Young Music Enthusiasts Enhance Their Love For The Steel Pan

Young Music Enthusiasts Enhance Their Love For The Steel Pan At The Republic Bank Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme 2019

Ninety-two youths were excited participants at the tenth annual Republic Bank Pan Minors Music Literacy Programme. The camps were held in Region 4 and the students benefitted from both theoretical and practical training in the steel pan art form.

The programme ran from July 15 - 31, 2019 and comprised five camps where the focus was on providing introductory skills to players from selected school bands. Having completed the programme, participants are now able to:

• Read simple pieces from a single staff
• Play beginner level pieces
• Play scales with key signature of up to 2 sharps or flats
• Place chords to simple melodies

A special Graduation Ceremony was held on Wednesday, July 31, 2019 at 15:30h at the Umana Yana, Kingston, Georgetown where participants received their certificates and provided entertainment.

The Feature Address was delivered by the Honourable Dr. George Norton, Minister of Social Cohesion with responsibility for Cultue, Youth and Sport, while the programme overview was delivered by Mr. Javier Marks, Steel Band Coordinator of the National School of Music.

This Programme, a collaboration between Republic Bank and the Department of Social Cohesion, Culture, Youth and Sport was first introduced to Guyana in 2010 as part of the Bank’s ‘Power to Make a Difference’ Social Investment initiative.

Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited continues to play a major role in the promotion and development of the steel pan artform in Guyana.