GEMONITES STEEL ORCHESTRA

THE SILVER STORY OF A GOLDEN ORGANIZATION! The story of Gemonites Steel Orchestra lends credence to the concept that a combination of "perspiration and aspiration is the formula for success".   Strong ties - forged at Princess Margaret School - solidified, in 1978, when the school's PMS Serenaders, became the Gemonites, a band made up of graduates and others. The group would, from these humble beginnings, go on to become a well-respected cultural institution.   Gemonites first entered the Panorama in 1978 placing fourth, and followed this with a respectable third place tie in 1979. When the competition resumed in 1981, after a one-year absence, Gemonites won the coveted title of national Panorama champions with an infectious Paul Campbell arrangement of Swallow's 'Twenty-five Years of Mas’. By this time, Gemonites had become a household name, entertaining tourists in the various hotels, as well as, locals. In 1982, Gemonites made its first tour to Antigua's sister island, Barbuda, and shortly thereafter, was selected to represent Antigua at the 1982 world's fair in Knoxville, Tennessee. A follow-up tour of Tennessee materialized in 1984.   Panorama was revived in 1985, and Gemonites continued to participate, though perennially coming in third. In 1988, Panorama was abandoned, and, in 1989, there was a boycott.   Over the period 1990 to 1995, Gemonites again competed in Panorama and often found itself just short of the prestigious title, with several second and third positions.   When panorama was discontinued, in 1996, Gemonites beat all competitors to capture the first ever National Bomb Competition title and followed this up with consecutive second places, in 1997 and 1998.   Panorama returned in 2001 and Gemonites declared its intent by claiming third place, improving to second in 2002, and finally, in its Silver Anniversary year, capturing the elusive championship in 2003, twenty-two years after their first victory.