No expense was spared in observing 55 years of sponsored partnership between Renegades Steel Orchestra and bpTT.
While they took a moment to celebrate how far they have come, they are not content to sit back on their laurels.
President of bpTT Renegades, Colin Greaves, said the steelband deserves all the accolades in their 55th year.
“As I said five years ago, 55 years now is not a long time, 55 years is a lifetime, so guys please join me in putting our hands together in for the Renegades lifetime partners, bpTT. In addition to that, this is also the 25th anniversary of the BP Renegades Youth Orchestra so please put your hands together for that. Twenty five years of changing lives and influencing the youth of the community.”
It was a veritable who’s who at 138 Renegades Way to celebrate the partnership between bp, a company driven by the purpose of re-imagining energy for people and the planet, and the steel orchestra with the most Panorama championship titles to date.
Two people currently bearing responsibility for the band’s resurgence to winning ways were honoured on the night. Arranger Duvonne Stewart and Captain, also called the Lady of Steel, Candice Andrews-Brumant, got to feel the love of the band before going back to the iron-clad discipline of any band on the hunt for a Panorama title.
bpTT President David Campbell also called for more love, this time from corporate entities towards the steelpan movement.
“This is our little way of saying thank you. I want to also recognise the Renegades and pan generally. So after sponsoring Panorama last year we’ve extended this year to be a pan ambassador as this is part of what we’re doing. For any of you up there who may be looking for something to sponsor, I think this is such a wonderful thing to do.”
The evening featured eats and drinks in addition to several live performances, including members of the Renegades Youth Steel Orchestra who recently defended their Under-21 Panorama Title, and Machel Montano, whose song ‘Bet Meh’ is the band’s tune of choice for Panorama 2025.
He had a special message for players and ‘pardiers’ alike: “Somebody say hat trick!”