Music students absorb Panorama arranging techniques

A select group of 12 young musicians have completed an intensive two-week workshop aimed at grooming them to become future Panorama arrangers. Organised by the Pan in Schools Coordinating Council (PSCC) and fully sponsored by energy company BP Trinidad and Tobago (bpTT), the annual workshop involved music teachers and students with ambitions to arrange tunes for the acclaimed Panorama steelband competition. Participants were drawn from secondary school music teachers and students equipped with Grade 2 Theory of Music qualification and, of course, pan-playing skills. The Panorama arranging session took place from July 9 to 27. It was one of four hands-on music workshops conducted simultaneously by the PSCC, in collaboration with bpTT during July in T&T. At the daily sessions at the St Augustine Secondary School, the young musicians displayed keen interest as facilitator Michelle Huggins-Watts, herself a Panorama championship winning arranger, emphasised the fundamentals of the course. 

 

“We have a small but very vibrant and willing class of students. Some have done arrangements before while others are new to it. We are seeing some great talent and this augurs well for the future cadre of pan arrangers,” said Huggins-Watts, a qualified music teacher. Akeel Henry, a Junior Panorama arranger, who handled duties as assistant facilitator, said he was proud to be part of a project which should guarantee the future of Panorama arranging. This is the eighth year that bpTT has partnered with the PSCC in nurturing the musical talents of the young people of T&T. The company has established a rich tradition of involvement in the steelband movement, dating back to the 70s with multiple Panorama champions, BP Renegades. Ronda Francis, bpTT’s Corporate Responsibility Manager, said the company has invested heavily in developing the potential of the young people of T&T, noting that the continuing partnership with the PSCC represents a valuable contribution to the musical development of the participants. At the end of the workshop, participants were required to arrange a calypso using the musical information, knowledge and skills, learnt during the sessions.