Republic Bank Angel Harps remains a top winner

Republic Bank Angel Harps remains a top winner

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Details: Parent Category: Aug 2011; Category: Week ending Aug 13th, 2011; Published on Sunday, 14 August 2011 18:12; Hits: 2029

Republic Bank Angel Harps has shown that it is a force to be reckoned with by adding another title to its string of panorama successes, bringing its number to 13. Playing first and making a strong statement to the other seven steel bands in competition on Pantastic Saturday Night with its song, “Pan In U Face,” Angel Harps set the pace for the others to follow. The band fully utilized its ten minutes of playing time with a song that was composed and arranged by James Clarkson, the retiring Commissioner of Police.

Angel-Harps

The Tanteen-based steel won the hearts of the judges and ended up in winner’s row with 256 points to dethrone the 2009 winner, Coyaba New Dimensions which had to settle for the fifth spot with 241 points. With 130 pieces of playing instruments and 55 players, Republic Bank Angel Harps added to its past panorama achievements of winning the coveted titles in 1970, 1973, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2005 and 2008.

An elated Drill Master, Andy Chichester who referred to the steel band as being “The Band Of Grenada” credited the entire Republic Bank Angel Harps Family for the victory. Chichester said with the level of practice that was put into the preparation for panorama, they were always confident of taking the title for another year.

“Once we practiced, once we prepared, we were confident. So the confidence starts with being in the pan yard, what we do in the pan yard. When we come here, it’s the last rehearsal for us, it’s the last time we get to show what we’ve been doing for several months, so the confidence is always there,” he added.

Chichester whose main role is to ensure that the music is clean after Clarkson does his job of arranging, pointed out that it takes at least six to ten sessions to teach the players the entire song. However, he was quick to add that the hard work comes after the music would have been learnt.

The Drill Master spoke of the players’ dedication despite the challenges. “The dedication was always there. As with everything there are challenges, but the players know what time it is, what has to happen, when it has to happen. Mr. Clarkson is a disciplinarian so it starts with him, and whatever he instills in us, whatever he asks of us that’s what we have to do and that’s what we came out and execute,” he said.

“We’re going to ensure that Carenage people could enjoy this season with us and, as always, one more trophy in the wards of Angel Harps,” he added. However, while the winner’s trophy has gone to Republic Bank Angel Harps, the biggest upset of the night came from Pan Ossia from Gouyave, St. John’s. The Gouyave band, which was formed in 2009, placed second in its debut at a national panorama championship.

Although it was not sponsored, Pan Ossia managed to secure 160 pieces of instrument for its 56 players to score 256 points and defeat a number of other big name bands. It was one of three bands from St. John’s that participated in the competition. It did “Pan Is We Ting,” written and arranged by Robert Cadet. In third position was Lime Commancheros (250), which did a remix of King Ajamu’s song in 2005, “Ajamu on the Road Again”. Commancheros, which was formed in 1967, last won panorama in 2007.

Suzuki Pan Wizards which was looking to offer government minister and Member of Parliament for the Town of St. George, Peter (David) a “Lash Ah Steel” placed fourth with 249 points. The band is sponsored by a company in which one of the directors, Nickolas Steele is expected to be named by the main opposition, New National Party (NNP) as its candidate to contest the seat against David in the 2013 general elections.

Although Coyaba New Dimension, which is located in the heart of the city placed fifth in the competition, it had already won the Bomb Tune Competition that took place earlier on July 1. The band from the Big Parish, Rainbow City All Stars placed sixth with 220 points. In the seventh position was Digicel Florida All Stars with 214 points, and the eight spot was occupied by Grand Roy Pan Angels with 186 points.