Arrival of pianos provides significant upgrade to national inventory

Jun 23, 2016 News

In an effort to upgrade the inventory of musical instruments at the National School of Music, and to afford students access to a high quality of instruments, the Government in 2015 took a decision to purchase two Steinway &

Minister Nicolette Henry (third from left) and members of the Guyana Music School with one of the newly acquired pianos.

Sons pianos – one grand and an upright. The pianos recently arrived in Guyana, and were presented on Monday to Minister within the Ministry of Education, Nicolette Henry.

The Steinway Model ‘D’ Concert Grand piano is to be used for public and national events at the National Cultural Centre, while the Steinway ‘K52’ Upright Piano will be used at the National School of Music for classical piano classes.
In her remarks, Minister Henry recognized that while the presentation ceremony was simple it was symbolic.
“This is in keeping with President Granger’s vision of ensuring that Guyana becomes a land of many opportunities.”
While reflecting on her first days of being a Minister of Government, Henry mentioned that the Ministry did not have a functioning concert piano.
“This was a serious shortcoming on the part of the Ministry,” she highlighted. The Minister pointed out that once she found the absence of any tool or equipment which is needed to get work done, she worked towards ensuring that those items were provided.
The existence of these pianos in Guyana will allow music students to access classical piano music in their homeland instead of having to travel overseas for such.
Minister Henry urged that the pianos be well cared for and their use maximized.
Administrator of the National School of Music, Andrew Tyndall, noted that in 2009, Dr. Ray Luck, the world-renowned Guyanese pianist and educator, hosted a piano pedagogy for advanced classical piano students and music teachers. He had also agreed to give a free piano recital to the general public at the end of each workshop, however the poor quality of the piano at the National Cultural Centre and the unavailability of an upright piano owned by the government, forced Dr. Luck to discontinue the series of workshops. He then relocated to St. Lucia. This now meant that Guyanese students were required to pay an additional cost to attend these valuable sessions in St. Lucia.
Mr. Tyndall emphasized that the existence of the new piano will allow for the resuscitation of the piano master class sessions. He added that the pianos arrived at the right time, because the music school is now in a position to become the examination centre for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music practical examinations. It will also allow for the reintroduction of the Ray Luck Piano Master Class and Pedagogy Workshops.

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