Above: the new National School of Music (Photo: GINA)

Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo unveiled the National School of Music, aimed at improving music education in the country.

“We think through this school and its outreach programmes, we can involve people who never had a chance to study music formally and to be trained to be part of this cultural resonance that we are having in Guyana,” Jagdeo said.

The project was funded by access from the Ministry of Health, and is intended as the country’s premier institution for music education.

“While we continue to encourage all efforts to enhance the wide spread of music education in Guyana, we believe that this time has come for a dedicated music school,” said Dr Frank Anthony, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport.

Jagdeo pointed to Rudolph Dunbar, a Guyanese man who was the first man of African descent to conduct the London symphony.