Senior Reporter
kevon.felmine@guardian.co.tt
Colour, flair and passion were thrown into the musical pot yesterday, as hundreds of young steelpan players transformed Skinner Park, San Fernando, into a steelpan theatre, with St Margaret’s Boys’ Anglican Primary School capturing yet another National Schools Panorama title.
The occasion itself was historic. For the first time, the primary and secondary school finals were staged in San Fernando.
For St Margaret’s, however, victory felt familiar. The Port-of-Spain-based school successfully defended its primary school Panorama crown for a hattrick of titles, having also lifted the title in 2024 and 2025.
Febeau Government Primary School placed second, while San Fernando Boys’ RC Primary School rounded out the top three.
St Margaret’s Boys delivered a masterful performance of Marlon Auguste’s arrangement of Voice’s 2017 hit Year For Love.
From the opening bars, the band radiated warmth and confidence. Their pan stands and floats were dressed with red and pink hearts, balloons and a striking depiction of Cupid, while Carnival characters came alive on stage, including fancy sailors holding signs bearing messages of peace, joy, family, unity, respect, faith and kindness.
Clad in dazzling white shirts with gold and red waistcoats and red trousers, the boys signalled that the future of pan is in capable hands.
The introduction landed with authority, before flowing seamlessly into the verse as pansticks danced confidently across the notes.
Even a seven-minute delay caused by a power outage failed to unsettle them. The background and frontline pans locked into near-perfect harmony, switching smoothly into a rhythmic minor passage and building towards crisp crescendos that drew applause from the crowd. The judges agreed, awarding St Margaret’s 279 points, 13 clear of Febeau.
Despite the gap on the scoresheet, the contest felt far closer. Febeau’s Pan Giants delivered a polished and theatrical performance of Voice’s 2025 hit Too Own Way, arranged by Khai Alcantara.
Their presentation opened with a skit featuring school teacher Mr Henry being summoned to the principal’s office, leaving three students in charge. Before leaving, he warned them not to play pan. One student, however, had other plans. The music burst forward, translating Voice’s melody smoothly onto steel, as young pannists sang loudly along to the chorus, injecting energy and confidence into the performance.
Separated by a single point, San Fernando Boys’ RC Primary School produced a rousing rendition of Explainer’s Lorraine, arranged by Lydia Seecharan.
Flagbearers dressed as air hostesses added visual flair, while well-tuned pans carried the melody with clarity.
The tropically dressed pan players showed they were well-rehearsed, supported by background pans that carried their weight and a short but stirring tassa drum solo that lifted the arrangement.
Completing the top five were St Paul’s Boys’ Anglican Primary School and Guaico Presbyterian Primary School.
While disappointment lingered among some students, staff and parents, the overall outcome marked a victory for music.
Each band delivered a polished performance under bright southern skies, in a competition that also reflected unity at the administrative level.
Minister of Education Dr Michael Dowlath and San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris were both present, underscoring the collaborative effort behind moving the finals to San Fernando.
Addressing the audience at the opening, Dowlath said hosting the finals in the city sent a powerful message that talent was not confined to any one region.
He said it placed San Fernando firmly at the centre of national culture and highlighted the role of music in education.
“What does music do for us? It teaches us. It heals. It gives us a voice. It gives us identity, and so today at this National Schools Panorama 2026, we will have that truth brought to life through the sound of the steelpan. The steelpan is part of the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. It brings us alive; it is the only instrument invented in the 20th century, right here in Trinidad & Tobago. And so, as our young people play with confidence, it is a powerful reminder today that we must continue to invest in culture and our community,” Dowlath said.
Dowlath said the ministry understood that it was not an extra-curricular luxury but a powerful educational tool that strengthens cognitive ability and builds discipline and teamwork.
He said participation alone was a victory.
“Whether in the pan yard or in the classroom, students learn patience, collaboration, leadership and resilience.”
Parris, welcoming the move to Skinner Park, said the city stood ready to support any ministry initiative that places children and culture at the forefront in San Fernando.
