Chippie recently sponsored Dows Musical Foundation to assist with the monthly rental expense of the current location the foundation holds on the A. Th. Illidge Road. The foundation currently uses this location to teach approximately 80 students to play the traditional musical instrument called the steel pan. Foundation president, Mr. Isidore York has been teaching children and adults for many years and stated that it has become increasingly difficult to obtain support from various partners in the community to continue doing so. In the past we would be able to teach at certain schools, which would make a big difference in the expenses of the foundation. This also made it easier for the students at these schools who want to learn to play, to learn more about this musical instrument. The classes would take place at their own school or closer to home so students would have something to do after school and .
'The steel pan music and is an important part of Caribbean heritage that needs to be preserved and passed on to younger generations as an artform.' says UTS Marketing and Communications Officer, Ivy Lambert. 'In supporting the foundation financially, we are trying to make sure that this happens. We hope that other stakeholders in the community will also seek to support Mr. York in his efforts to teach young and old to play the pan.' 'Most of my students are children and young adults, but anyone can learn to play the steel pan. I try to encourage anyone that is interested to give it a try. A new student can learn to play something fairly quickly.' Dows Musical Foundation currently teaches approximately 80 students to play steel pan music.
In picture: UTS Marketing and Communications Officer, Ivy Lambert, presents Dows Musical Foundation President, Mr. Isidore York, with a check donation towards the foundations' expenses while surrounded by a few of the foundations young students playing the steel pan.