PASIC 2017 Mass Band

Above is the greatest meeting of the minds involved in steel pan that I have ever witnessed, which is largely because I missed the last PASIC this occured. Though this isn't everyone who is currently making the pan community proud, the picture above contains some of the most influential performers and composers of my lifetime. Composers whose names have been on my sheet music since the beginning were now casually standing around, cracking jokes and telling stories between runs of their own pieces. 

A committee (some pictured) was created to curate a diverse concert that could speak to all pan lovers. One committee member said they had about 50 pieces to choose from and had to make sure that similar music wasn't programmed, which I'm sure was no easy task. Though popular, it was also important to avoid an all Soca program to keep interest with the audience. Programmed pieces included bossa novas, cha cha, waltz and even a non-secular holiday tune. The concert closed with a performance of Las' Lap which was the perfect send off for everyone involved. 

The concert received a standing ovation and created a pan hang that lasted long enough to get kicked out of the hall for the next concert. Many comments were made about wishing this could happen every year!