UP to the post-World War II era, the musical culture of Guyana was vibrant and creative.  Such vibrancy was manifested in both the popular and classical strands and in both of the two main musical traditions which were most prominent in Guyana — the Western and the Indian.

The Western strand was much more prominent than the Indian, since it was supported by the colonial authorities, was taught in the schools and was largely the music of the capital city, Georgetown.  Indian music was mostly prevalent in the countryside and occurred at the mandirs (temples) and mosques and at social functions such as weddings and festivals such as Phagwah and Diwali.

The classical as well as the popular trends of both traditions were fairly strong.  Most of the Indian songs and music which were heard at social occasions such as weddings and at festivals, were semi-classical and were special to those occasions; today, Bollywood-type music predominates.  In the mandirs, however, the music was always religious and there were also many musicians who were acquainted with the various Ragas of Indian classical music.

The Western popular music was largely imported from North America and Europe, except for the small creole element, and was sung and played on radio and at social and official functions There were a large number of bands that played at dances and other social functions and for the Christmas and Easter holiday seasons, bands had to be booked months before.  These bands had percussion, stringed and wind instruments and two of the most popular were Washboards and Sonny Thomas and his orchestra.  Sonny Thomas was a very fine pianist and band leader, though he was blind.

Classical songs were sung in the schools and some recorded classical music was played, especially at the beginning of the school day.  There were a large number of able and competent music teachers who taught mainly the violin and piano and many children and young people sat the Royal College of Music examinations.  One of the spinoffs of these examinations was that one of the able teachers from the Royal College would visit Guyana every year and hold classes and often gave public concerts.  At least once per year a music festival was held where young people were able to perform.  Musicians and teachers like Miss Lynette Dolphin and Billy Pilgrim were live wires in organising these music festivals.  There were also regular classical concerts held in Georgetown presented by famous visiting classical performers and able local musicians as well.  Regular weekend concerts were held at the Town Hall and included performers like Lynette Dolphin, Rosemary Ramdeholl and Lynette Katchay.  Many members of the public got their first introduction to Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Bach and other classical composers from these concerts.

The Militia and Police Bands gave regular public concerts and their repertoire was mostly classical.

It should be noted that violins, pianos and wind instruments were available at the local shops, as well as piano tuners and persons who could string violins and guitars and repair musical instruments.

For a musical culture to flourish, it requires a stable society and a fairly prosperous economy and Guyana from the late 1950s, was caught in a political imbroglio which led to massive emigration, economic contraction and decline and an unstable society.  The vibrant musical culture of the society was destroyed and the cheapest and most ephemeral American music and Bollywood Indian film music took over Guyana.  The youth became musically illiterate, competent music teachers have almost all disappeared and musical instruments are no longer sold in the shops.  Famous and great international artistes no longer have Guyana on their itinerary when touring South America.

A vibrant and creative musical culture could again be resuscitated in a short time and this is not an insuperable challenge: qualified music teachers should be assigned to the Teachers Training College and to all the major primary and secondary schools and music should be accepted by government as one of the subjects recognised for employment as English is.  The Royal College of Music examinations should be revived on a wider scale and National Music Festivals should again be held at least annually and the outstanding performers be featured on the radio and television.

The Indian Cultural Centre should be co-opted in our national effort and this would mean they would have to strengthen their staff and have more musical instruments, some of which they may donate to the teaching institutions which require them.  Local Indian cultural societies which would wish to join in this resuscitation effort should also be co-opted.

The National School of Music in Brickdam should be made to play a greater role in this effort and the Ministry of Education and its cultural arm should encourage and even subsidise the importation of musical instruments.  Training programmes should be mounted to assist those who may wish to acquire skills in repairing musical instruments.  The Department of Culture should be on the lookout to attract world-famous artistes to divert their itineraries to include Guyana.  The Militia and Police Bands should be persuaded to give regular public concerts, using their classical repertoire.

And lastly, the computer and to a lesser extent, the television, should be employed to help  revolutionise music education in Guyana.       .