Starlift Steel Orchestra, based in Old Montrose, Central Kingstown, is one of this country’s oldest such institutions and its senior component has the most panorama titles here, dating from their birth in 1967.
More recently, the Orchestra’s Junior component has been establishing itself along similar lines, and last Sunday, August 11, World Pan Day, at Victoria park, the Junior Starlift Steel Orchestra took the Community Bands title, to make it two in a row.
They played a Winston Soso classic ‘Ah feel to party’ arranged by Kingsley ‘Hero’ Roberts. With 48 players, captained by Rochard Ambris, and pans tuned by Mario Joseph, Starlift left nothing to chance. Their rendition had the audience swaying to the injection Hero unfurled.
Starlift appeared in second position, following Elite Steel Orchestra who started the Community Bands segment of the evening’s programme. Symphonix completed the race of three.
Symphonix Steel Orchestra placed second with Alston ‘Becket’ Cyrus’ ‘Teaser’ arranged by Jomoro Francis. Their 32 players showed that they were up to the task, and their energetic performance could only have been denied by the eventual winner.
Elite Steel Orchestra endorsed another Becket production: ‘They dancing.’ Their arranger Keslon ‘Taffa’ Wilson shows that his band is no pushover. He is experienced in the pan arena. Elite’s 20 players captained by Kimmya Alexis, used a range of coordinated inserts to fine-tune the production.