New GPC

The NEW GPC INC in a bid to support the development of culture and arts has sponsored the Panwave Academy Steel Orchestra, which will be participating in the national steel pan competition next month. On Tuesday, the pharmaceutical company gave a cheque to the steel orchestra to offset expenses during the playoff. Handing over the cheque was NEW GPC Marketing Associate Livasti Bhooplall, who noted that the company is committed to youth development. "NEW GPC believes investing in youth development is crucial to the success of our nation," she said, calling on other organisations to support similar initiatives. The Panwave Steel Orchestra offers under privileged children as well as children who attend schools which do not have music programmes an opportunity to become musically literate. It was established in 2001 and was the initiative of a group of young graduates from Queen's College and President's College, along with Mildred Low from the Allied Arts Department of the Education Ministry. The orchestra seeks to provide both practical and theoretical training to youths. According to band manager Andrew Tyndall, the orchestra has trained over 350 students and is continuing to work with various organisations to provide training. Dannika Giddings, a Christ Church Secondary School student, who is currently attending the academy, said it has benefited her greatly since she has always been a lover of music. She noted that a few of her colleagues have been attending the after school sessions, something they greatly enjoy. Jovanka Williams, a past student of the academy, said the orchestra has made a positive impact on her life, noting that it has helped to improve her grades. She is now a music teacher at the Bishop's High School and the North Georgetown Secondary School. In 2008, the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry, through its school steel pan outreach programme, came on board and supported the work of the academy. Tyndall said with "the sponsorship of NEW GPC, there will be plenty of opportunities to enhance the music programme" as he lauded the company for the kind gesture.