On June 6, 2026, Saint Lucia wrote a new chapter in its cultural music history, as Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary School claimed the title of the first-ever National Schools Panorama Competition. Held at Castries’ iconic Mindoo Phillip Park, the competition was a centerpiece event of the island’s annual Junior Lucian Carnival, bringing together the most promising young steel pan players from across the nation for a celebration of local cultural heritage.
Seven competing bands, drawn from a collective of 10 different schools across Saint Lucia, gathered to compete for the historic inaugural title. Conceived as a long-term investment in the island’s beloved steel pan tradition, the competition was created to nurture new generational interest in the art form, ensuring this core pillar of Saint Lucian culture continues to thrive for decades to come.
For the winning team from Leon Hess Comprehensive Secondary, the path to victory was not without its hurdles. Jonathan Howell, a key core member of the school’s competing band, opened up about the group’s months-long journey to the top spot.
“It felt absolutely amazing; I had utmost faith in my teammates from the very start,” Howell shared in remarks after the win. “I always knew we had what it took to pull this off.”
Howell explained that the group faced unique challenges throughout their preparation process, most notably the fact that a number of band members were participating in a large-scale steel pan competition for the first time. “It was difficult, because some players were new; it was their first time actually preparing for something like this,” he said.
Rather than letting these setbacks slow them down, the team leaned on collective commitment and mutual support to work through every obstacle. “Although it was difficult, we pulled through, and we got the win,” Howell stated. Already looking ahead to future competitions, the young musician made clear the team’s ambition has not waned: “For the road ahead, [the aim] is to get first place again.”
Sir Ira Simmons Secondary School claimed second place, delivering a standout performance that earned widespread acclaim from judges and audience members alike. Corinth Secondary School took home third place, while the fourth spot went to a collaborative combined band representing Canaries Primary School and Soufrière Secondary School.
Rounding out the field of competitors were bands from Vieux Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, Laborie Boys and Girls Primary School, and a combined group from Dennery Primary and Secondary Schools. Every participating band brought energy, creativity, and disciplined musicianship to the stage, turning the event into a vibrant showcase of the incredible depth of young musical talent spread across Saint Lucia. The inaugural competition’s success has laid a strong foundation for what organizers hope will become a beloved annual tradition, cementing the role of youth in carrying forward the island’s iconic steel pan culture.