ONLY 3? Get Real!!!

Posted By: michael dookie
Date: Tuesday, 1 February 2005, at 2:18 p.m.

This is a view to PanTrinbago.

With the restructuring of the PAnorama finals where only 8 large conventional bands go to the finals and 8 medium bands go to the final there is something fundamentally wrong here.

The Large BANDS.
Eight bands going to the final is not in the best interest of the majority of large bands. There are 5 bands which will continue to have "automatic" or "guaranteed" places in the final: ie in no order of preference : Renegades,Phase 11,All Stars, Despers, Exodus. This in effect leaves 3 places up for "grabs". IS this the direction that Pan Trinbago really believes to be in the best interest of the "large" bands. Something is fundamentally wrong with this entire structure.
Take for example Solo PAn Knights - which seems to own the ninth place for all competitions, or Fonclaire or Hatters or Nutones, or Starlift etc. These bands are now seldom around on the final night beacause of the new ruling.
My arguement is that in reality 3 places due to the dominance of the big 5, is just not enough for the large bands. A recent example, If this rule was in effect in 2003, then Solo PAn Knights would not have qualified after the semis, but this band went on to place 5th and gave a memorable performance, which to many was a major highlight of that year's final. The history of the panorama final night has numerous other examples of bands having a "soft semi performance" and then cracking hard for the final night. If this ruling stays into effect,then many large bands will have serious problems recruiting players, retaining sponsors, nurturing young aspiring arrangers etc. because the system is geared for the successful BIG 5. There needs to be a review of this , otherwise the future of the large bands is in real danger. MAybe increase the large bands to 10 for the final, and reduce the MEdium bands to 5 or 6 (not that I am advocating the demise of the medium bands in favour of the large bands). Or, just increase the large bands to 10 positions and retain the medium at 8 positions. If the show runs for an extra 30 mins, so be it, but the bands need to have the opportunity to showcase the music and talent they possess and also given ample opportunity to nuture the future of the instrument.
Food for thought!!!!! A CALL TO ACTION!!!!!