By Shirley Thomas

THE GUYANA Golden Jubilee Songbook was on Friday launched by Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, at a ceremony held at the National Cultural Centre in Georgetown.

The launching programme opened on a sombre note, with condolences being extended to the bereaved family members of the 17 inmates who perished in Thursday’s fire at the Camp Street Prison.

Those sentiments were expressed by both Minister Henry and Emcee Michella Abraham-Ali. Ms Abraham-Ali, who also observed that the launch was being held on the International Day of Prayer, called for prayers for the survivors nursing injuries and for the agonizing families as well.

The event, which brought together students from all ten administrative regions of Guyana, also had in attendance special guests in the persons of Minister within the Ministry of Finance, Jaipaul Sharma, and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe; Alfred King of the Department of Culure, Youth and Sports; Chief Education Officer Olato Sam, and other senior officials of the Ministry of Education; sponsor Mr. Ron Ramnarayan, President of the Metro Office and Computer Supplies; Mrs. Marilyn Dewar, and others.

An evidently elated Henry said the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Ministry of Education was honoured to present Guyana’s Golden Jubilee National Songbook.

“We are here today to launch a book of 50 songs which capture the very essence of our country, Guyana.” The book, she said, was a small sample of over 100 songs of Guyana which had been selected and compiled by the Ministry of Education and could be used to bring the history and development of our country to the fore. It is intended for use by our children in schools, she explained.

Minister Henry said the songs present a wide range of musical pieces for all seasons; are comprised of simple melodies specially selected for our young people; and can be classified as patriotic or national, historic, religious or folk. Additionally, they give insight into the people who wrote them, and present a vision of Guyana and introduction to our culture, she said.

The songs were written as compositions for entry to the Guyana Music Festival, and were compiled in books of national songs for the biennial musical festivals.

In the Foreword to the book, Minister Henry noted: “Music is one of the pillars of our culture. We sing to tell our stories. We sing to celebrate our history. We sing to inspire generations to come”. She added: “Here, within these pages of this book, are 50 of our National Songs and our National Anthem.”

To the students assembled, the Minister said, “My sincere wish is that your voices, as one or as a group, will revive these lyrics and music of our National Songs with joy, jubilation and pride.”

Published by the Department of Culture, Youth and Sports of the Ministry of Education, the book was scored by Major Colin Robert Burns and Mr. Clifton Paul; edited by Andrea Mentore, BSc., & Marilyn Dewar, M.Ed.; and was sponsored by Metro Office and Computer Supplies. During the ceremony, Metro President Mr. Ron Ramnarayan made a symbolic presentation of the songbook to Minister Henry, who reciprocated with the presentation of a plaque to Ramnarayan.

Minister Henry also presented books to representatives of schools from the ten regions of Guyana.

The programme was spiced with rich steel pan music played by Dolphin Secondary School; the singing of national songs; choral speaking led by Bishops’ High School Choral Speaking Squad; and singing of the Song of the Republic by Region Four Joint School Choir under the baton of Frank Daniels.

The songbook includes selections from R.C.G. Potter; Hilton Hemerding; Olivia Benjamin-Ahyoung; Sister Rose Magdalene; Deryck Bernard; Joyce Ferdinand Lalljie; Valerie Rodway; George W. Noel; Vere T. Daly; WRA Pilgrim; Ovril Patricia Smith, and other celebrated musicians.