Guyana Chronicle Online
The Mashramani 2015 Steel Pan Competition kicks off on February 7, and promises a riot of exciting sounds and innovations that signal a renaissance of this once dying art form.Speaking at a press briefing on Friday last, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister (MCYS) Dr. Frank Anthony disclosed that things were going downhill for steel pan music in Guyana, but many efforts have been made since 2006 to inject new life into this art form.
Minister Anthony noted that, over the years, only a few bands had been participating in the Steel Pan Competition, but, for this year, a number of bands have come on board to vie for the winning title. He noted that this increase in the number of participating bands came as a result of the number of resuscitative programmes which the MCYS had set up over the past year or so.
“Some of the efforts to resuscitate steel pan in Guyana included hiring teachers to go to schools and train students the art. Also, by donating several steel pans to various schools across the nation, and so forth, (the art form has been revived)”.
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