Based on the quality of the music put forward at this year’s National Schools Panorama competition, the future of our national instrument is indeed alive and well.
Following weeks of judging at the respective schools and panyards, the judges have chosen 20 schools to advance to the finals of the Ministry of Education National Schools Panorama competition, better known as Junior Panorama.
The finale of the competition, hosted in collaboration with the Pan in Schools Coordinating Council and Pan Trinbago, will take place at the Queen’s Park Savannah this Sunday.
Education Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly said in a release that having had the opportunity to visit one of the schools during the preliminary round, she concluded “the future of our national instrument is alive and well. The passion of these young people is infectious.”
The release said that every year, the Visual and Performing Arts Unit (VAPA) of the Curriculum Planning and Development Division of the ministry, plans, manages and successfully executes this landmark event.
“The goal is to provide a national platform to show off the best of our students’ musical and artistic talents on the national instrument.”
All ten bands which registered for the Primary School competition, have moved on to the finals.
Drawing for positions for Sunday will take place at Education Towers, Port of Spain tomorrow.
Here are the finalists in both the primary and secondary divisions:
PRIMARY SCHOOLS FINALISTS
* Success Laventille RC
* Couva Anglican
* St Gabriel’s Girls RC
* Guaico Presbyterian
* Tamana RC
* Santa Maria RC
* Febeau Government
* St Mary’s Government
* Vance River RC
* Carenage Boys’ Government.
SECONDARY SCHOOL FINALISTS
* Bishop Anstey, PoS
* Bishop Anstey College/Trinity College East
* Naparima Combined
* South East PoS
* St Francois College
* St Joseph’s Convent, St Joseph
* QRC Providence
* El Dorado East Government Secondary
* Pleasantville Secondary
* Holy Cross College.
(photo courtesy GML)
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