British High Commission to mark Commonwealth Day with ‘Pan Playoff’ competition among secondary-school groups

Secondary school students in Antigua and Barbuda will be able to take part in a “Commonwealth Day Pan Playoff” competition that has been launched by the British High Commission in St. John’s.

The Commission is inviting groups of five to 10 students to submit a four- to five-minute video recording of an original arrangement using the Commonwealth anthem as their motif – or short musical idea – and the pan as their lead instrument.

Video submissions should also include an explanation of how the group’s chosen arrangement aligns with the core values and principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter.

The top three groups will be recognised on Commonwealth Day, March 13, during a ceremony at Government House, while the High Commission will make a donation of equipment to their schools.

Reportedly, entries will be judged on arrangement; relevance to the Commonwealth Charter; the inclusion of the Commonwealth anthem; and general performance.

According to the High Commission, a detailed breakdown will be posted on its Facebook page and will be circulated to the Nation’s secondary schools.

Those taking part must be currently enrolled in a secondary institution, and more than one group, per school, can enter.  However, no student will be allowed to play within multiple groups, unless they are playing an accompanying instrument (drums, guitar, piano, etc.), the High Commission says.

Entries to this competition should be submitted to rbc.antiguaandbarbuda@gmail.com, along with the names of group members, the instrument each member played, and their school of origin, by March 7.

All entries will be posted on the “Resident British Commissioner to Antigua and Barbuda” Facebook page.  The entry with the most reactions by 12 a.m. on Thursday, March 9, will automatically advance to the final round of judging.

This competition is supported by the Royal Commonwealth Society of Antigua and Barbuda and the Ministry of Education, Creative Industries and Sports.