by Roxanne Thompson

• Performance of Cordel Byam’s arrangement of Sakinah’s “I Got Me,” earned Nexa first place
• Angel Harps and Rainbow City All Stars place 2nd and 3rd, respectively
• Six late steelpan contributors honoured

Nexa New Dimension captured its landmark 15th National Senior Panorama title at the 2026 SMC Senior Panorama finals, after taking the stage as the 8th and final band of the night.

Performing Cordel Byam’s arrangement of Sakinah’s hit track “I Got Me,” New Dimension earned 281 points to secure first place. Republic Bank Angel Harps took second with 273 points for their execution of Mr Gold’N’s “Down in Greenz,” arranged by Orlando Thomas and Gerard “Gerry” Tamar. IMA Rainbow City All Stars rounded out the top three with 267 points, performing Shortpree’s “Town Action” under the musical direction of arranger Jevon Andrews.

Nexa New Dimension prepares to perform. Photo: Roxanne Thompson

2026 SMC Senior Panorama results

• 1st: Nexa New Dimension “I Got Me” (Sakinah) — 281 points
• 2nd: Republic Bank Angel Harps “Down in Greenz” (Mr Gold’N) — Orlando Thomas and Gerard “Gerry” Tamar — 273 points
• 3rd: IMA Rainbow City All Stars “Town Action” (Shortpree) — 267 points
• 4th: Pan Wizards “The Return” (Boyzie) — 264 points
• 5th: Co-op Bank Commancheros “Party Different” (Dash) — 260 points
• 6th: Gravel & Concrete Pan Angels “Town Action” (Shortpree) — 241 points
• 7th: Pan Ossia “Bouquet Now” (Shortpree) — 240 points
• 8th: St Mark’s All Stars “No Place Sweeter Than Home” (Inspector) — 231 points

Founded in March 1988, Nexa New Dimension has established itself as one of Grenada’s successful steel orchestras. In addition to its 15 National Senior Panorama titles, the band has also won 7 Pan Xpression competitions.

Behind the performances was a gruelling, round-the-clock operational effort by players and support crews. Teams arrived at the stadium hours before the competition began to haul heavy instrument stands, set up steel pans, and conduct last-minute rehearsals. With the competition ending after midnight, the work continued as players and crews reloaded trucks, returned instruments to their respective pan yards and transported members home. One pan member confirmed that he did not reach home until 9 am Sunday morning.

During Saturday night’s proceedings, a tribute was paid to 6 members of the steelpan community who recently passed away, acknowledging their contributions to Grenada’s steelpan movement: Denis “Moppy, Briggy” Philip, Kenton “Fry” Roberts, Roger “Jazzy” DePradine, Othniel “Boogsie” St Claire, Mykal “Blaize” Robertson, and Joanna Radgill Leslie.

Calypso contender Valene Nedd celebrated Grenada’s steelpan culture with “Big Up D Pan Man,” a tribute to pan players and lovers that honoured both pan men and pan women. The evening highlighted the next generation of the movement, with some bands featuring musicians as young as 7 years old alongside seasoned veterans, while St Mark’s All Stars made their debut on the national Panorama stage. The participation of young musicians and the debut of a new band underscored the continued development of steelpan talent among Grenada’s youth.

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