THE Amity Schools Steelband Festival, organised by the Ministry of Education’s Unit of Allied Arts, is back again with some of the best school bands across the country coming together this Sunday to perform for the public at the Seawall Esplanade in Kingston.

Across Guyana, there are currently 18 steelpan bands and, each year, the Botanical Gardens would be the venue of choice for a concert. This year though, organisers have changed the location to allow for a smoother and more enjoyable show.

For one thing, the seawall area attracts a lot of people and also in the event of some wet weather; it wouldn’t affect the proceedings as much.

“It will also allow for a more interactive setting where you can go and sit with the bands or stand around to see them play. While they will be on a main stage, there are times when you will get an opportunity to interact with them,” Joel Gonsalves, Education Officer – Music, shared with Buzz this week.

An exciting afternoon is expected with performances from the reigning champions Berbice High School, along with bands from President’s College, Dolphin Secondary, North Ruimveldt Secondary, Queen’s College, The Bishops’ High, St. Roses High and West Demerara Secondary.

“These schools will be entertaining the public free of cost. It is a variety of music. Some of them will go old school; there will be a lot of patriotic songs and we will lead all the way up to present day. We will see steel pan in action and I want to see the youths in action,” Gonsalves expressed.

President’s College will be opening the show with a bang, going completely retro. The show will begin at 14:00 hours and go up to 18:00 hours, thus allowing adequate time for each band’s performance.

According to the Ministry of Education, the art form of steelpan playing has its origin in the Caribbean. “History has shown that it is the only musical instrument invented in the early nineteenth century. Studies have shown that music education at an early age greatly increases the likelihood that a child will grow up to seek higher education. In addition, students who had an exposure to music made better team players in the workforce,” the ministry said.

“The relationship between music education and better performance in life is not accidental. If we want to continue as a creative society, finding solutions to the ever-changing world, we need to expose our children to the arts. Music will help to shape our culture and it is the great equalizer among people of different racial, social and economic backgrounds,” it added.