At the first Panorama in 1963, Anthony "Tony" Williams presented an arrangement of Slinger "Mighty Sparrow" Francisco's "Dan Is The Man (In The Van)" that would set the standard for Panoramas to come. As the competition continued arrangers like Bobby Mohammed, Earl Rodney, Jit Samaroo, and many others continued to present new ideas and techniques that became part of what is known as the "Panorama formula." In its current configuration the Panorama formula can be seen as an amalgamation of techniques introduced by past arrangers, but some argue that the formula has become too predictable and that arrangers who present works continuing to push the boundaries of the competition are often not rewarded, and perhaps punished for their efforts. This document will explore, through the history of the competition and the development of past arrangers, how the formulaic procedures of Panorama have developed. In addition, the recent works of arrangers Ray Holman, Liam Teague, and Andy Narell will be examined to see how they have challenged the expectations of the Panorama judges and the steelband community.

abstract: This document highlights the increased involvement of “ college boys ” or “ white college boys ” - better-educated middle-class white and light-skinned persons - in steelbands in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Following an introductory overview of the demography of Trinidad and Tobago, the history of Carnival, and the interregnum of the temporary instruments used between the ban of indigenous drums in the 1880s and the invention of the steelpan at the end of the 1930s, this document will examine the history and membership of these college boy bands, with particular emphasis on the Hit Paraders. Two factors that highlight the vital role played by these college boy steelbands are discussed: commercial sponsorship of bands, and support that bands received from the People's National Movement Party. A detailed timeline of steelpan invention and innovations is also included. / Dissertation/Thesis / D.M.A. Music 2011

This document is directed toward those who have little knowledge about Trinidad, its people, the Carnival activities, and the Panorama competition. This research work should help summarize the evolution of steel drums while providing a transcription of a Panorama score for further scholarly study. The first part of this lecture document includes a brief history and evolution of Trinidad, its people, and musical developments through Carnival. The second portion reports and discusses field research with the Trintoc Invaders in preparation for the 1989 and 1990 Panorama competitions. The third part is a detailed analysis of Ray Holman's Panorama arrangement of "Life's Too Short" for the Trintoc Invaders using theme and variation as the formal structure. Information for this lecture recital document was gathered from written sources in Trinidadian libraries and field work in the Trintoc Invader's pan yard. The source materials: newspaper articles, magazine articles, and books were gathered from the University of the West Indies in St. Augustine and from the West Indian Collection of the Central Library in Belmont. In addition to these materials, interviews were conducted with some older panmen who participated in the very first steel bands. Documents, such as lists of steel bands in Trinidad and Tobago, Panorama results, and judging procedures were obtained from the Pan Trinbago headquarters in Port-of-Spain. Musical information was gathered by rehearsing and playing tenor pan with the Invaders Steel Band Orchestra located in Woodbrook and working closely with their arranger and composer, Ray Holman. Permission was granted to notate his arrangement for analysis and all rights are reserved.