PAN TRINBAGO AND THE SOCIAL CONFLICT SURROUNDING PHASE II’S PANORAMA PERFORMANCE OF 2011

Abstract

” The steelpan is historically significant to the people of Trinidad and Tobago as it shapes our identity and evokes a sense of national pride. Among many performative practices within this community, the steelpannists are governed by a national cultural organization called Pan Trinbago, which maintains close relationships with local musicians and groups, and works diligently with musicians’ unions in other countries as well. Pan Trinbago is responsible for the largest steelpan competition in the world, Panorama, which is held annually in Trinidad during the Carnival season. This arena allows for the exhibition of significant performance practices, cultural aesthetics, and creative development within a competitive musical environment, but it is also a site of social conflict on multiple levels. Most of this conflict exists between representatives of Pan Trinbago and of the steelbands that participate in the competition. My work addresses the study of this competitive space, which brings the officers of Pan Trinbago together with Panorama’s steelpannists, alternatively in alliance and conflict. To embody this conflict, I will showcase research on Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, steelpan virtuoso and arranger for Phase II Pan Groove, a high-ranking steelband in Trinidad and Tobago; and Keith Diaz, the current president of Pan Trinbago. ” Summarized Quotes from ‘Abstract’ of the Full Text.