The judging was unfair

Feb 23, 2018 Letters

Dear Editor,

What were the judges looking for in deciding the winner for the Senior Pan-o-rama Competition 2018? The observation of favoritism and disregard for the judging rules of the competition were on full display at the annual Pan-o-rama Competition. The judges, apart from being officials of the department of culture, were biased in their rulings and approach to judging.
The rules and guidelines of the competition clearly states in section (5) that during the process of judging the event, all officials are expected to conduct themselves in a proper manner. Judges shall not communicate with any of the competitors, and or their sponsors, supporters, or members of the media for the entire duration of the competition.
This was not the case on the night of the competition. The coordinator was supposed to be Mr. Xavier, but Mr. Tyndall who works for the same office being the coordinator of the Mash Committee and past leader of the band that won, was seen mingling with the judges, bringing the results into disrepute. This brings a clear case of conflict of interest because the National School of Music Band is owned by the department of Culture.
Now if I owned this band and all the judging officials came from me, what would people think and assume? It can also be noted that the outcome in judging for the past few years has been the same. This is disgusting, because the outcome seems to always be in favor of the National Band.
No way in my Music Knowledge or listening to steel pan music and soliciting the views of others, the National Band could have emerged winners in front of the Guyana Police Force Band who was the definite crowd pleasers, playing well with a clean sound, good balance and with proper melody and audio coming from all sections of the band.
At no time did they break the rules of the competition unlike the National Band who gyrated in front of the judges which was a clear violation of the rules and standing order of the competition and yet emerged victorious.
Where are we going with competitive competitions and judging in Guyana, if injustices like these keep occurring? There were other bands that were eliminated for violating competition rules, but this was not the issue with the National Band. It was a great act of favoritism.
This attitude not only deems bad for pan music lovers but also the players who try desperately to keep the art alive. If this is allowed to continue, sad to say steel band competition is heading for a doomsday. Please Mr. Tyndall and others, fair and neutral judges are what we need, to keep the art alive and well.
Neil Cort
Steel Pan Lover.

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