St Francois Valley Stars capture Under-19 Junior Panorama title

St Francois Valley Stars capture Under-19 Junior Panorama title

St Francois Valley Stars emerged champions of the Under-19 Junior Panorama, claiming top honours with 277 points, while BATCE Steel and Sapphonic Steel finished joint second on 274 points.

The competition got underway promptly at 1 pm, with uncertainty lingering over whether the preliminary scores would be wiped clean ahead of the finals. Once the ground was levelled, however, the contest was wide open.

BATCE Steel, preliminary leaders, set the tone early with their performance of Retro, signalling that they were not prepared to relinquish their advantage without a fight. St Francois Valley Stars followed with a high-energy rendition of Voice’s Too Own Way, delivering one of the standout performances of the afternoon and bringing the packed audience to its feet.

Preliminary runners-up Sapphonic Steel also made a strong impression with a jazz-infused version of Jamtown, one of the most popular selections of the day, performed by four bands.

Under clear, sunny skies and before a near-capacity Grand Stand, the competition unfolded smoothly. Many bands opted for dramatic presentations, featuring moko jumbies, orators, confetti, and dancers. The eventual winners even incorporated placards highlighting the ongoing controversy surrounding the choice of venue—Skinner Park versus the Queen’s Park Savannah—for secondary school competitions.

School bands had voiced objections to the Ministry of Education’s late decision to move the event to Skinner Park, citing short notice and additional costs. Despite the concerns, the inaugural Under-19 showdown delivered a thrilling musical spectacle.

By 3.50 pm, San Juan North Stars Steel took the stage with Dear Promoter by Aaron “Voice” St Louis and Kees Dieffenthaller. Judges faced the challenging task of separating performances that had completely captivated the audience.

Final results:
1. St Francois Valley Stars – 277
2. BATCE Steel – 274
3. Sapphonic Steel – 274
4. BARS of Steel – 273
5. Knights of Steel – 270
6. Legacy Steel Orchestra – 269
7. Symphony of Saints – 265
8. East P.O.S Stars Steel Orchestra – 263
9. San Juan North Stars Steel Orchestra – 262
10. Eldo East “Blue Steel” Orchestra – 261

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