The vibrant sounds of youthful musical excellence will resonate through Port of Spain this weekend as 22 emerging steelbands compete in the National Junior Panorama finals. The prestigious event, scheduled for January 18 at Queen’s Park Savannah, features both the established Under 21 category and a newly introduced Under 19 division that resulted from recent educational disputes.
The creation of the Under 19 category emerged as an innovative solution after northern Trinidad school steelbands withdrew from the Ministry of Education’s competition. These institutions protested the relocation of the Schools Panorama finals from Port of Spain to Skinner Park in San Fernando, citing prohibitive transportation costs that exceeded potential prize earnings. Recognizing the immense dedication of students who had been rehearsing since August 2025, Pan Trinbago intervened by establishing this complementary competition platform.
Ten ensembles will contend in the Under 21 category, while twelve bands make their debut in the pioneering Under 19 classification. All finalists earned their positions through rigorous preliminary and semifinal rounds conducted nationwide in local pan yards and community spaces.
The performance order places BATCE Steel as the opening act for the Under 19 segment, followed by ensembles including Eldo East ‘Blue’ Steel Orchestra, East Port of Spain Stars Steel Orchestra, and BARS of Steel. The category concludes with San Juan North Stars Steel Orchestra, after which Katzenjammers Youths will initiate the Under 21 competition.
Qualifying rounds revealed impressive musical prowess, with Shell Invaders Youth Steel Orchestra leading the rankings at 281 points for their interpretation of Crazy’s ‘Band From Space’. BP Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra followed closely with 278 points for ‘Jamtown’, while T&TEC Tropical Angel Harps Youth Steel Orchestra secured third position with 275 points for Baron’s ‘This Melody Sweet’.
Pan Trinbago’s official statement celebrated the participants, noting: ‘Your talent, discipline, and passion continue to inspire the future of the steelband movement. We are proud of both categories of youth of steel, whose commitment and excellence strengthen the legacy of our national musical instrument.’
The organization extended best wishes to all finalists, encouraging them to ‘shine on’ during this celebration of musical excellence that promises to showcase Trinidad and Tobago’s rich cultural heritage through its next generation of pannists.