The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport last week convened a workshop for arrangers of steel-pan music in a bid to improve their musical skills in  adapting music to the various pans of a steel-band.

And Barbados-based Guyanese Derry Atkins was the main facilitator for the exercise, the ministry said in a news release.

At the conclusion of the workshop, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr Frank Anthony invited the participants and other steel-pannists to another interactive session where he sought the pan-men’s suggestions regarding next year’s Mashramani steelband competitions.

Views were aired in relation to the possible categories, early registration, a comprehensive directory of all active steel-bands, the cost of production of pans, and the current state of the art form generally.

Meanwhile, one form of ‘preparation assistance’ mooted was a Grand Christmas Concert of Steelbands and the ministry has indicated that it is “favourably disposed to facilitating the fund-raiser for participating bands,” the release stated.

Funds earned and disbursed, the release added,  must be utilized by the bands to prepare for next year’s Republic celebrations and beyond.

In addition, promotional videos to highlight the challenges, potential and performance of both new and established steelbands are to be produced and special emphasis will be placed on school bands.

The minister also challenged the band leaders and managers present to market their product to specific potential corporate sponsors and gave assurance of his support.

In the meantime, the ministry’s Steelband Development Coordinator Andrew Tyndall has been mandated to liaise on an ongoing basis with the country’s steelbands and players.

The release also noted that the consistent generosity of Republic Bank with respect to the Mashramani Steelband Competition was acknowledged by the meeting.