THE only type of music usually heard on the radio and TV is American music of the peripheral kind and Bollywood Indian music of the same level. The Classical and semi-Classical music of both traditions are rarely ever heard and many young people do not even know of their existence. This is clearly manifested in the fact that it is impossible to buy a violin, piano, or even harmonium in any local store. This situation of an almost vanished musical culture could be contrasted with the sparkling and vibrant musical culture which pervaded Guyana three or four decades ago:
The radio presented regular programmes of classical music and the Militia Band and the Police Band gave regular public concerts in Georgetown and New Amsterdam. At these concerts, marches, waltzes and polkas by such composers as the Straus family, Delibes and so on were presented and they always ended with one or two Guyanese folk songs. The churches still had their organists and organs and in the mandirs, enthusiastic kirtan groups would sing the classical bhajans such as Rajrani Mira’s repertoire. On the weekends, regular concerts by such performers as Lynette Dolphin, Lynette Katchay, Rosemary Ramdeholl and the Loncke family were offered at Georgetown and New Amsterdam Town Halls. Many young Guyanese had their first exposure to Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin and others at these concerts.
There was always a stream of world-famed artistes, who, when visiting South America, would have Guyana as part of their itinerary. Guyanese were thus able to see the greatest violinists, pianists, singers and even ballerinas who performed in the metropolitan cities only.
The musical education in the country was lively. Most schools had music teachers who mainly taught singing and in the secondary schools, they usually had musical instruments and more formal music instruction. A fairly large number of students studied for the Royal College of Music examinations to the extent where, every year, one of the senior professors of the School would visit Guyana to conduct the higher-level examinations. These visiting professors often gave recitals. The Indian Cultural Centre, later the Vivekanand Cultural Centre, kept the Indian classical tradition alive with its Ragas. There were several private music teachers in most communities who accommodated children of well-to-do parents.
Many shops stocked musical instruments, especially violins and pianos, as well as parts to repair such instruments. There were several very able piano tuners in the country. Today, there are no piano tuners or expert instrument repairers.
A few persons, assuming the role of devil’s advocate, may question the desirability of expending so much time, expense and effort in reviving a country’s musical culture. From the times of primitive Man, music was known to be something that enriched the quality of life and later on, there grew up an entire philosophy of it. For example, it is used to raise morale as in military music; it is used in work situations to make work lighter or more productive; it is used to bring enjoyment and festivity to life; it is used to eliminate anxieties and tension; it is used to help in spiritual development.
In rebuilding Guyana’s musical culture, many efforts must be made simultaneously,so that it could be accomplished in three to four years. For example, recreating music education could be achieved in three to four years, inclusive of the training of music teachers and the returning to study programmes and examinations of the Royal School of Music; other tasks such as organising music festivals; identifying suitable concert venues; getting the electronic media such as radio and TV to broadcast more classical music; the shops again beginning to stock musical instruments or inviting world-famous artistes to again visit Guyana, being induced to come by the two Steinway pianos which the country now possesses and the new, attractive image of a democratic oil-producing country. Using the computer in its multifarious guises would strengthen the other efforts and ensure the quick rebuilding of the country’s musical culture.
