REPUBLIC Bank(Guyana)Limited continues to keep steel pan alive in Guyana and on Wednesday donated $2.8M to the Education Ministry in support of the National Steel Band Competition.Taking the name of its sponsor, the National Republic Bank Pan-O-Rama Competition 2017 has created much anticipation among participants, who eagerly await this time of the year to engage in the art.

Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry, thanked the bank for its continued support for the event.

“We welcome this sponsorship for yet another year, which we have come to always look forward to as a positive, tangible, continued partnership from corporate citizens like Republic Bank.”

National School of Music Administrator, Andrew Tyndall, also commended the continued partnership support.

“This partnership with the bank has led to the expansion of the art form in schools and the community over the years. It also provides a solid foundation for the continued and sustainable development of the art form,” Tyndall noted.

The Republic Bank Mashramani Pan-O-Rama Competition is slated for Saturday, February 18 and Sunday, February 19 at the Theater Guild Playhouse and the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

On the first day, the National Pan Jazz / Pan Duets and pan solos will see heated competition among 24 competitors starting from 18:00 hrs, while day two of the competition will feature 17 large and small schools bands.

Tyndall is encouraging pan music lovers to come out and witness the “heated” Mashramani competitions that would showcase the continued progressive development of the pan art form in Guyana.
Meanwhile, Republic Bank Managing Director, Richard Sammy,in handing over the cheque, said his company remains committed to the development of the art form as it engages youth and culture which serve as the bedrock of any society.
“This amount represents sponsorship of cash prizes for the Republic Bank Panorama Steel Band Competition that spans our 10 years of continued commitment to honouring our corporate social responsibilities that contributes to the molding of the nation’s future tangibly,” Sammy said.