New music centre opened at Wesley College
Music: can you imagine what life would be without it? Neither can I, but despite its vital importance, we in Belize have done precious little to formally advance the art. That situation, however, may be changing.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
The staff and students of Wesley College took time out from their regular classes to celebrate the opening of the school?s music education centre, a first of its kind for Belize.
Minister of National Development, Investment and Culture and Albert area representative Mark Espat called the occasion another significant milestone for the one hundred and twenty-four year old learning institution. The building, which housed practice rooms and a performance hall, will not only benefit the students but musicians from across the country who will have access to a recording studio.
Area Representative Mark Espat, Minister, National Development and Investment/Culture
?With this centre we blow the opening whistle, with this centre the bugle is sounding, we are just starting the race to musical greatness. This centre is an instrument just like a drum or a guitar or a saxophone or a piano.?
?All of this together is an instrument awaiting the creativity and the talent of current and future Belizean musicians. All of this is an instrument waiting for the voices, the lips, the fingers and the hands of our artists.?
The centre, an investment of almost half a million dollars when fully equipped, was funded by NICH and the Government of Belize, through a close working relationship with the Wesley College administration, the Albert Action Committee and individual contributors. Espat says the goal is to make the facility a magnet for community music education.
Mark Espat
?We expect to hosts visiting music educators and retain fulltime music instructors in the evenings and on weekends, so that students from other schools and members of the public at large, who have interest in whatever discipline of music, can pursue their musical dreams.?
Brenda Armstrong, Principal, Wesley College
?Our institution has successfully collaborated in yet another initiative that celebrates a partnership. The partnership of church, state and community and that is the hallmark of our education system here in Belize. And so we are happy to be a part of that today, and yes, anticipation. We cannot wait to share in the delivery of these programmes.?
The initial classes that will be offered at the centre include steel pan and guitar lessons.
Present at today?s ceremony was Governor General Sir Colville Young, who has worked tirelessly to encourage music programmes in schools across the country.
