STEEL Pan Music has become an annual feature for Guyana’s Mashramani celebrations.

There has been competition after competition, and with the advent of technology, persons are incorporating technology into the playing of ‘Pan Music’. Additionally, there has been increased support from the populace for ‘Pan Music’ shows and competitive events.

On Sunday February 17 2019, a mammoth crowd attended Republic Bank‘s panorama event held at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

The event was held in collaboration with the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, as part of this year’s Mashramani celebrations.

Sergeant Sparman of the Guyana Police Force, who is the conductor of both the Guyana Police Force Steel Band as well as the Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra, outlined the importance of pan music to young people, noting its helps with discipline and builds an appreciation for culture through music.

Sergeant Sparman is advocating for steel pan music to be taught at higher levels, more so, as a part of curriculum of courses at the tertiary institutions such as the University of Guyana. He also views the teaching, training and playing of the steel pan as a potential form of employment for youth especially.

Like a number of his fellow musicians, the sergeant is calling for the establishment of community pan bands, which he believes will develop the art form amongst young people.

Guyana‘s rich history can be brought into perspective through pan music. Sergeant Sparman is urging young people to join particularly the Guyana Police Force’s and the Guyana Defence Force’s steel pan bands if so inclined to make something productive of their lives and learn a skill that needs to be preserved.