Fresh off their latest triumph at the Republic Bank Panorama Competition, Pantime Steel Orchestra isn’t just winning with their music, they’re winning hearts. The Saint Lucian steelband, formed by a group of friends in 2000, has grown into a Caribbean musical force, blending skill with an infectious spirit that keeps fans coming back for more.
According to the band’s manager, Cecile Tortee Philgence, their first competition came in 2001, and they’ve since competed in multiple local and international showcases, including the International Conference and Panorama (ICP) in Trinidad and Pan in De Oval in Barbados. Music selection for competitions is a collaborative effort, with “some of the senior players” guiding the process.
ICP in 2015 was a panorama initiative by Pan Trinbago where reigning panorama champs from all over the world came to play in Trinidad. After Pantime made its three-peat by winning Panorama in 2013, 2014 and 2015 in Saint Lucia, they flew to ICP to represent the country in the competition.
Affectionately known as “Mandy”, Amanda Lawrence, a veteran member, has been with the band for two decades. Her love for steelpan began in Dominica, where she joined the Cultural Drama Club as a child. Though the club introduced her to many performing arts, one instrument stood out. “Steel pan was the activity I gravitated to the most,” she said. That passion soon became a calling.
Through a family friend, Amanda was invited to Saint Lucia to join Pantime. “The rest, as they say, is history,” she added; a history that’s now 20 years strong.
Her academic background in music including a degree in music composition from Princeton University has shaped how she learns and performs. Because of her foundation in theory, Amanda explained, “it’s easier for me to remember the music because I can remember those structures,” referring to chords, rhythms and patterns that give the music its form.
While major wins like ICP 2015 might seem like obvious highlights, Amanda’s most meaningful moment came during a challenging year. In 2011, the band had no sponsor, and many of the usual materials had to be handmade or improvised. “I helped make banners, paint pans, and package uniforms,” she recalled. “I still look at that video with a lot of pride.”
For Amanda, performance is a crucial part of musical education. “Learning music without performing is like never eating what you learn to cook,” she said. As an educator herself, she ties theory into practice so students can develop both understanding and skill.
She credits her early training in Dominica under Edward Andre as foundational, but emphasised the growth she has experienced with Pantime. “I blossomed there and they were the ones who showed me the vibe,” she said. And when it comes to what makes the group unique, Amanda believes it’s their unmistakable spirit. “Perhaps I’m biased,” she said with a laugh, “but I believe that Pantime’s players have a special energy and vibe… They will always bring the energy.”
The band now has one major goal in mind; establishing a permanent home. “Right now we need to get our home for the band,” the manager said; a step that would help secure Pantime’s future and continue its mission of nurturing talent and passion through pan.
