Steel Pan Sounds of Unity Ring Out at Amity 2026 Concert
Written by EDYOU FM Staff on July 9, 2026
The Kingston Seawall Esplanade came alive on Sunday evening as the unmistakable rhythms of the steel pan echoed across the waterfront during the Amity School Steelband Concert 2026, a vibrant celebration of music, youth talent and national pride held under the theme, Diamond Jubilee Rhythms: Celebrating Guyana at 60.
Now in its 30th year since its inception in 1996, the annual festival continues to showcase the country’s growing musical talent while reinforcing the steel pan’s place as an enduring symbol of culture and unity. Following a hiatus between 2020 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the festival returned in 2023 and has continued to grow from strength to strength.
Ten school and community steel orchestras captivated the audience with polished performances, including the North Georgetown Primary Steelband Orchestra, The Bishops’ High School Steelband, West Demerara Secondary School Steelband, St. Stanislaus College Steel Orchestra, Dolphin Secondary Steelband, President’s College Steel Orchestra, North Ruimveldt Secondary School Steelband, Buxton Pride Steel Orchestra, The New Panwave Project and Kunjaz Youth Steel Orchestra. Also in attendance was reigning 2026 Female Dancehall Monarch, Ernesta “Nesta” Nelson.
Senior Education Officer for Music, Joel Gonsalves
Delivering the feature address, Senior Education Officer for Music Joel Gonsalves described the concert as a true reflection of its name’s meaning.
“The word Amity means friendship, harmony and goodwill. This concert embodies that spirit, bringing together young musicians from across Guyana to share in the spirit of steel pan music,” he said.
Gonsalves noted that the steel pan has evolved beyond being simply a musical instrument, describing it as “a symbol of unity, creativity and resilience.” He also highlighted its remarkable versatility, noting that it is capable of performing everything from classical and jazz to reggae, calypso and contemporary music.
He revealed that seven of Guyana’s 23 active school steel bands, along with three community bands comprised entirely of school-aged players, participated in this year’s concert. The Ministry of Education, he added, continues to expand access to music education, recently delivering a new steel band to Woodley Park Secondary School in Region Five, while preparations are underway to provide instruments to St. Ignatius Secondary School in Region Nine.
Among the evening’s most celebrated moments was the return of the North Georgetown Primary School Steel Orchestra after a six-year absence, a comeback Gonsalves described as a powerful example of resilience and community partnership.
Chief Planning Officer at the Ministry of Education, Mischka White-Griffith, challenged Guyanese to see music not simply as a hobby, but as a viable career path for the nation’s youth.
Chief Planning Officer at the Ministry of Education, Mischka White-Griffith
“Today we are celebrating our students, but more importantly, we’re celebrating the future of Guyana’s talent,” she said.
White-Griffith explained that the Ministry is strengthening music education by teaching students not only to perform, but also to read, write and compose music. She added that the long-term goal is to build a thriving local music industry where young musicians can earn an income from their craft while inspiring greater public support for homegrown talent.
Assistant Chief Education Officer for Allied Arts, Nicolas Fraser
Closing the programme, Assistant Chief Education Officer for Allied Arts Nicolas Fraser praised the dedication of those who have contributed to the development of the arts over the years and expressed hope that the festival will continue to expand.
He envisioned a future where Amity grows into an international event, welcoming school steel orchestras from across the region and beyond to Guyana, further strengthening cultural exchange through the universal language of music.
