Culture Minister launches Community Music School

Source: LoopTT

Published on April 20, 2017

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts launched the 6th Semester of the Music Schools in the Community on April 18.

According to a release from the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, the theme for this year’s initiative is “Changing Lives through Music Education”. 

The aim of the programme is to provide music education opportunities to community organisations, children’s homes, youth correctional institutions, police youth clubs, steelbands and schools throughout Trinidad and Tobago.

The 2017 edition of the programme will entail a 12-week semester comprising of 84 contact hours from April 18 to July 8, 2017 and is free to the public. 

Classes will be conducted at five locations namely the Potential Symphony Steel Orchestra in Barataria; Amarjyoth Sabha Mandir in Cunupia; Golden Hands in San Fernando; Pan Jammers in Santa Cruz and Sangre Grande Cordettes in Sangre Grande.

This illustrious programme boasts of an Artist-in-Residence component featuring music and cultural icons Roy Cape and Leston Paul. This integral component will significantly benefit participants because they will have the opportunity to interact with two iconic musicians who will share their experiences in the music industry and offer advice on various aspects of musicianship and instrument performance.

Present at the launch of the event was Culture Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, along with participants, tutors and Ministry representatives.

The programme, which is free to the public, is focused on teaching, developing and enhancing instrument performance skills, theoretical knowledge and character development training while providing opportunities for participants to increase their personal, socially-useful and even commercially viable talent.

Participants will be given the opportunity to learn to play several instruments including the steelpan, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tabla, clarinet, guitar, harmonium and the violin. 

Beginners and intermediate musicians interested in this programme can contact the Culture Division at 225-4362 or 225-4023.