I was in Cocoa, Florida, this week and when asked of my “accent” the man proceeded to tell me about Trinidad. That his son who is “white as powder” is in the Cocoa High School steel band.
That they are constantly practicing and getting real good.
I started to inquire about other schools in Florida and, lo and behold, more schools have pan as part of their music.
I was so shocked and embarrassed for myself first and then my country. Year after year I see the struggle to introduce music into our schools. Year after year the detractors win.
It is time to get our musical instruments in schools, including Indian instruments, because surely that will be brought up.
Suggestion for Education Minister: Why not have orchestras for multidisciplines? Let all our kids learn to play everything.
Music is good for young expanding and growing minds and brains.
Enough of the excuses. Let the local steel bands/orchestras, who get tons of money from Government, donate instruments to the schools. Let their professionals donate time to go and teach.
In fact, make it compulsory of all recipients of Government money to give back to the community from which they hail.
Wazir Mohammed