PANCH Award
Since 2005 PANCH gives an award to a personality who has rendered outstanding service to the steelpan music in Switzerland.
PANCH Award 2007 for Sterling Betancourt
Today we honour a person that rendered outstanding services not only to steelband music in Switzerland, but in all Europe if not to say in the whole world. It is Sterling Betancourt, solist, arranger, bandleader and teacher from Trinidad and Tobago.Born 1930, at the age of 22 he became a member of the legendary TASPO "Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra", who was the first steelband to be sent abroad to participate in a music festival in London.
PANCH Award 2006 for Patrik Bernhard
Today we are proud to announce that the PANCH Award 2006 goes to Pat Bernhard.Pat was born 1960 in Berne. At the age of eleven he started to play the piano and attended classes at the academy of music/conservatory. After his Matura he started to study law, but didn't stay for long: his passion for music was much stronger. He was educated as a music teacher and studied at the Swiss Jazz School in Berne. He played in diverse rock and jazz bands.
PANCH Award 2005 for Wilbert Junior Gill
On the occasion of the Steelbandfestival Männedorf, PANCH awarded for the first time a personality for his merits in steelband music. A person who is well renowned as musician and a big promoter of musical education for kids: Wilbert Junior Gill.Junior was born in London. His family originates from Barbados. In his childhood he learnt to play the piano, vibraphone, marimba, bongos and pan. His friend Tamla Batra encouraged him to get the theoretical background in music. So he studied music and mathematics in Middlesex.