THE Ministry of Education’s Unit of Allied Arts, along with the Distance Education Unit (DEU), is hosting its annual Amity School Steelband Festival at the Kingston Seawall Esplanade today (July 5), beginning at 14:00 hrs.
The annual event gives youths within the school system an opportunity to perform and showcase their talents to the public.
According to Senior Education Officer with Responsibility for Music in Schools, Joel Gonsalves, this year’s concert is particularly exciting, as a number of school bands are expected to participate, along with several community bands.

The participating school bands are President’s College, St Stanislaus College, The Bishops’ High School, West Demerara Secondary School, North Ruimveldt Secondary School, Dolphin Secondary School and North Georgetown Primary School, while the community bands are Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra, Kunjaz Youth Steel Orchestra and Panwave Steel Orchestra.
According to Gonsalves, the students have been learning music throughout the academic year, and Amity provides them with an opportunity to showcase what they have learnt.
“It also helps them with skills development, confidence and teamwork, among many other life skills. It gives these young people an opportunity to go out there and make themselves proud. Some of them may have been introverted, but because of music, they’re getting an opportunity to express themselves through the pan,” he said.
Gonsalves said that at this year’s Amity Festival, patrons can expect calypso, patriotic Guyanese music, reggae and a variety of other musical selections.
He described the event as a treat in itself and encouraged Guyanese to attend and see what the performers have to offer this year.
In addition, Gonsalves said that, in observance of World Steel Pan Day on July 11, 2026, the concert will pay tribute to several stalwarts within the Ministry.
The Steelband Festival is free of charge and is expected to begin promptly at 14:00 hrs.