Edwin Pouchet's Showtime is RBC/RBTT Redemption Sound Setters' tune of choice for Panorama 2011. With an arrangement by Winston Gordon and a contingent of 120 players, the band from Bethel is confident that it can realise its quest to become the first band from Tobago to secure the national Panorama title. "Our chances are as good as any other band," said band captain Marie Toby. "We've put in the hours, we're putting on the finishing touches to give us the edge. Everyone is excited...we're looking forward to the ride."
The 23-year-old band has an impressive history both at home and abroad, including a Panorama Small Band title in 1997 with De Fosto's Pan in the Town and performances at the 45th T&T Independence Celebrations at the OAS building in Washington DC. The band was the 2009 Tobago House of Assembly Pan Champs, a title held consecutively from 1998 to 2006. They were unbeatable in the Tobago Panorama preliminaries from 2001 to 2005, and have been finalists in the national Panorama competition consistently since 2000. The band placed fourth in the 2002 finals and ninth last year, when they played De Fosto's Pan on Fire.
RBC/RBTT THE PROUD SPONSOR
Colin Cowie, branch manager, RBTT Bank, Scarborough, said the bank was proud to be associated with the band which has distinguished itself through numerous awards, achievements and accolades as the steelband pride of Tobago. "As sponsor of the band for the tenth year, RBC/RBTT remains committed to investing in the Sound Setters, which supports the development of the steelpan as an art form, while enabling the players to reach their full potential, and assisting in the development of our steelband community," Cowie said. The success of the Sound Setters acts as a beacon to the youth population of Bethel and surrounding areas.
Today the membership of the band consists largely of young people and the Sound Setters offer steelpan classes to youths, passing on the discipline and passion for the art form to a new generation of pan players. In 2006, the junior arm of the band, captained by Ronelly Phillips, won the THA Junior Panorama competition, a feat they repeated the following year. The band's youth focus was further augmented with the introduction of a pan camp during the July/August vacation period.
Internationally, RBC/RBTT Redemption Sound Setters has served as cultural ambassadors of Trinidad and Tobago, performing in Germany, Wales, Washington, Baltimore and Delaware. "We're not just a Panorama band...we function all year round," said Toby, who made history of her own in 1994 when she became the first woman to be elected captain of a T&T steelband.
RBTT has been a partner of Redemption Sound Setters since its sponsorship of the Band began in 2002, in line with the Bank's commitment to developing the arts, culture and youth. RBC/RBTT Redemption Sound Setters carry the hope and dream of every Tobagonian in its quest for steelband glory on Panorama night. Will this be the year the Panorama title comes to Bethel?