Rush to learn music in panyards

The Music Schools in the Panyard Programme began with a bang on Monday with citizens of all creeds, races and ages converging at the designated panyards to grasp the opportunity of learning to play a musical instrument. The programme, which was developed by the Culture Division of the Ministry of the Arts and Multiculturalism, is making good use of the established network of panyards across the country to offer community residents training in both the practical and theoretical aspects of music.

“We had over 55 people coming in to join on Monday,” said Shivon Bourne, venue co-ordinator for the programme at the Exodus Panyard. “Even the senior folks, way into their 60s, are coming in and expressing happiness for the chance to fulfill their dream of learning to play a musical instrument,” he added.

Peter Aleong, pan tutor at the Exodus Music School in the panyard venue, expressed his enthusiasm for the Government initiative. He added: “The programme is a tremendous effort in terms of empowering citizens. The young students I have encountered so far are very excited and are eager to see what is going to be offered over the next few months.

“Many of the older people in Malick and Barataria always wanted to play an instrument but didn’t know where to start, now they have this chance,” said Winston Parris, member of the Potential Symphony Orchestra for over 25 years. He said the programme was giving the youths of the area an avenue to express their energies and keep them busy and occupied with a positive activity.

The programme offers instruction in the theory of music, basic music sight-reading and 112 contact hours toward the playing of the steelpan, guitar, saxophone, trumpet, trombone and clarinet. The venues are Casablanca Pan Theatre (Northern Region), Republic Bank Exodus, Sangre Grande Cordettes and Potential Symphony Pan Theatres (Eastern Region), Couva Joylanders (Central Region) and Junior Sammy Group Sammy Skiffle (Southern Region). All citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are invited to participate in this personal and nation-building programme that is being offered for free.