–as RDC moves to transform facility into state-of-the-art music school
THE Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region 10, will be turning the Linden Concert Hall and School, popularly known as Lichas Hall, into a modern-day music academy.
RDC Chairman Deron Adams told the Guyana Chronicle, on Monday, that the rehabilitation and reformation of the Hall is intended to bring new life to theatre arts, music and other genres of arts in the mining town of Linden.
“What we are trying to do is have the Lichas Hall set up in such a way as to facilitate a music academy. We want young people to come there and be able to engage in music and cultural activities,” Adams said, adding that he is optimistic that the establishment of such an academy in the Upper Demerara-Berbice region will create a safe space for both young and old creatives to perform, learn and perfect their craft.
He said that the proposed facility will also provide young musicians in the region with an opportunity to pursue a career in music.
“I believe that by doing this, even at the level of high school, it opens opportunities for them to begin to get employment. And so we are going to be focusing heavily on the arts; the talents and the culture here in the region,” the RDC Chairman said.
He disclosed that while some rehabilitation works have already been done on the building, the Council will be reaching out to sponsors and the government for additional funding to spearhead this particular project the region has in mind.
“We are looking to get the funding; we are hoping that the government will help us in completing that project,” Adams said, adding: “We are also looking to have all the instruments that are in a ‘string band’ come in, and we are going to have volunteers to train students who want to get into music here in the region.”
Thanks to some major works being done on the building last May, Adams said Lichas now boasts new cushion-covered seats, modern lighting, a new ceiling, freshly-painted floors and walls, new fans, and four air conditioning units.
At the time of doing the interview, Adams could not say definitively when the academy will be established, as there are still a few loose ends to be tidied up. What he did say, however, is that once those loose ends at reference would have been addressed, and the budget approved, a date will be announced as to when Lindeners can look forward to having a music academy of their very own.
He also explained that after students would have completed their training at the academy, the Council will be reaching out to various stakeholders to provide sponsorship for them as budding musicians.
“Once they learn to play an instrument, then we want to engage places like the Watooka Guest House to sponsor students from the school,” he said. “And I believe from then, when we get COVID under control, we can make representation for these same musicians to go and play on cruises and so forth,” he added.
