The Sonatas Steel Orchestra is the 2004 New York Panorama
Champion, having wrested the title from last year's winner,
Pantonic Steel Orchestra, which failed to even place this time
around. Performing DeFosto's, "War 2004" as arranged for the
band by Johann Popplewell, the Sonatas Steel Orchestra
literally brought the house down as it had the several
thousand patrons jumping nad screaming throughout its
presentation at the Brooklyn Museum Grounds at the weekend.
Popplewell was in tears of joy on stage following the
announcement of the band's victory. Members of the band
hoisted him up on their shoulders, proclaiming that he was
their hero, having brought victory to the band after the title
had eluded it for several years. Popplewell is a founding
member of the now defunct Panazz Players Steel Ensemble in
Trinidad. He has also spent some time playing on various
cruise lines and is considered one of the best classical
players of the day. Sonatas Steel Orchestra has been around
since 1971 and is considered to be the oldest surviving steel
orchestra in New York.
Placing second was CAYSM Steel Orchestra, which performed
"We Ting." The band did deliver a stirring presentation,
although their tune-of-choice was not as popular as other
songs performed by other bands. The Marsicans Steel Orchestra
took third place with its performance of Destra's "Bonnie and
Clyde," arranged by Pelham Goddard. This band proved to be one
of the most popular of the night and many were very surprised
that it did not make it to at least second place.
The Panorama final attracted several thousand people, some
of whom remained outside the venue to catch the bands as they
made their way into the venue. The event, it seems, has almost
outgrown the Museum Grounds since it is the most popular event
apart from the Labour Day Parade itself.
At one point tempers flared right outside the entrance for
the bands when a van nearly backed into one of the pan racks
belonging to the Marsicans. The Labour Day Carnival climaxes
today with the parade, which is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.
and ends at 6 p.m.