The Guyana Police Force (GPF) band out-played Park Side Steel Orchestra and the Ministry of Culture Youth and Sport Steel Orchestra to take first place in the Large Bands category of the Republic Bank sponsored Mash Pan-o-rama Steel Band competition on Sunday.
According to a release from the Government News Agency (GINA), five bands were finalists in the highly anticipated School Bands competition. North Ruimveldt Secondary dominated the category and placed first, while the Bishops’ High was second and Queen’s College third.
category (GINA photo)
Meanwhile, Detroy Dey topped the Junior Soloist category followed by Michael Smith and Akeem Mohamed.
In the Senior Soloist category Ray Sparman secured first, Michael Smith second, and Clayton Daniels and Omari Austin tied for the third position, the release said.
It added that in the Duet category, Clayton Daniels and Ryan Sparman came in first, followed by Javier Marks and Jamal Johnson second, and Akeem Mohamed and Don Johnson third.
St Andrew’s Kirk topped the Church Bands category followed by Central Assembly of God Church.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony were among the music lovers who enjoyed the entertaining sounds of the steel band competition at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
According to GINA, Anthony expressed government’s gratitude to Republic Bank for its ongoing support in fostering and promoting the art form which forms an important part of Guyana’s cultural heritage. He said the competition has been the springboard for a number of initiatives by the ministry to support the art form. The ministry has been working with schools to provide steel bands and music teachers for training of students. This initiative has over time seen more persons getting involved in the art form and more schools participating in the competition. It has also lifted the quality of the music and the skills of those involved, he said.
