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
Join the Trinidad and Tobago WhatsApp update group: https://chat.whatsapp.com/DKueX7ZV35626FbOsKBt03
Follow us on Instagram: @news.tringlobe
Woman Credits Prayer After Purchasing $14 Million Building
Rheon Elbourne discusses how frustration fueled his hit song 'Build My Dreams.'
Tax refunds becoming a waiting game? Trinidadians weigh in with their experiences.
Autopsy Confirms Mercedez Laynes Death by Blunt Force; Investigation into Murder Intensifies
Steelpan music icon Robbie Greenidge dies at 76.
The community mourns the loss of seven-year-old Adriel Aftab Mohamed after a tragic incident in…