Local group takes music to the streets

While their music may not be the stuff of world tours, the rotating band of artists that dropped by our studios this afternoon believes that their work can still have a major impact right here at home. News Five’s Kendra Griffith has the story.

Robert Sampson, Bass, Singers and Players of Instruments
“Music is the universal language ah the whole universe, with that I could conquer anything.”

Kendra Griffith, Reporting
And what the group, Singers and Players of Instruments, wants to conquer is crime and violence. Their tactic is to hold weekly concerts in Belize’s crime-prone neighbourhoods. Emerson Guild is the organisation’s President.

Kendra Griffith
“How does one fight crime with music?”

Emerson Guild, President, Singers and Players of Instruments
“Just get out there and play music inna di same time and space where crime are happening. Make it loud enough that everybody hears it.”

Kendra Griffith
“And so you all are banking on people being out there and not out committing crimes?”

Emerson Guild
“Well I am sure because the music is so nice that the people begin to listen and the lyrics are special also. Some of the songs are originally written for the concept that we are sharing.”

Berne Velasquez, Musician
“We are greatly influenced by music and when we are playing, feeding our nation and lot of negative music, then you see negative results from our youths especially that listen to these music.”

Guild says the musicians who perform in the shows have been doing so without payment and simply for the cause.

Emerson Guild
“The Singers and Players of Instruments is taking responsibility to make the show happen and whatever it costs we have been paying it so far, but we do need sponsors to come up. We love you Belize and that’s why we do it, for the love of music and for the love of self, for the love of God.”

Robert Sampson
“And we want you all to come out every Friday that we’re doing this because we are doing this for the youths.”

Emerson Guild
“This weekend’s concert is at the B.T.L. Park and we will be there from six o’clock until midnight.””

Artists interested in performing at the concerts can contact Guild at 222-4445. Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.

Guild says the group has been in existence for sixteen years. They have a current membership of twenty-nine.