The Tribune

PRIME Minister Perry Christie has challenged the co-chairmen of the Urban Renewal Commission to boost the number of youngsters learning and playing music under the auspices of the Urban Renewal bands across The Bahamas.

Former Parliamentarians and cabinet ministers Cynthia “Mother” Pratt and Algernon Allen serve as the commission’s co-chairmen.

Mr Christie said: “Let there be one thousand, two thousand, three thousand who are able to do this because you are actually giving them an opportunity to be smart.

“You have to have a brain to be able to play music; you have to be smart to play music and when you look at some of the kids who are currently in the bands who are 8 and 9 years of age and can play multiple instruments, that is a special thing,” he said.

Addressing the 2012 graduation class of the Centreville Urban Renewal Computer Programme, Mr Christie said he wanted to give young children chances to develop their gifts and talents in the classroom, in the community, through music, or through sports and other activities.

“We must never give up on our children,” Mr Christie said, “the children who are taught music are taught discipline by the very nature of their trade. They have to be disciplined to stay with it, to learn it and to be able to present themselves in a way which is a magnificent development for them.”

Mr Christie applauded the graduates for their hard work and dedication to the programme, adding that their successful completion of the computer literacy programme should propel them to even greater heights and self fulfilment.

“I congratulate those of who graduated from the course because I know how you feel; because I know how I felt when I sent my first email; it’s as if you have been released. Don’t stop now though, become even more proficient at it,” he added.