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Sonatas wins NY Panorama


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.


Copyright 2004 All rights reserved. Trinidad Express 35 Independence Sq, Port of Spain, Trinidad.