Police take large band prize, North Ruimveldt Multilateral takes school prize

Feb 19, 2013 News

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Metallic symphonies rang out at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall Sunday evening as Republic Bank hosted another successful year of its National Mashramani Pan-O-Rama Steel Band Competition.
In the most anticipated events, the Guyana Police Force reigned supreme in the large band category; North Ruimveldt Multilateral School took away the title from reigning champs, Queens College, in the school band category and St. Andrews Kirk Steel Orchestra snatched the championship from its only rival, Central Assembly of God Steel Orchestra.
The night’s event commenced with warm welcomes from bank officials and Minister of Culture Youth and Sports, Dr, Frank Anthony, who encouraged Republic Bank to continue its venture. He charged that through the competition, the relationship with the bank and the Ministry continues to grow.
He said that every year proceeds of the event go towards the purchase of steel pans for a school. And this year, he was delighted to say, proceeds would go to the Tagora Secondary School in Berbice.
In the first performances, winner of the junior solo competition, Detroy Dey delivered a wonderful performance that earned him a ground shaking standing ovation. He was fearless in his deliverance of his piece, Allegro, a piece that was recited by all performers in that category. Michael Smith Junior was second with 226 points, Akeem Mohamed had 211 and Don Johnson was fourth with 199.
The duet segment had the packed arena on the edge of their seats. The crowd screamed for more as they watched the team work and coordinated efforts of the duos. Clayton Daniels and Ray Sparman took first prize for their performance of “O Beautiful Guyana,” which earned them 248 points. When Javier Marks and Jamal Johnson came on they too did their thing when they recited “Pan and me.” For that piece they earned 229 points and walked away second place winners, while Akeem Mohamed and Don Johnson took third spot with their rendition of the gospel hymn, “Jesu Joy of man’s desire.”
Again the Central Assembly of God Steel Orchestra gave a grand performance nothing short but adding much to their performance as they did last year. The band was a youth dominated group and did they have energy, in delivering a power packed performance of “To God be the Glory.”
The little ones stole the show when they bubbled going low when the tune went low and “shadowing” when the sounds went high.
The piece was also performed by the St. Andrews Kirk Steel Orchestra and they too had the crowd going. It was obviously enough to earn them the first spot.
The programme was then slowed when the senior soloist sought to declare what precision, originality and maturity on the pans really mean. Their independent pieces would register their skills, abilities and experiences in the art form. Ray Sparman stole the first place spot when he played classically Pan Wave, a fusion of varying symphonies.
The crowd paid keen attention to his beat; his rhythm had a continuous flow that throughout his performance, heads continued to bob and feet continued to tap.
Michael Smith Junior, took second place for his piece, “China Town.” He too had a rhythm that was undeniable for its continued flow. Clayton Daniels was in third place with “Pan for Life” and Omari Austin came after with “Glander.”
The intermission after this night’s first half of the event was well deserved, because the crowd had to get pumped for the meat of night, the big bands and school competition. Last year’s school champions, Queens College had to settle for third when they were smashed by an energy filled, melody booming flow from the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School.
And with instructor, Sir Mars, there was never a dull moment since he had the crowd on its feet with his antics. The schools had to perform their take of “To serve my country” and they each “brought it” with their performances.
Bishop’s High School came in second place.
The Guyana Police Force was definitely craving the title of large band champions. It was as if they smelt it in the air. They saw that the crown was within their reach and as soon as they touched centre stage they started to grab.
In their piece “Discipline is love” the nation’s security force delivered a smooth, continuous flow that could easily be described as the performance of the night. Their melody was level and their accuracy was right on cue, truly a listening pleasure.
Parkside was also on cue with their performance, and that earned them second spot. They played “Mr. Rooster” by Dave Martins and the Tradewinds. Ras Kamo Williams put together a magnificent piece for the Ministry of Youth and Sport Steel Orchestra called “Pan down de Road.”
They were very fluent in their presentation and like many of the other bands; their melodies had a continuous flow and hype which also earned them standing ovations.

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