Past and Historic Steelbands of Trinidad and Tobago

As the expanded notes (below) show, the category designations; The Single Pan Bands (SPB's) (1998), and the conventional Small, Medium and Large steelbands (2004), have arisen only recently, relatively in time, to the beginning of Panorama in 1963.

Where we now recognise that some of these steelbands to have droped-out of the Panorama arena; these are marked with the last known category (Ctg) marker; for SPB's = T (Traditional), or for conventional steelbands = S, M or L, that appears in the available records. As we move back in time, the category (Ctg) marker may change to n/a as all steelbands carried an equal weight in their relative Panorama's.

As we move further back in time, through the Panorama era, and even before Panorama, the records get misty in the past, and the category (Ctg) marker moves to unk (unknown at this time). We are reminded that for Panorama, this is over half a century ago; and for the period before that, we enter a period that is 60 or 70 years in the past, relative to the present (2015). Here we are now more reliant on data that has been passed down, by 'word of mouth'; which causes even the type (Ty) of steelband noted to be marked with the designation unk (unknown at this time).

If we recognise the steelband as originally being conventional, the type (Ty) goes to = cn; otherwise it will be marked as starting as a 'traditional' pan 'round the neck' band = sp; and if recognised as from even an earlier period, as one of the starting percussive-only steel ensembles, will get the marker = prc.

With more research, the certainty of these applied designations should, we hope, improve; least even the names of the past steelbands themselves, be remembered and noted.

tobagojo - Jan 2015


	Listed Past & Historic TT steelbands

	1	Total Unknown region
	51	Total EASTERN region
	69	Total NORTHERN region
	126	Total SOUTH-CENTRAL region
	35	Total TOBAGO region

	282	Total ALL Regions - 2015 Rev 4.0

In the middle of 1998, the Pan Trinbago 'think tank' changed the naming of the Traditional (pan 'round the 'neck) steelband category, an awkward term, to the currently used Single Pan Steelband [SPB] designation. The new designation was first used in the Steelband Music Festival, PAN Is Beautiful IX, that started on the 16th October that year [1998].

Source:

An Interim History of the Pan in the 21st Century and Pan Down Memory Lane Events - 2005
Dr. Jeannine Remy D.M.A. and Jeremy G. de Barry P.Dip. E.E.Eng. - July 2005
www.seetobago.org/trinidad/pan/archive/r&d/p21c+pdml/p21c+pdml_history2005.htm#cnc07

The 2004 Panorama FORMAT
In 2004, Pan Trinbago changed the Panorama format for the Conventional steelbands by dividing the competition stable of some 65 steelbands, into 3 new categories; Small, Medium and Large. The change-over started afresh all categories. This meant that the last of the Conventional champions, Exodus [2003], had no rights to automatically play in the (Large Conventional) Finals; as had traditionally been the case for previous Finals winners of the recent decade. Technically, Panorama had been reset to zero. The subtlety here is that, intentionally or no; Pan Trinbago managed to side step the curiously but imminently pending cultural question of 'Who won Panorama 2004'?

In order not to disenfranchise the legitimacy of the Small and Medium steelbands to be a winner of Panorama, the technicality avoided the issue. The Large Category steelbands may have, by common perception only, inherited the rights to the legacy of lineage to some 40 Panoramas, but so too, could the Small and Medium bands; even though Exodus, by dint of choice and size, had elected to be in the Large category, thus unwittingly strengthening the perceived rights of the Large Category.

All technical argument aside however; the common cultural perception of Trinidad and Tobago is that the Large Conventional Category of steelbands, carry the grand flag of glory, in all rights, to be the masters of Panorama.

Notes:
A seelband yearly registers it's 'Category' of choice with Pan Trinbago in mid-year (usually around June).
The 'Category' registered is for the coming Carnival Season of the next year.
There are no rules governing which 'Category' a steelband may move 'from' or 'to'.
A steelband chooses its 'Category' dependant on its anticipated 'Type' for the coming season; as either a Conventional or SPB.
As a Conventional steelband; the category, Large, Medium or Small is chosen on its anticipated number of members for the coming Season.
Once registered; a steelband is tied to its 'Category' of choice for the coming season; and usually may only change 'Category' the following year.

Changing Category
In the unusual case of a steelband wishing to change 'Category' between mid-year and the start of Panorama; the following protocol would be considered by Pan Trinbago.
A steelband writes a letter to the secretary of the Pan Trinbago Executive, requesting a 'Change of Category'.
A special meeting of the Pan Trinbago Executive will be called to preside and deliberate the matter.
The Pan Trinbago Executive will then rule according to the merits of the request; provided the request is made at an interval sufficient 'before the start' of the coming Panorama season.