Courts Babonneau Steele Orchestra Wins Big in Panorama

Courts Babonneau Steel - Photo Courtesy Luciancarnival.com

For the first time ever St. Lucia crowned two Panorama champions, becoming only the second in the world to do so. After two years hiatus, Panorama was back on Friday July 15, setting the Beausejour Cricket Grounds alight with heart stopping arrangements, beautiful choreography and colourful costumes.

Five large and three small bands beat their hearts out to claim the fame of 2011 Panorama champions.

At the end of the night it was a double victory for Babonneau, as bands from that community topped both small and large band categories.

Best small band was title was awarded to Harmonites Steel Orchestra for their performance of Maléway, arranged by Ivan Smith.
In second place was Super J Pan Exodus , with first-timers St. Lucy’s Steelpan Orchestra of Micoud coming in third.

After years of reaching for the ultimate prize, Courts Babonneau Steel Orchestra finally raised the trophy, winning the large band category with a crowd-pleasing arrangement of Invader’s Walk & Wine by Alison Marquis. Second place went to PanTime Steel Orchestra, who also put in a gripping performance. LIME Diamond Steel Orchestra, who has won the title many times, came in third place, followed by BUSTA Emerald Steel and Assumption Knights Youth in Action.

The historic competition was presented by the National Steel Bands Association and the Carnival Stakeholders Committee of the CDF, with support from Pan Trinbago