The Department of Culture recently donated musical instruments valued at over $6,000 to the Thelma Lightbourne Primary School in Long Bay, Providenciales.
Ludwina Fulford, Director of Culture was on hand to make the donation.
The donation included drums, a keyboard, tambourines, and a guitar. Fulford said the donation should not only boost the school’s performing arts programme but make the school less dependent on members of the community from whom they normally borrowed musical instruments for practicing and performing.
“What we found was happening was that the school was borrowing instruments from the people in the community, so we decided that we would partner with the school and donate a set of instruments that they can have and for their own,” Fulford told Newsline.
For her part, Robin Cox Foster, Principal at the school said both the staff and students were elated at the gesture by the Culture Department, noting that the gift would do a world of good for the children.
“I am elated to have partnered with the Department of Culture. They have been partnering with us over the past two months, and all the time we called upon them they are always there, willing, and able to assist us.
“In addition to that, whenever they call on us for performances, we are always willing to render a selection for them,” Cox said, pointing out at the school has a very vibrant performing arts squad.
“Our performing arts group is very active…we are always ready for performances like these,” she said.
During the event, the school children put on a performance for the culture department representatives.
“I know the students would benefit tremendously from the donations, simply because not all of our students are academically inclined …they have skills, and we want to hone those skills, so they can find their rightful place in society,” Cox-Foster said.
“We would like to use these instruments, so that even our babies can find their passion from very young. They may not necessarily be able to play a guitar but may be able to play a piano or they may be able to beat a drum…different types of drums,” he said.