BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – AS the Fife, Banjo, Quatro and Guitar Workshop rolls on, it has already been deemed a success and, according to ‘Doctor of Culture’ Winston ‘Zack’ Nisbett, “the children are learning”.
SKNVibes visited the workshop today (Aug. 17) and spoke with some of the students who have all expressed the view that the workshop has been very helpful to them and that they are learning a lot.
So far, they have learnt to play songs such as ‘When the saints go marching in’, ‘Mary had a little lamb’, ‘Across the bridge’, and ‘Where have all the flowers gone’.
One student who started the workshop yesterday (Aug. 16) said that she is finding it to be very useful in expanding her knowledge of the guitar.
She explained that even though she already knew the basics, the vast amount of information that has been passed on to her in the short time that she has been at the workshop, has been very helpful.
Another student, on vacation from New York, Christopher Richards has expressed that he looks forward to being at the workshop daily as he has learnt a lot and he has fun every day.
He recounted Carlton Duponte speaking to them [students] about music and life. He recalled one thing that was said that has stuck with him which was to “live a life of simplicity”.
Speaking with Zack, he expressed that everything is going well.
“So far the workshop has been going great. It is very encouraging because even the girls have been participating and their response has been overwhelming because they are learning,” he said.
He further stated that teaching them to play the instruments gives them a sense of pride, joy and self motivation. He said that too often the young minds get involved in things that are of no importance or significance and having them at such a workshop is beneficial as they are on a path to cultural excellence.
Tomorrow (Aug. 18), Zack will be having Franklin ‘Weatherman’ Dorsette, Superintendant at the Prison, speak to the students about life in prison, and why it is important to stay away from a life of crime.
Zack explained that he felt it necessary to have Weatherman speak to the children as his words would encourage them to stick to positive things rather than negative.
“It will be good for the children, the community,” he said.
At the end of the workshop, which is expected to be on August 27, a closing ceremony will be held where the children will be showing off what they learnt to their parents and other persons in attendance. They will also be presented with certificates of participation.
