a band.

Newsday tried contacting NGC’s corporate communications manager but, up to publication, did not receive a response.

An independence of thought

THE government’s cancellation of the traditional Independence Day parade and fireworks display has proven divisive, despite the concerns about national security given as the reason for the change.

The Tobago House of Assembly followed the announcement with its own cancellation of any parade, official function, or state-sponsored fireworks to mark the nation’s 63rd anniversary of independence.

Approving voices have saluted the decision as one that redirects attention from a colonial-era show of arms to one of prayer and reflection, while also encouraging private use of noiseless fireworks – long a concern of activists concerned about the effect of sustained night explosions on animals and the elderly.

Given that this country’s freedom to guide its destiny was won through strategic political intervention and not force of arms, the military parade is hardly a reflection of the actual forces that won Trinidad and Tobago its independence and then its status as a republic.

Those triumphs came through an emphasis on education, discipline, and self-respect, which also paid tangible dividends in our continued embrace of the democratic process and respect for the rule of law.

This year’s change has encouraged stakeholders to refresh their thinking about celebrating our independence.

The opposition PNM, after initially protesting the decision, convened a pre-Independence Day commemoration in front of City Hall in Port of Spain (PoS) on the evening of August 30, promising a programme rich in education, culture and street food.

The THA plans an all-day family celebration today at the Scarborough Esplanade, which will include a 5k road race, a 10k cycling competition and other activities at the Scarborough Waterfront, a gospel concert at the Scarborough Amphitheatre and a movie screening at the Botanic Gardens.

The PoS City Corporation will host children at an event at Nelson Mandela Park during the day and Pan Trinbago will close its Pan Month with Pan on the Avenue in the evening on Ariapita Avenue.

The Inter-Religious Organisation initially faced some pushback for its planned two hours of prayer today at the Divali Nagar site, but the National Council of Indian Culture put the weight of its approval behind the gathering.

Other events will be hosted on Harris Promenade and at South Park Mall in San Fernando, the Heritage compound at Pointe-a-Pierre, at the Eddie Hart Grounds, Tacarigua and the Arima Velodrome.

The forced rethinking of independence celebrations has prompted thoughtful and overdue responses from communities and cultural stakeholders on how they might more meaningfully commemorate our independence.

TT collectively did not have to reach very far or very deep on short notice to find alternative ways to celebrate Independence Day.

The discussions around the relevance of the military parade, the timely move to enforce noiseless fireworks and the groundswell of support for wider, deeper contemplation of what it means to be independent should continue to prompt fresh thinking about the importance of Independence Day and how evolving observances might encourage national pride.

South celebrates Independence with book drive, calypso and J’Ouvert

THE cancellation of the Independence parade and fireworks in Port of Spain has inspired the Princes Town Regional Corporation (PTRC) to find an innovative way to commemorate the nation’s 63rd Independence anniversary.

Instead of a celebration, the PTRC will host a back-to-school drive for primary school students.

Chairman Gowrie Roopnarine told Newsday that he and his councillors were deeply moved by the number of vulnerable families within the corporation’s boundaries and wanted to do something meaningful.

What better way, he said, than to show their patriotism by assisting the needy with books, bags, stationery, and other back-to-school items that could improve their future.

Roopnarine said the office of the chairman, councillors, and several private organisations have partnered to provide the items, which will be distributed during the statutory meeting on the last Wednesday in August. Vulnerable families have already been identified by councillors in their respective districts to receive the packages.

Traditionally, the corporation decorates the Princes Town promenade for Independence. This year, however, only the corporation building will be dressed with red, white, and black buntings due to budget constraints. A booth will also be set up in front of the building with information on the country’s Independence journey. It will be open for three days, staffed by people available to answer questions about this milestone in the nation’s history.

At the San Fernando City Corporation (SFCC), Mayor Robert Parris said he was awaiting confirmation from the Prison’s Band to perform at a concert he hopes to host on Independence Day.

Parris said he has also invited steelbands and other cultural performers to participate in the annual event, which usually concludes with fireworks on San Fernando Hill.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, in addition to cancelling the military parade, also ordered that there be no fireworks this year – a decision welcomed by Parris. He explained that the fireworks display, usually provided by Fire One Fireworks, came with a hefty cost to the corporation.

“I am happy to be saved that expense this year,” he said.

While that concert will be the only official event hosted by the SFCC, San Fernando will also stage Caesar’s Army In De Paint Dance, described as “not just an event, but the greatest celebration of our nation.”

The premium all-inclusive Independence J’Ouvert fete runs from 2 am on August 31 until 8 am on September 1, with patrons encouraged to wear the national colours – red, white, and black.

Calypso, the heartbeat of the nation, will also take centre stage in south Trinidad on August 30. CRS Productions will honour two icons: living legend Brother Valentino (Emrold Phillip) and the late Cecil “Maestro” Humes, who died in a road accident while stopping to assist a motorist on Independence Day several years ago.

Calypsonian Kinte (Carey Stephens), a protégé of Maestro, said Valentino will make a guest appearance at the concert at the Pleasantville Community Centre. Performers will include King Luta, Cardinal, MBA, Lady Lystra, and Roxy Singh, among others.

In Point Fortin, Alderman Kevon Primus-King said the Techier Village Council, which usually hosts an annual Independence celebration, is struggling with funding this year.

Primus-King said Techier traditionally organises a week of activities – including an interfaith service, sports tournaments, all-fours, a marathon, and a sports day on Independence Day – which typically ends with fireworks.

“Ater the Prime Minister made the declaration we have been challenged by funding. Usually Atlantic is a major sponsor, but we are not certain what is going to happen this year,” he said.

Meanwhile, Pan Trinbago South/Central Region chairman Philip Barker confirmed there will be no pan events in south leading up to Independence.

He explained that their main focus is on Port of Spain’s Pan and Powder and Pan on De Avenue events.

“We don’t usually have anything in south/central, the main reason being funding, because all the money goes into events in Port of Spain,” he said.

Traffic restrictions in PoS for Pan and Powder parade

THERE will be the closure of or restricted parking along some streets in the capital city to accommodate the annual Pan Trinbago Pan and Powder parade. The event will take place on August 20 from 5 pm starting at City Hall, Knox Street.

Woodford Square, Frederick, Duke, Hart, Knox, Abercromby, Pembroke, Keate and Queen Park’s Savannah are among the affected areas.

A letter to affected businesses said Knox Street between Abercromby and Frederick Streets would be closed to all traffic.

The no parking zones will be along Hart Street between Abercromby and Frederick Streets.

Frederick Street between Duke and Hart Streets, Knox Street between Abercromby and Pembroke Streets.

Abercromby Street between Hart and Knox Streets as well as Pembroke Street between Knox and Keate Streets are among the zones.

There will also be no parking zones on Keate Street between Pembroke and Frederick Streets as well as Frederick Street between Keate to the Queen’s Park Savannah.

The afternoon’s event will see ten bands moving the crowds from the starting point at the corner of Pembroke and Knox Streets, then north on Pembroke Street to Keate Street, right on Keate Street, left on Frederick Street to the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said in a phone interview on August 19 that she anticipates yet another large crowd for the event.

A tribute to pan pioneers: Woman on the bass

IN 2023, the UN officially declared August 11 as World Steelpan Day.

It acknowledged that the steelpan promotes inclusive societies, sustainable communities and the creative economy and can have a positive impact on mental health and well-being, gender equality and youth empowerment.

WMN pays tribute to the women pioneers of steelpan as Trinidad and Tobago mark the third World Steelpan Day.

In the early days of the steelpan, between the 1940s and the 1960s, the steelpan culture was dominated by men, particularly young black men at the bottom of TT’s social ladder. As a result, respectable families did not allow their daughters near a panyard, let alone to play pan.

Still, women found ways to represent. Though not visible as performers, they were the lifeblood of steelband culture as flag-wavers, supporters, pushers, cooks at panyards and sometimes peacemakers.

The steelpan’s early days were marked by courageous women who chose to belong in the musical realm controlled by men people at the time would call rogues.

But most notable were women like Daisy James-McClean who was one of the earliest known female pannists. She started playing on her brother’s three-note ping pong pan in 1944, at age six.

She played with the Casablanca band, unbeknownst to her mother, then City Syncopators and the Starlighters steelband. At a time when the mere presence a woman was scandalous in a panyard, James-McClean performed publicly and even played alongside calypsonian Brother Mudada during his Dimanche Gras appearance in 1976, the first woman to ever do so.

In 1999 she founded the Harlem Syncopators to nurture young players and was honoured with the Public Service Medal of Merit (Silver) in 2005.

Daisy James-McClean who was one of the earliest known female pannists. – Photo courtesy When Steel Talks

In 1967, Pat Bishop became the first woman to sing publicly with a steelband, Esso Tripoli Steel Orchestra, as part of a bet that the orchestra could play softly enough to accompany an unamplified female voice. She went on to become one of the first women to arrange steelband music and was awarded the Trinity Cross (now The Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago).

In 1972, Merle Albino-de Coteau made history by being the first woman to arrange a steelband for Panorama, arranging Mas in May by The Mighty Sparrow for Chase Manhattan Savoy.

She also founded Music Makers, a music school in Laventille, judged competitions across the Caribbean and North America and earned prestigious accolades, including an honorary doctorate from UTT and the Hummingbird Medal in 1993.

Merle Albino-de Coteau, first woman to arrange for Panorama. –

In 2011 Michelle Huggins-Watt became the first female arranger to win a National Panorama competition, winning the Medium Band title with Valley Harps and Do Something For Pan composed by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe and Gregory Valentine. And in 2018, Vanessa Headley became the first female arranger to win in the Small Conventional category with her original composition, Trouble Sans Humanite, played by Golden Hands.

As the steelpan movement matured, so did female representation and institutional support.

In the early 50s, music teacher Hazel Henley founded Girl Pat Steel Orchestra, the first all-female steel orchestra, at her home in Newtown.

With the support of her parents, she gathered schoolgirls to challenge society’s scorn of the steelpan. They had to learn how to play clandestinely because, if found out, they could have been expelled from their schools.

Ellie Mannette, captain and tuner of Invaders Steelband assisted and with the musical assistance of Jocelyn Pierre, the group performed at charity shows, dances, on radio and at bingoes. And when it became more established, the band toured Guyana and Jamaica with the Little Carib Theatre, breaking both class and gender barriers by their presence and formal training.

Women also pioneered steelpan in education. Dr Dawn Batson, initiated the Pan in the Classroom program, helped launch formal associate degree music performance (with steelpan) at Costaatt, and chaired TT’s National Steel Orchestra board.

Later on, organisations like Pan Trinbago introduced school and youth festivals, widening the pipeline for girls to engage with the steelpan.

In Tobago, history was made again when Beverley Ramsey-Moore, manager of the Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, became the first female president of Pan Trinbago in 2018. She not only lead but raised accountability, streamlined finances, secured sponsors and earned the Gold Tobago Medal of Honour in 2023.

Today, women stand with men in bands across the country as musicians, arrangers and leaders, thanks to these early female trailblazers.

Information from When Steel Talks, Pan Trinbago and the National Archives of TT.

THA launches Panorama this weekend: Beverley Ramsey-Moore pushes pan tourism

PAN TRINBAGO president Beverley Ramsey-Moore is promising yet another big surprise at this year’s World Steelpan Day celebrations. However, a big talking point at this year’s event will be pan tourism.

The body plans to develop its global operations even more, she said in a recent phone interview.

With Woodford Square already set up for events on August 11, Ramsey-Moore said the body, like in years gone by, will be sharing with its audiences a next big step for the national instrument.

The day’s celebratory events will include eight single pan bands lining the streets from Piccadilly Street to Woodford Square from 5 pm and then formal celebrations will begin at 6 pm at the square. Panorama champions Exodus are among the six conventional bands playing there.

She anticipates this year will see another massive celebration.

Minister of Culture and Community Development Michelle Benjamin and Port of Spain mayor Chinua Alleyne are expected to deliver speeches at the formal part of the celebrations.

Pan organisations around the world will also tune in on that day, she added.

“One of the things we were able to do, successfully, was to ensure our partners around the world will be having celebrations on World Steelpan Day and there are those who will be having celebrations for the entire week.

Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore is promising yet another big surprise at this year’s World Steelpan Day celebrations. – Photo by Faith Ayoung

“Pan is not only alive here in Trinidad and Tobago but there has also been a resurgence in pan around the world. It is because of the work we are doing here, it is transcending borders.”

Ramsey-Moore said the body was working assiduously to build on pan’s global ascendancy.

The body has been sharing its adjudication system with international bodies and while also sharing personnel skilled in this with them.

“Our tuners, arrangers and players are already out there, promoting and working alongside all of the steelbands. We look forward to the continued development of the entire ecosystem.

“As we promote pan tourism. This is the big thing that will come out of our World Steelpan Day events.”

Pan tourism was a concept being championed locally and internationally as it was about revenue generation, she added.

“The country needs a boost in foreign exchange and, based on the work we are doing, I think, we, too, can make a significant contribution to the GDP.”

Although pan was symbolically and legislatively adopted as part of the redesigned Coat of Arms, Pan Trinbago still remains uncertain as to what would happen since new money that was supposed to have been printed with the new design was halted.

It was reported in June that Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo instructed Central Bank to halt printing new $100 polymer bills featuring the redesigned Coat of Arms.

Ramsey-Moore said when she heard the announcement she felt like Alice in Wonderland.

“I am giving the government time to settle in. A number of people would have reached out to me to find out, ‘What is happening?.’”

She added that she was waiting with bated breath to see what would happen.

“This was just not a motion that was supported by just one side of the house. The entire house supported the motion to have the national musical instrument of TT on the Coat of Arms.

“There was not one descenting voice.”

Despite this she reminded TT that pan was about unity.

She said the recently concluded Toronto Panorama on August 1 showed the instrument’s people to bring all kinds of people together.

“Pan is Trinidad and Tobago. There is nothing about race, there is nothing about religion. It is the sound of a rhythm, the beat of a nation, the soul of the nation.

“Whether it is the African or tassa drum, it came from a beat,” she said.

She said the body will continue to advocate that pan is love, it is unity and it is not for one race but it is the sum of all that is good about TT.

World Steelpan Day’s events are expected to end at 11 pm.

This weekend pan month activities continue with prayer and pan jams.

On August 9, there will be several pan jams throughout the country as pan month continues.

There will be one in each region.

Tobago’s pan jam will also be the launch of the Tobago House of Assembly’s Panorama called Pan Omega.

It is the last Panorama to be launched around the world, Ramsey-Moore said.

It is expected to be held on October 18.

On August 10, the organisation will host its thanksgiving service called Pan on a High Note of Praise at its 55 Dundonald Street, Port of Spain headquarters.

Pan Trinbago launches Pan Month, relaunches Sydney Gollop Fund

PAN Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore says World Steelpan Day was not just symbolic but a day of recognition and remembrance of the “pancestors.”

She said the steelpan was the story of Trinidad and Tobago’s people. Having it enshrined as the country’s national musical instrument under Act No 13 of 2024 carried the weight of years of advocacy, cultural resilience and community unity.

“This is not just a symbolic designation. It is a powerful recognition of a people’s invention, a community’s spirit and a nation’s sound. For decades our pan pioneers, musicians, builders, tuners, arrangers, educators and supporters have poured heart, skill and soul into shaping a global musical force that began right here on our soil.

“From the oil drum to the orchestra, from behind the bridge to the world stage, the story of pan is one of transformation, resistance and genius. Born out of struggle, shaped in the crucible of culture and defiance, the steelpan is a living symbol of who we are – inventive, expressive, proud and unbreakable.”

Ramsey-Moore was speaking at the first anniversary celebration of the Formal Designation of the Steelpan as the National Musical Instrument of TT and the official launch of Steelpan Month 2025 at Radisson Hotel, Wrightson Road, Port of Spain on July 19.

In addition to the month of activities, Ramsey-Moore also relaunched the Sydney Gollop Fund. In 1950, Gollop became the first president of the National Association of TT Steelbandsmen.

“Under his guidance, 76 steelbands came together in unity, forming a movement that could no longer be ignored. Sydney Gollop was not only a unifier and visionary, he was a protector. He stood beside panmen in the courts, advocated for their rights and insisted that they be seen not as outcasts, but as artisans. Patriots.

“In 1951, he helped raise funds for the first overseas tour of TASPO, the moment when the steelpan crossed borders and echoed its message to the world. That tour was not just a performance, it was a declaration. And it bore the fingerprints of a leader whose strength was quiet but unshakable.”

She said the fund would support young pannists through scholarships and mentorship, protect members of the pan fraternity through legal and welfare assistance, fund cultural research and uplift grassroots bands.

She described the “pancestors” as visionaries, rebels, innovators and cultural warriors. She said when steelbands were vilified and criminalised, they held on to their instruments and their hope and eventually forged a movement.

Pan Trinbago relaunched the Sydney Gollop Fund during the launch of Pan Month, on July 19. – Photo by Ayanna Kinsale

“Their legacy gave birth to a national identity, one that now rings with official clarity and constitutional pride.”

She thanked all who contributed to the success of Pan Trinbago and the movement including the government, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, its cultural collaborators and heritage institutions, the pan fraternity, corporate and community partners, and the international diaspora and steelpan ambassadors.

In his address, on behalf of Culture Minister Michelle Benjamin, National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Peter Kanhai agreed with Ramsey-Moore saying Steelpan Month was more than commemoration.

He said recognition was long overdue and deserved, and it was a national affirmation of the steelpan, which came from the heart of the people. He said it should move people to continue to invest in the instrument, champion youths and embed steelpan in the fabric of society, including in classrooms, the community and the fabric of society.

“We are also proud to join the global family of steelpan lovers in acknowledging World Steelpan Day on August 11, an important marker that further elevates TT as the cradle of this beloved instrument and the artform that is the steelpan.”

Kanhai said it was an important cultural milestone, an identity and a true celebration of who we were as a people, and a time to reflect on the generations of arrangers, players, tuners and builders who kept the pan alive.

“As we formally celebrate steelpan as a national instrument, a title that carries the soul of our people, the creativity of our ancestors and the fire of our nation, let us do so with intent – intent to promote this artform as an avenue for economic and social development for the country, intent to be recognised as the be-all and end-all of all things steelpan.”

Pan Trinbago celebrates World Music Day

ON World Music Day, Pan Trinbago is celebrating all musicians “especially our steelband musicians, arrangers, pannists, tuners, and those working tirelessly behind the scenes in the steelpan ecosystem.”

In a news release on June 21, which is celebrated as World Music Day or Fête de la Musique, president of Pan Trinbago Beverley Ramsey-Moore made a call to elevate steelpan music globally.

The release said, “As the world joins in the celebration of music in all its forms, Pan Trinbago proudly salutes the vibrant and resilient community of steelband musicians who continue to shape and define the cultural heartbeat of Trinidad and Tobago.

”This year’s celebration holds even greater significance following the official declaration of the Steelpan as the national musical instrument of TT through the passing of the National Musical Instrument Act, 2024. This historic milestone affirms what generations have long known – that the steelpan is not only a source of national pride, but a powerful symbol of identity, innovation, and unity.“

Ramsey-Moore, emphasised the importance of creating sustainable opportunities for steelpan and steelband music to thrive.

“Happy World Music Day! Today, we take pride in celebrating all musicians – especially our steelband musicians, arrangers, pannists, tuners, and those working tirelessly behind the scenes in the Steelpan ecosystem. Our goal is to advocate for the inclusion of Steelpan and Steelband music in all public spaces, schools, local festivals, and regional and international stages. Steelpan is not only our national musical instrument – it is our identity, our pride, and our global voice,” she said.

“Steelbands have long represented TT with excellence on the world stage – performing at global festivals, cultural exchanges, and diplomatic events. In doing so, they not only promote the unique sound of the Steelpan but also serve as cultural ambassadors, showcasing the rich heritage of the nation. Their contributions inevitably support and enhance cultural tourism, drawing global attention to the creativity and spirit of the people of TT.”

“On this occasion, Pan Trinbago also pauses to give flowers and accolades to the pioneers of the Steelband movement – the visionaries, innovators, and brave cultural architects who laid the foundation for what is now a globally respected artform. Their sacrifices, creativity, and unwavering belief in the power of the pan continue to inspire generations and have paved the way for the Steelpan’s recognition as our national instrument and cultural treasure.“

Pan Trinbago said it remains committed to the development, promotion, and preservation of the steelpan artform.

“As the world recognises the unifying power of music, the organisation takes this opportunity to reiterate its mission to ensure that Steelpan is recognized, respected, and represented wherever music is celebrated.”

“Today, we honour every contributor in the steelpan community – past, present, and future – who continue to elevate the sound of TT across the globe,” it said.

Pan Trinbago, TUCO congratulate Kamla

THE presidents of Pan Trinbago and the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) congratulated Prime Minister designate Kamla Persad-Bissessar on the United National Congress’ (UNC) victory on April 28.

In separate phone interviews on April 29, both expressed that they looked forward to working with the chosen culture minister.

TUCO president Ainsley King said, “The process that took place is one that the country must go through every so often.”

He added that the period came where the government must be selected and it must go through a democratic process.

“That was completed yesterday and the country has spoken. We have to respect the decision because the voice of the people is the voice of God.”

King said every one must work together for the betterment of the country.

“Congratulations to the winning parties, the United National Congress (UNC) and also the Tobago People’s Party (TPP).

“I am hoping we would understand that maturity is needed and proper governance for the upliftment of the people of this country.”

King said he looked forward to good governance.

“The voice of the people is the voice of God,” Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore also said.

She added that the organisation congratulated the prime minister elect and the new government.

“Pan Trinbago, as a non-governmental organisation, looks forward to working closely with the government. We are prepared to continue to develop the national musical instrument of TT and so we look forward to building that relationship with our new line minister,” she said.

Ramsey-Moore said pan is all about TT and the organisation was there to fully support.

Asked about any kind of backlash because of earlier news reports which said she supported the People’s National Movement (PNM), Ramsey-Moore said the Newsday had its own headline with respect to her pledging support to the PNM.

“I know there was a prize-giving function and I did commend Randall Mitchell as our line minister for the work that he would have done with the steelpan movement.

“I did commend minister Stuart Young for the work he would have done with us in the steelband movement. And it is the same way I look forward to working with the new line minister and new government, with the same passion.”

Ramsey-Moore said she looked forward to working with the minister as it was all in the interest of the development of the pan as an instrument and the community.

She added she was no stranger to the UNC but as the organisation was non-political and Pan Trinbago would work closely with whoever formed the government.