The Jean Pierre Complex in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad was abuzz with anticipation from the many steelpan music aficionados present to witness the 2010 edition of the Pan in the 21st Century competition.  Pan in the 21st Century is one of the premiere annual steel orchestra music competitions in the world after National Panorama.

 

Most of the bands opted for popular R&B-flavored songs for their selections.  The stipulation that the music be chosen from 2000 onward kept the show very modern and current, a decision that apparently went over very well with the young people, who made up the bulk of the steelpan musicians in each band.  The audience was also appreciative. 

 

Sforzata Steel Orchestra under the musical direction of Dr. Jeannine Remy captured both the imagination of the crowd and judges, as well as the 2010 Pan in the 21st Century title and TT $100,000.00 ($15,873.00 USD) prize - with their rendition of Jazmine Sullivan’s “Bust Your Windows.”   With a score of 283, the east Trinidad-based music group cleared ten points over their nearest rivals, second-placed Codrington Pan Family and Renegades steel orchestras, who tied for the position.  Sforzata’s final theatrical touch of an ‘angry young woman’ taking a bat to the windscreen of a car added to their connection with the audience, and probably to their score.  Jeannine Remy brought a different approach with a musical presentation based more on sonic percussive ‘colors’ than on solely rhythmic changes and melodic development.