THE Champions of Steel in Concert, held on Saturday at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), has been labelled “a rare treat” by Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine.Being part of Guyana’s Golden Jubilee events, the concert was facilitated by the Ministry of Education’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, and was coordinated by Director of the National Steel Orchestra, Andrew Tyndall. It showcased Guyana’s most recognised steel pan orchestras and soloists, specifically the winning contenders of the Republic Bank’s Panorama Steel Pan Competition and steel pan legend Roy Geddes.

The show commenced with a steel pan rendition of the Nation Anthem, and concluded with an exuberating performance of some of Guyana’s national songs, including ‘Beautiful Guyana’ and ‘To serve my country’, performed by the North Ruimveldt Secondary School Orchestra.

These “remarkable performances”, so described by the Education Minister, ranged from the classical genre to Rap, to Jazz and Pop, to Caribbean Vibes; and concluded with Guyana’s National Songs.

The event also consisted of a dance, “Ribbon in the Sky”, performed by the National School of Dance, accompanied by the National Steel Orchestra and a musical band.

Each item presented at the event smoothly transitioned to a collection of steel pan performances, wherein various performers created their innovative interpretation of a variety of musical pieces, such as “the waltz of Kaieteur”, “Jubilee” and “Happiness” performed by the National Steel Orchestra; “Oh My Dear”, “The Lady is a Tramp” and “Take a Train” performed by the Guyana Police Force Steel Band; “Carnival Music from Mars”, “Pan for Beethoven” and “Pan in a Mirror” performed by the Parkside Steel Orchestra; “Featuring the Legends” creative solo by steel pan icon Roy Geddes, alongside musical band were also among the other performances.

Following the event, Dr Roopnaraine, in an interview, expressed the desire to have steel pan orchestras in all schools.
Notwithstanding the costs associated with this feat becoming a reality, the minister promised that by 2020 there would be a steel pan orchestra in at least 20 schools across the regions.

Officials who attended the concert included Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, Keith Scott; Minister of Business, Dominic Gaskin; Minister of Communities, Ronald Bulkan; and Permanent Secretary of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport, Alfred King, among other dignitaries.