WITH blazing pans, arrangers for a San Fernando secondary school panside are going into this weekend's competition confident of a victory with a tune which won their father the coveted National Panorama large band title 50 years ago.
Steve Achaiba created history for Hatters Steel Orchestra by winning the title with Kitchener's Tribute to Spree Simon in 1975.
No other south band has been able to reach that pinnacle since.
Two of Achaiba's children – Jonathan and Adrianna Achaiba are now arrangers for St Joseph's Convent SJC Blue Steel from Harris Promenade, San Fernando.
The arrangers and Blue Steel have been knocking on the doors of the National Schools' Panorama Competition for years, but always fell short. This year, they believe they have the winning formula and are going for victory with the same song.
Blue Steel, which has a few players from other schools, has been honing the players' skills at Pan Elders panyard on Carib Street, San Fernando, getting ready for the February 2 final competition at Queen's Park Savannah, Port of Spain.
[caption id="attachment_1135731" align="alignnone" width="1024"] St Joseph's Convent, San Fernando panside SJC Blue Steel plays Lord Kitchener's Tribute to Spree Simon under the guidance of arrangers Jonathan and Adrianna Achaiba, during the preliminaries of the Secondary School Panorama competition. SJC Blue Steel were judged on January 22 at Pan Elders panyard on Carib Street. - Photo by Innis Francis[/caption]
It was among six outstanding south secondary schools which delivered unforgettable performances during the preliminary judging on January 22.
As he introduced the band to the panel of judges, Jonathan explained, “It is 50 years – 1975 – since my father won the national large band Panorama competition with Hatters Steel Orchestra. In tribute to him, my sister and I decided to take the same song, with our twist and passion and fusion from the youths of today.
“This song is about honouring legends and people of the past who have paved the way for us to appreciate pan as it is right now. This one is for you, Dad,” he said.
Neil Simon, arranger for its sister school and defending champion Holy Faith Convent, Penal, is promising that it will not be easy to unseat them, as they too are going for double victory.
Simon is hoping to repeat the victory with an arrangement of the memorable Pan By Storm. He said choice was automatic, after being invited by the family of the late composer and pan icon Ken “Professor” Philmore to play this selection vocalised by Designer, at a tribute concert in his honour in 2024.
This sealed their decision to continue its homage to Professor's remarkable legacy.
Following the band's performance at Panasonic panyard, Macoon Street, San Fernando, Simon said he was pleased with how well the convent girls executed the music.
[caption id="attachment_1135673" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Defending primary school champion St Margaret's Boys Anglican Primary School of Belmont.[/caption]
“As defending champions there was a l
