Pan Trinbago Hosts Grand Steelband Champions Ceremony Honouring National Pride and Progress
Port of Spain, Trinidad – April 15, 2025
In a powerful celebration of musical excellence, cultural pride, and national progress, Pan Trinbago, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, hosted the Steelband Champions Prize Distribution Ceremony at the Radisson Hotel on Tuesday. Over 300 attendees—including steelband champions, government officials, corporate stakeholders, and members of the cultural community—gathered to honour the top performers of the 2024 Trinidad and Tobago National Steelband Music Festival, the 2025 Panorama competition, and the Carnival J’ouvert and Zonal Bomb competitions.
The evening’s feature address was delivered by the Honourable Stuart Young, S.C., Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, while Senator the Honourable Randall Mitchell, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, delivered stirring remarks reflecting on his years of service to the Steelpan movement since 2020.
“Steelpan was born in struggle, refined with the passion of the people of Trinidad and Tobago, and is celebrated all across the world,” said Minister Mitchell. “From Laventille to London, San Fernando to South Africa, and Tobago to Tokyo – our Pan beats the rhythm of a Nation that dares to dream.”
Minister Mitchell highlighted key milestones in the Government’s partnership with Pan Trinbago, citing achievements such as:
• The declaration of World Steelpan Day by the United Nations;
• Legislative recognition of the Steelpan as the National Musical Instrument;
• The placement of the Steelpan on the National Coat of Arms, marking its emblematic status;
• Establishment of Intellectual Property protections for the instrument;
• Renewed corporate investment and national unity driven by accountable leadership.
One of the ceremony’s major announcements was the distribution of nearly TT$25 million in prize money and remittances, including:
• $2.3 million in direct support to steelbands:
o 60 unsponsored bands received $10,000 each,
o 89 conventional bands received $20,000 each;
• $4.4 million in remittances to 5,551 players, with each receiving an increase of $800.
Minister Mitchell also celebrated the success of Panorama 2025, which he described as “perhaps the largest, most exciting, and most successful Panorama competition to date.” With massive crowds and international media acclaim, the competition solidified Trinidad and Tobago's leadership in global cultural expression.
“Neither Pan Trinbago nor the Government should apologise for its good work in promoting Pan,” he emphasized, responding to critics. “We may have to expand the space to accommodate more people in 2026—but never apologise for growing the Movement.”
Pan Trinbago President Beverley Ramsey-Moore opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks, praising the collaborative achievements between the organization and the state. Also in attendance were Permanent Secretary Videsh Maharaj and Deputy Permanent Secretary Martel Waldron of the Ministry of Tourism, along with Keiba Jacob Mottley of the National Carnival Commission and representatives from key sponsors.
The evening underscored the Government’s commitment to legacy-building, with pledges to continue infrastructural development—most notably, the construction of Pan Trinbago’s new headquarters, already allocated—and further initiatives to elevate the national instrument.
As the evening closed, Prime Minister Young reiterated the administration’s unwavering support for the Steelpan movement, while Minister Mitchell urged the steelband community to “give us the opportunity to build on what we have already started.”
The event was not just a celebration—it was a declaration: Steelpan is not only alive and well but thriving, leading a new era of cultural pride and national unity.