Brooklyn, New York, USA – Pan
Evolution Steel Orchestra ably defended
its 2024 championship
by taking a consecutive title in the 2025 New York Panorama. Playing in the
penultimate position of the eight competing steel orchestras – the band
affectionately known as ‘PESO’ delivered a strong and decisive
performance of
André
White’s champion arrangement of
Too Own Way by “Voice.”
Pan Evolution Steel Orchestra of New York on stage with
arranger André White (left) for Panorama 2025 (image: screen
grab –
@Iamlivingmylife)
This is another excellent year for André, who is fresh off
leading another steel orchestra to the number one position – the
UK’s Mangrove Steel Orchestra
– just one week ago, last Saturday August 23. A few days later, success yet again,
this time in his hometown of New York, with a band where he has been the
resident arranger for the past ten years. And – the same scenario played
out last year, 2024: Mangrove was also the champion steel orchestra
working with André, who then returned home to lead Pan Evolution to
its first New York championship. This is André’s fifth Panorama
championship in New York.
Leader
Wayne Bernard has had musical dividends pay off through
sheer hard work and determination since founding Pan Evolution in 2015.
The sounds of the steel orchestra are sweet success, resonating with this Panorama
victory, for both Bernard and his family who manage the music
organization. What a way to celebrate a tenth anniversary year!
A gorgeous and cool Saturday evening was the backdrop to
an evening showcasing the sounds of scintillating steel orchestras in
Brooklyn. Eight bands came together under the bright lights on stage at
the back of the Brooklyn Museum on Saturday August 30, 2025 for the
annual steelband music competition, Panorama, organized by event promoter
W.I.A.D.C.A. (West Indian American Day Carnival Association).
Philadelphia (Philly) Pan Stars Steel
Orchestra was back for the New
York competition, and did even better this year – coming in second, up
one
spot from last year. Arranger
Roger Greenidge worked with the band for this second
consecutive season. Philadelphia Pan Stars players, and manager and
founder
Rondell Pompey
are probably pleased, and may even be already looking forward to 2026.
There were two “first-timers” this year. For
PanAlley Steel Orchestra
founded and led by Travis Roberts, this was the band’s inaugural
participation in the competition. Its arranger was
Marc
Brooks and with
Too Own Way as tune of choice, PanAlley was one of three bands
competing with that selection. PanAlley also did very well for its first
time, tying with D’Radoes Steel Orchestra for third place.
The other first-timer was
Vanessa Headley-Brewster as she is now the first female
arranger in the annual New York Panorama, and worked with Metro Steel
Orchestra. It was a leap forward for Women in Pan in
New York’s steelband world. Vanessa herself has two championships in Trinidad & Tobago’s Panorama, in the
small steel orchestra category in
2018 and
2025.
After weeks of dedicated practice (sometimes after a
full work-day for many), and travails ranging from finding a panyard to
practice in at the last minute, to not coming out at all [Pan
In Motion] due to not finding one,
to bands not being able to field enough musicians –
another Panorama season has come to an end in New York. Kudos to all
those who participated and contributed – every single player, the entire
pan community, overall supporters of the steelband art form – and all
those who put in untold and unknown sacrifices simply to get the steel
orchestras to the stage to participate in Panorama. As some might say:
“the struggle continues.”
Following are the results as posted on social media: