The NLCB PanoGrama is the World Cup of Steelpan. It's an international steelpan competition and solo musicians from anywhere in the world are welcomed. In order to participate, you are required to audition (more info here) from February 28 – March 21, 2021. A panel would select Twenty-nine (29) musicians for the preliminary round.

The competition will feature a maximum of thirty (30) musicians. One (1) spot is reserved for the current defending champion.

Prelims, Semifinals & Finals

A maximum of thirty (30) musicians would compete in the prelims and a total of twenty (20) would progress to the semifinals. There will only be ten (10) finalists.

Fees

There are no registration fees associated with the competition. Participants would be encouraged to make an optional donation to PanoGrama Entertainment to aid its charity drive.

PRIZES

First

$1,000.00 USD
All-expenses-paid trip to Canada to perform for Sons of Steel (5-day trip). *Terms and conditions apply
Virtual one-on-one session with world-renowned steelpannist, Victor Provost
1 x Augustus Peters Steelpans Chrome Low C Tenor Pan Package (Tenor pan, case, stand and sticks)

Second

$800.00 USD
Virtual one-on-one session with world-renowned steelpannist, Victor Provost.

Third

$500.00 USD
Virtual one-on-one session with world-renowned steelpannist, Victor Provost.

Special Awards

People’s Choice
Best Dressed

All Finalists

All finalists will receive an appearance fee (To be confirmed)

All Semifinalists

All semifinalists will receive a promotional copy of the #1 Steelpan App GOLD

All Participants

All participants will receive a pair of pan sticks courtesy The MalletMan

KNOWLEDGE FOR SUCCESS SERIES

All participants who make it into the preliminary round of the NLCB PanoGrama will have the opportunity to benefit from webinars covering the following areas:

Personal/Professional Development
Musical Development
Career Guidance+
Music & Business

RULES/REQUIREMENTS

Performance

Musicians would be required to perform a tune of choice for a maximum of 4 minutes 30 seconds accompanied by backing tracks, for each round of the competition. The creation of custom backing tracks is encouraged.

Backing tracks must be soundtracks/accompaniment only and should not contain the melody of the selection.

Variations can be pre-composed and must represent the musician’s original ideas. Improvising is not mandatory.

Tune of Choice

Selections can be made from any genre of music for performance(s). Should a musician progress in the competition, that musician cannot use the same selection again.

Instruments

Musicians are free to use any steelpan of their choice and the changing of instruments across rounds is allowed (i.e. A musician who played tenor for the preliminary round can switch to double seconds for the semifinals, should they qualify). There is no limit to the number of steelpans that can be used for a performance.

Ties

Where there is a tie in the prelims or semifinals that increases the total number of musicians allowed to progress to the next round, each musician would be required to perform for two (2) minutes on the same track, selected by the NLCB PanoGrama, and be judged on variations. The higher scorer would progress. For example, if there is a tie for 20th in the prelims or 10th in the semifinals, this tie-breaker would apply.

All ties in the finals will remain as is with the exception of ties for first. The musicians involved in a tie for first will perform for two (2) on the same track, selected by the NLCB PanoGrama, and be judged on variations.

Use of the Electronic Pans

The use of electronic steelpans will be allowed under the conditions that only the steelpan tone will be permitted and striking chords of more than four (4) notes is prohibited.

General

Musicians would require:

Strong Wi-Fi
Well-lit and quiet area for performance
Camera or smartphone with the capability of recording in 1080p
Tripod
Backing tracks for accompaniment
Talent and professionalism

JUDGING CRITERIA

Criteria

JUDGING

A panel of five (5) adjudicators will judge musicians for the prelims, semis and finals. The average of the judges’ total score will be used as a musician’s final score in the round for which the scores were given.

Musician's Score

(Score 1 + Score 2 + Score 3 + Score 4 + Score 5)/5

CRITERIA/POINTS BREAKDOWN

Each judge will adjudicate musicians out of a total of 100 points according to the following criteria:

Introduction & Ending (10)

Introduction (5) – The musician’s ability to create a preamble that would lead into the original verse and chorus
Ending (5) - The musician's ability to to effectively conclude the rendition

Variations [Pre-composed or Improvised] (50)

Motivic Relevance (15) – The ability of the musician to manipulate motifs from the original piece
Melodic Interest (15) – The ability of the musician to explore the concept of the original statement within the variations/solos
Technicality (10) – The level of skill used effectively to execute the music
Flow/Structure (10) – The overall shape or organisation of the rendition

Execution (20)

Melody (5) – The ability of the musician to establish the concept of the original tune
Harmony (5) – The musician’s ability to create interesting harmonic combinations at various points of the rendition
Expression (5) – The ability to use dynamics and other forms of articulation effectively
Rhythm & Technique (5) – The ability of the musician to maintain consistency in tempo. Deliberate tempo choices should be evident. The manner in which notes are struck throughout the execution of the tune will be considered also

Performance (20)

Attire (5) – The costuming of the musician as it relates to the theme of the rendition
Tone (5) – Steelpans must be well tuned
Presentation (5) – The enhancement of the musician’s performance space as it relates to the theme of the rendition
Creativity (5) – The ability of the musician to push the envelope

Time Violation

Musicians performing beyond the allotted time of 4 minutes and 30 seconds will face a 5-point deduction from each adjudicator. Performances under three (3) minutes would not be accepted.

Violations (Electronic Pans)

The use of electronic steelpans will be allowed under the following conditions:

Only the steelpan tone will be permitted
Striking chords of more than four (4) notes is prohibited

Musicians using electronic steelpans who do not comply with the stipulated conditions for use will face a 5-point deduction from each judge.

General

The clock starts running for a performance when the track starts or when the first note is struck, whichever comes first. The clock will stop when the track ends.