CONTINUING in its effort to develop and sustain steel pan development in Guyana, the Ministry of the Presidency’s Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport, on Tuesday, received a $1.2M cheque from Republic Bank Limited (RBL).
It is intended to support the 10th Republic Bank ‘Right Start’ Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme. Launched since 2009, the annual competition aims to celebrate the creative expressions of the steel pan. Through the resuscitation of the art form in 2010, approximately 1,180 students have benefited from the Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme.

In brief remarks, Minister of Social Cohesion, Hon. Dr. George Norton commended Republic Bank Limited for its continued support, noting that the once dying art form has grown, and interest has been revived through such support. He declared that several secondary schools across the country will soon be introduced to the steel pan. These include Tutorial High School, Bartica Secondary School, Bladen Hall and Patentia Secondary Schools.

Jonelle Dummett, Assistant Communications and Public Relations Officer of RBL, said that the company is pleased to continue to invest in youth development and the development of the art form. “This programme does not only allow school children to play the steel pan but to have an appreciation for steel pan music, to develop their playing skills of the instrument,” she said. Dummett noted that this workshop has also assisted in building and expanding the involvement of participants for the annual Pan-o-Rama Steel Band competition. Over the years, RBL has been a key partner in the resuscitation of steelpan music, investing approximately $30M in the development and maintenance of this art form in Guyana. (DPI)