–gifts Region 10 $1.5M in musical equipment

MINISTER within the Ministry of Education, Ms Nicolette Henry, last Friday handed over $1.5M worth of musical equipment to Region 10 Chairman, Mr Renis Morian.
The items at reference include keyboards, monitors, mixers, amplifiers and speakers, guitars, a drum set and microphones.

According to a release from the Ministry of Education (MoE), the gesture is part of an on-going government initiative to help develop music education in schools and communities.
Upon receiving the equipment, Morian spoke of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC)’s efforts over the past few years to resuscitate interest in, and support for creative activities in the region.

Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice) has an ongoing programme targeting schools and communities, and the timely donation will go a long way towards supporting this programme.
“For the last five years,” Morian was quoted as saying, “the RDC has been trying to revive arts and culture activities in the region, especially music; hence the request to the ministry for the items.”

Also present at Friday’s handing-over ceremony, was National School of Music Administrator, Mr Andrew Tyndall, who reminded those present that there was a time when Region 10 was a musical hub in Guyana, given that it was the birthplace of many a local and internationally acclaimed performers.
“The government’s thrust is to reintroduce music into the school curriculum, and into the community by extension,” Tyndall said, adding:
“What you see here is the ministry supporting that commitment; so it’s not just talk, but talk with action.”

Activities geared at promoting interest in, and the development of music are also expected to be be done in the other regions in keeping with the government’s mandate to provide an enabling environment and develop every art form possible nationwide.
“As we fan out to different parts of the country, our plan is to ensure that each region benefits,” Tyndall said.

“Some will get the exact, same items, while others will benefit from different sets of musical items such as steelpans, recorders, etc,” he added.
“The MoE also has on-going training programmes for primary school teachers in music. Teachers from all the regions have benefited from, and are continuing to do so, even as some have now begun implementing vocal training in the primary schools. A similar programme will be done for city schools,” the release said.