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MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony yesterday received a $1.5M cheque from Republic Bank (Guyana) Ltd to facilitate the fourth annual PanStart Pan Minors Literacy programme which is being held from July 8-25. Making remarks after receiving the cheque at the National School of Music, Brickdam, Georgetown, Dr. Anthony expressed gratitude to the bank for once again coming on board this programme, which will see 175 children being trained in the steel pan art form.
He asserted that the relationship between his ministry and Republic Bank is a model one, and expressed hope that other companies will follow this example and develop a similar relationship.
According to the culture minister, training will take place with students in Regions 4(Demerara/Mahaica), 5(Mahaica/Berbice), 6(East Berbice/Corentyne) and 10(Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), and the ministry is happy that so many persons have expressed interest in learning to play the steel pan.
Dr. Anthony noted that they have donated a steel pan to Tagore Memorial Secondary in Region 6, which allows the students there to experience this programme for the first time.
This programme, he pointed out, has also facilitated an increase in the number of school bands participating in the Mashramani Steel Pan competition.
He stated that the ministry is aiming to create other opportunities for children to play the steel pan, and encourages these students to participate in their school bands as well as the Mashramani competition.
LEARNING MUSIC
Dr. Anthony maintained that learning music is very important since it contributes to the positive development of communities, and made particular reference to Venezuela, which has been using music to get into communities and help with positive social development.
According to him, this is what the ministry is aiming for, and there has been a demand for more steel pan workshops in various communities.
He indicated that when the National School of Music was established it was met with much criticism from persons who felt that it would not be able to fulfil its objectives, but they have proven the critics wrong, since they have been advancing over the years.
Dr. Anthony noted that the majority of persons in the National School of Music have been securing passes, and this speaks volumes since they are writing an international examination.
He also informed that there have been an impressive number of persons who have expressed interest in attending the school, since there are more applicants than they can accommodate.
According to him, they may have to look at expanding the school, as they constantly seek to improve it, and he commended the leadership of those persons who have been helping to move the school forward.
Dr. Anthony noted that during the holiday period they also have other activities in all of the administrative regions of Guyana which children can engage in, including museum workshops and specialized sports camps which will see the children playing sports such as cricket, volleyball and table tennis.
He encouraged children to take full advantage of these opportunities, since these activities help to broaden their horizon as well as contribute to their growth and development.
Meanwhile, making remarks on behalf of Republic Bank, Communication and Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Jonelle Dummett said that the bank is pleased to have the opportunity to once again support Guyana’s youths and to help in the sustenance and resurgence of the steel pan art form in Guyana.
She pointed out that for the past five years the bank has also been sponsoring the Panorama Steel Pan competition, and they see the PanStart Pan Minors Literacy programme as a feeder programme for this.
Dummett explained that when these children learn more about the steel pan and they have a love for the instrument and its music, this programme can help them to improve the resources at their schools and also have a greater showing at the Panorama competition.
According to her, they are happy that the participating students have the opportunity to participate in a meaningful activity during their holiday, and wished them all the best.
She also expressed hope that they will take the opportunity to learn as much as they can during the course of the programme, and thanked the ministry for their collaboration with the bank.
He asserted that the relationship between his ministry and Republic Bank is a model one, and expressed hope that other companies will follow this example and develop a similar relationship.
According to the culture minister, training will take place with students in Regions 4(Demerara/Mahaica), 5(Mahaica/Berbice), 6(East Berbice/Corentyne) and 10(Upper Demerara/Upper Berbice), and the ministry is happy that so many persons have expressed interest in learning to play the steel pan.
Dr. Anthony noted that they have donated a steel pan to Tagore Memorial Secondary in Region 6, which allows the students there to experience this programme for the first time.
This programme, he pointed out, has also facilitated an increase in the number of school bands participating in the Mashramani Steel Pan competition.
He stated that the ministry is aiming to create other opportunities for children to play the steel pan, and encourages these students to participate in their school bands as well as the Mashramani competition.
LEARNING MUSIC
Dr. Anthony maintained that learning music is very important since it contributes to the positive development of communities, and made particular reference to Venezuela, which has been using music to get into communities and help with positive social development.
According to him, this is what the ministry is aiming for, and there has been a demand for more steel pan workshops in various communities.
He indicated that when the National School of Music was established it was met with much criticism from persons who felt that it would not be able to fulfil its objectives, but they have proven the critics wrong, since they have been advancing over the years.
Dr. Anthony noted that the majority of persons in the National School of Music have been securing passes, and this speaks volumes since they are writing an international examination.
He also informed that there have been an impressive number of persons who have expressed interest in attending the school, since there are more applicants than they can accommodate.
According to him, they may have to look at expanding the school, as they constantly seek to improve it, and he commended the leadership of those persons who have been helping to move the school forward.
Dr. Anthony noted that during the holiday period they also have other activities in all of the administrative regions of Guyana which children can engage in, including museum workshops and specialized sports camps which will see the children playing sports such as cricket, volleyball and table tennis.
He encouraged children to take full advantage of these opportunities, since these activities help to broaden their horizon as well as contribute to their growth and development.
Meanwhile, making remarks on behalf of Republic Bank, Communication and Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Jonelle Dummett said that the bank is pleased to have the opportunity to once again support Guyana’s youths and to help in the sustenance and resurgence of the steel pan art form in Guyana.
She pointed out that for the past five years the bank has also been sponsoring the Panorama Steel Pan competition, and they see the PanStart Pan Minors Literacy programme as a feeder programme for this.
Dummett explained that when these children learn more about the steel pan and they have a love for the instrument and its music, this programme can help them to improve the resources at their schools and also have a greater showing at the Panorama competition.
According to her, they are happy that the participating students have the opportunity to participate in a meaningful activity during their holiday, and wished them all the best.
She also expressed hope that they will take the opportunity to learn as much as they can during the course of the programme, and thanked the ministry for their collaboration with the bank.
