{"id":255688,"date":"2020-09-13T16:40:27","date_gmt":"2020-09-13T20:40:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=255688"},"modified":"2021-03-14T16:48:34","modified_gmt":"2021-03-14T20:48:34","slug":"dominican-born-pannist-organizes-historic-virtual-steelpan-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/news\/dominican-born-pannist-organizes-historic-virtual-steelpan-competition\/","title":{"rendered":"Dominican-born pannist organizes historic virtual steelpan competition"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nevin Roach<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Dominican-born pannist, Nevin Roach, has used the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown of many across the world, to highlight and shed a positive light on the pan community, through his brainchild project, PanoGrama.<\/p>\n

Roach explained that on April 13, 2020, he found himself watching live entertainment on Instagram, when the idea to host a virtual steelpan competition hit. \u201cWhen I saw how entertaining Instagram live was, I thought I could do something similar for steelpan\u201d, he said. Apart from providing fresh entertainment, he also saw the idea as a way in which pannists could potentially earn through the offer of cash prizes, while simultaneously providing a platform for musicians to showcase their talent internationally<\/p>\n

With a real passion for the arts, Roach went to work immediately. After much planning and consulting, PanoGrama 2020 – solo edition was ready to take flight. The first edition saw 20 pannists showcase their talent to the delight of an international audience on Instagram.<\/p>\n

The preliminary rounds of the first virtual steelpan competition were streamed live on Instagram @inev88 from April 24 to 25, where judges David \u201cZigE\u201d Walcott of Barbados, Northern Illinois University graduate Kenneth Joseph, and Ojay Richards of Trinidad & Tobago, had the arduous task of narrowing the field to the 15 semi-finalists who performed on April 30 and then the top ten finalists who performed on May 3.<\/p>\n

As stipulated by competition rules, each musician was required to select a tune from any genre of music and perform for the live Instagram audience and judges, who paid close attention to the technicality and melodic interest of variations and solos executed, dynamics and presentation among other criteria.<\/p>\n

Scores of viewers from across the Caribbean region and international countries such as the US, UK, Japan, Germany and Spain, tuned in night after night to witness the captivating performances of each pannist. The competition also featured entertaining acts from the 2019 Vincentian Ragga Monarch, Hance John, Monk\/Riddim Tribe dancer, Nandi, 5-time Barbados Power Monarch, Mikey and ace pannist Jadon Phillip of Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, Tobago, much to the delight of the virtual audience.<\/p>\n

President of Pan Trinbago, Mrs. Beverley Ramsey-Moore, delivered special remarks on the night of the finals, which saw Earl Brooks Jr. of T&T being crowned the Inaugural PanoGrama champion. His thrilling performance of Michael Jackson\u2019s Thriller and a random tune selected by Roach, garnered him 107.67 out of a possible maximum of 110 points.<\/p>\n

Dubbed historic and a success by many, PanoGrama united the international pan community, which showed appreciation through congratulatory messages and donations. This enabled PanoGrama Entertainment to make a sizeable contribution to Pan Trinbago\u2019s Social Prosperity Fund, which was started to assist members of the steelpan community facing financial hardships.<\/p>\n

A true experience for spectators and performers alike, PanoGrama will definitely be back in 2021, bigger and better, Roach promises.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

FULL RESULTS<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Earl Brooks Jr, TT \u2013 107.67<\/li>\n
  2. Dejean Cain, TT \u2013106<\/li>\n
  3. Kersh Ramsey, TT \u2013 105.33<\/li>\n
  4. Keishuan Julien, TT \u2013 104<\/li>\n
  5. Mark Forde, Barbados \u2013 103.67<\/li>\n
  6. Kern Sumerville, TT \u2013 103<\/li>\n
  7. Hashim Durant, Barbados \u2013 102<\/li>\n
  8. Tyeesha Alexander, TT \u2013 95<\/li>\n
  9. Amarni Gomes, Antigua \u201393<\/li>\n
  10. Isidore \u201cDow\u201d York, St Maarten \u2013 92.67<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n