THE Mashramani 2015 Steel Pan Competition kicks off on February 7, and promises a riot of exciting sounds and innovations that signal a renaissance of this once dying art form.Speaking at a press briefing on Friday last, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister (MCYS) Dr. Frank Anthony disclosed that things were going downhill for steel pan music in Guyana, but many efforts have been made since 2006 to inject new life into this art form.

Minister Anthony noted that, over the years, only a few bands had been participating in the Steel Pan Competition, but, for this year, a number of bands have come on board to vie for the winning title. He noted that this increase in the number of participating bands came as a result of the number of resuscitative programmes which the MCYS had set up over the past year or so.

“Some of the efforts to resuscitate steel pan in Guyana included hiring teachers to go to schools and train students the art. Also, by donating several steel pans to various schools across the nation, and so forth, (the art form has been revived)”.

Minister Anthony said the Steel Pan Competition has two categories: the regular category and the schools category.
SCHOOLS CATEGORY
He disclosed that the schools category, which would be run off on February 7, would be split into two parts — the small segment and the large segment. Additionally, a total of 12 bands would be contesting for the winning title at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
REGULAR CATEGORY
The regular category, he said, would be staged on February 8 and would include the solo, duet and normal segments. A total of six bands and many solo players will be competing at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall in this category.

Several steel pan concerts would add to the renaissance of this art form. One is to be held in Berbice on January 25, and would be followed by ones on February 14 and 15 in Linden and Parika respectively.

Administrator of the National School of Music, Mr Andrew Tyndall, has said that the concerts will be held to raise funds in order to develop new bands and to continue the renaissance programmes of steel pan renditions.