ANSA McAl Trading Limited (AMTL) on Tuesday last conducted a two-day music workshop in which two Trinidadian music experts, Roy Cape of the Roy Cape All Star Band and Daryl Braxton, Cultural Ambassador were invited to interact and train local musicians, who turned out in their numbers at the SideWalk Café, Middle Street, Georgetown.

The two-day music workshop was designed to further enhance music in Guyana and all musicians were encouraged to participate in an effort to assist them in perfecting their craft.
AMTL Marketing Director, Troy Cadogan told reporters on Tuesday last that  as part of AMTL 20th Anniversary celebrations, the company decided to host a two-day Music Workshop designed to further enhance music in Guyana.
He added that the company sponsored the Carib Soca Monarch activities for a number of years and one of their objectives is to improve the standard of local soca music in Guyana since they have recognized there are some shortfalls and would like to assist the locals to become better musicians.
Cadogan explained that this is their seventh year and felt that they did not produce the required amount of musicians that they can compete with on the international market.
He noted that their target goal is to improve the Carib Soca Monarch competition not only by sponsorship but by doing more and thought that if they got an insight on how they actually compose and develop music they can assist.
Cadogan stated as such they brought the right people from Trinidad, Roy Cape and Daryl Braxton to hold a music workshop to enlighten the locals here.
He pointed out that the Trinidadian experts are here to bring soca music not just that but music in general to us and then again they can develop a way forward.
Cadogan told reporters on Tuesday that he was very pleased with the turnout as he looked around the room on Tuesday at the SideWalk Café.
He added that they would also be sponsoring a jazz concert this weekend all in an effort to enhance music here with the locals.
Roy Cape in response told the media that about a month ago he was performing with several artistes including Destra, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons and there was Nigel Worrel of AMTL and he was asked me to come to Guyana and as the time got closer he recommended Daryl Braxton for the music workshop.
However, Daryl Braxton said that when he got call from Roy Cape he was excited since he is the music teacher and accepted the request to come to Guyana to enhance music.
Braxton added that because of his deep love of music he came with the idea that if even if one person leave at the end of the workshop he would be happy since they are here to both learn and teach from the locals.
He stated that he is about spreading music around the world and from talking to Nigel Worrell he got the impression that the Soca scene in Guyana is not so much on top and would like it to break into the international market.
Braxton said: “From what I heard so far soca music got a better understanding of the kind of music being produced here – to impart knowledge.”
Meanwhile, Roy Cape said on the music scene he would like to see business and legal people in Caribbean to get on board since they alone can do only so much and recognised that Guyana has the potential where the music here is healthy.
He recalled performing with many calypsoians including the Mighty Sparrow and had no problem in recommending Daryl Braxton to assist since he is regarded as the “studio man” in Trinidad.
Braxton told reporters that he is here to address the music workshop by enhancing melody, content, actual sound structure noting that it is an acquired skill of where you are and where you want to take the music so you have to know what is expected from the wider scale.
He explained that sometimes music is interpreted differently but what he wants to do is try to get the songs written properly so that it would be on par with anything and everything that is being played in Trinidad and the wider Caribbean.
Braxton said: “It is simple getting back to the basics by showing simple ways to improve their song writing skills so that they can stand out.”
Roy Cape has been in the music business for 54 years and never do it to get honour but nevertheless he was awarded on October 29, 2010 by the University of West Indies with the Honourary Doctorate of Letters and in Trinidad in 2004 he was awarded a Hummingbird Gold Medal for the contribution to his country.
On Wednesday a Barbadian musician, Arturo Tappin was present for the AMTL music workshop in which he enlighten the local of the technical aspect as such as using the instruments etc. While on Tuesday the Trinidadians Roy Cape and Daryl Braxton heard the experiences of the locals and they were appropriately advised.