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Rain didn’t dampen the excitement that culminated Republic Bank’s Panorama 2025
By Francwa Fortune
Kaieteur News- The rain was not enough to stop steel pan enthusiasts who flocked the Kingston Beach to witness the culmination of Republic Bank’s 2025 steel pan competition on Wednesday.
The West Dem Steel Orchestra is the winners of the Panorama steel pan competition for the youth category
For the finale, a total of 12 steel orchestra bands went head-to-head to winning the Panorama titles. Seven bands competed in the young band contest and five in the large band but only two from each category was able to gain the winning spot.
Despite the rains, attendees stood at the venue with their umbrellas to show support for their favourite bands.
The young band which had a total of seven entries did not fail to deliver an unforgettable performance however only three orchestra groups managed to wow judges.
In the youth category, the West Demerara Secondary School secured the first-place title with a total of 256 point followed by the Berbice High School capturing second place with a total of 248.5 points and gaining the third spot was the Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra with 245.5 points.
Rain didn’t dampen the excitement that culminated Republic Bank’s Panorama 2025
The large bands entered the competition with two intentions one being to win and the other being to deliver an exceptional performance which surpassed the expectation of their supports and the judges.
Capturing the winning title for the large band was the Kunjaz Steel Orchestra with a total of 281 points, gaining second place was the Ansa McAl Parkside Steel Orchestra with 274.5 points and coming third was the 2024 steel orchestra winners, the Guyana Police Force Steel Band with 268 points. Of note was the Panamanics Steel Orchestra group competed in the competition for the first time despite their failure to place in the competition, they delivered a really good performance.
The coach, Rayel Franklin told The Waterfalls that this year’s competition was the best he had ever seen in years. He added that his band started preparing in mid-January for the competition because they were having difficulties finding members to join so they can be eligible to compete in the large band category.
Franklin said he decided to take the band idea to the school where he teaches and there, he successfully acquired enough members to enter the competition. He reassured this publication that they will be entering the competition again next year, “coming bigger and better.”
Panorama saw several special other performances from Guyana’s very own Samuel Medas, Carlvin Burnett, OKC, the artiste and the Guyanese Soca Princess Omaiah Hall.
Hall shared that as a past orchestra player, she was impressed by the amount of work and dedication the groups put into their craft. She told the magazine that this year was bigger than she expected.
“Being on that stage and seeing my Guyanese people sing and react to my song means a lot for me”. She added that her long-term goal in panorama is to have one of the large bands perform one of her hit singles as their competition entry.
The 2025 Soca Monarch, Diana Chapman was also present at the event but not to perform.
She was there in support of the Pangroove Steel Orchestra, who took part in the large bands category by playing her winning song ‘My Home.’ She was nevertheless proud of them even though they did not place.
Meanwhile, attendees who spoke to this newspaper shared the view that they were pleased with the judge’s decision as well as how this year’s competition had one of the largest turnouts from Guyanese citizens.
“I had a wonderful time at panorama, everything was truly amazing. I was backing Kunjaz all the way and I was super excited when they won. I love how on time everything was despite the weather,” a member of the audience said.
(Rain didn’t dampen the excitement that culminated Republic Bank’s Panorama 2025)
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