Guyanese women have years ago been instrumental in developing classical music locally. Through these passionate women, who have become cultural icons, the Guyana Music Teachers’ Association was founded.
Although there were males who played a significant part in the association, the women were the backbone of the association, and built it to what it is today. One such person is the late Lynette Dolphin. She was a musician and an academic teacher who worked with the government for 60 years. She was the first secretary of the association and its president for many years. Dolphin was also the organiser of the Schools’ Music Festival in 1942, and one of the organisers of the Competitive Music Festivals from 1952.
As a chairman of the Department of Culture for more than 25 years, she had a strong influence on the progress of music in the country. She compiled six books of songs for use in schools: “One Hundred Folk Songs of Guyana” the most notable one. The musician had served since 1965 as the local representative of the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, London. She was awarded the Order of Roraima in 1986.
Another notable woman, Mildred Lowe, still a passionate musician who migrated to the U.S., graduated from Caldwell College in New Jersey and has taught music since 1971. Her contribution to the association had been in the form of conducting workshops in theory, voice and piano. She also was involved in several events, both national and international, and led the Guyana delegations to Carifesta in 1992 and 1995. Lowe was awarded the Golden Arrow of Achievement in 1996.
Of note too is Marilyn Dewar who continues to be an avid member of the association. She has always played a vital role as secretary of the association. Dewar is responsible for the monthly meetings and the various activities which the association hosts from time to time. She has her own music school and, in addition, is the organist and choir director of Christ Church, and the accompanist of the Woodside Choir.
The association’s founding president, Eleanor Kerry, was also active in music in Guyana. Over a span of almost 50 years she remained involved in all the activities of the association. When, in 1959, she was awarded the M.B.E. (Member of the Order of the British Empire) all the musicians of Guyana rejoiced with her. Sadly, she passed away in 1997.
Valerie Rodway (1919-1970) was another noteworthy teacher and composer who contributed largely to music in Guyana. She is best known for her national songs, “O Beautiful Guyana,” “Kanaïma,” “Hymn for Guyana’s Children,” “Arise, Guyana” and “Guyana the Free”. She also put to music the famed Guyanese independence poem by Martin Carter, “Let Freedom Awaken.” She was awarded the Cacique Crown of Honour, and the Guyana Folk Festival Committee bestowed upon her a Wordsworth McAndrew Award for her unselfish service to the development of Guyanese culture.
The Guyana Music Teachers’ Association was formed out of a need to ensure that music teachers in this country had access to the most up-to-date information regarding music teaching. At the inaugural meeting held on April 7, 1948, at the 186 Waterloo Street, Georgetown home of the late Lynette Dolphin, the-then elected president Eleanor Kerry, spoke about the need for a Music Teachers’ Association and the benefits to be gained from the existence of such an organisation.
From that meeting, the aims of the association were to enlarge and improve the knowledge of music of its members and to stimulate their interest in every branch of musical development; to promote discussion on matters of interest to music teachers, and to make united representation in any matter affecting the teaching of music in this country; to keep abreast of current musical events and modern methods of teaching; and to undertake any other activity for the betterment of the association.
Its objective was to gain access to the most up-to-date and relevant information regarding the teaching of music, instrumental and vocal, for individuals and for schools, especially as it related to the world-wide examinations of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, which had been established in British Guiana since 1925, and the Trinity College of Music, a similar examining institution. As well as teachers with experience of examinations, there were others with no experience in the correct interpretation of the examination syllabus.
Besides the sharing of knowledge among its members, the association provided a forum where visiting musicians could present workshops, discussions and performances to the local teachers and their senior pupils. In addition, there were illustrated lectures by qualified local musicians, as well as gramophone concerts and film shows. With the introduction of the annual ‘Members’ Night’ every member was required to contribute an item to the programme, thus ensuring that every teacher was featured as a performer at least once in each year. These meetings revealed some hidden talent and provided a great deal of enjoyment to the members.
In December, 1950, the association was registered as a Specially Authorised Society under the Friendly Societies Ordinance. After independence in 1966, the registration was amended to The Guyana Music Teachers’ Association. The association not only promoted and sponsored local concerts but also collaborated with embassies and high commissions in bringing celebrated international performers to Guyana. Many of these performers generously held workshops for local musicians.
Today, the association continues to play a fundamental part in promoting classical music in Guyana. Recently, at the National Cultural Centre, the association hosted “Musicians on Stage”, featuring a series of mesmerising melodies and beautifully choreographed dance pieces. The programme included violin, piano, guitar, steel pan and drumming pieces. There was also choral and vocal singing, along with choral poetry.
There are other women who have and still promote and preserve classical music in Guyana, to whom we are grateful for their efforts in keeping Guyana’s classical musical heritage alive. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
