GHS steel orchestra wins National Junior Panorama

The Girls’ High School (GHS) steel orchestra retained the top spot in the National Junior Panorama competition school-based category on Monday.

Doing “Come Follow Me” by Blaksand featuring Johnny Rebel, the 39-member strong GHS band had Johnny ‘JP’ Pompey as their arranger, Francis ‘Pest’ Llewellyn as their tuner and captain Jonice Hamlett.

The girls amassed a total 233 points.

In second place was the SVG Medical Association CW Prescod Primary School with 222 points. They did “Keep Loving Me” with arranger Kesslon ‘Tafa’ Wilson.

Third place went to the Marriaqua Government School with 175 points. They played “I Ain’t Missing” by Bomani with 18 players. Stefano Billingy is their arranger. They were also third last year.

The other competing schools were the South Rivers Methodist School, the Sandy Bay Primary School, the Troumaca Government School and the Union Island Conservatory of Music. The Bethel High School, which placed second last year was disqualified on Monday.

The main sponsors of the competition are the St Vincent Electricity Services (VINLEC), the St Vincent Brewery Limited, the National Insurance Services (NIS) and the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC).

Each competitor received an appearance fee of $4,000 while the winners were rewarded with trophies and bragging rights.