The Tribune

BY DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT – As part of his ongoing music ministry, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant presented wind instruments and keyboards to the St George’s High School music lab.

The presentation was made at the school to Principal Keith Barr and teachers in the Music Department.

Mr Grant has been presenting musical instruments to various organisations on the island for many years now.

In 1996, he made the first presentation to the Police Youth Boys Club to help them start a marching band.

Since then, every year he has made presentations to other youth groups and organisations, including churches, schools, marching bands, lodges and junkanoo groups.

The MP’s love for music started in church when he was a young boy.

“I grew up in the Church of God Prophecy and I wanted to play the saxophone but my parents could not afford to buy one. And while things have improved for me, I think there are many children falling in that category,” Mr Grant said.

A few years ago, Mr Grant provided brand new musical instruments to the Sister Mary Patricia Russell Junior High School, which now has one of the best music labs in the country.

The school received 25 Yamaha keyboards, a full size piano, and 21 violins.

The latest donation to St George’s High was not the first time Mr Grant made a presentation to the school.

“Hopefully, one day live music will return to our hotels, and I believe that if these children learn to play a musical instrument in school, they can earn a living by working in our hotels or in the music industry,” he said. “I am just pleased to be able to donate these instruments.”

To date, more than 21 entities have been recipients of musical instruments from Mr Grant.

He said that recipients have been very appreciative.

“The feedback from the general community has been very outstanding; they see it as a real ministry that is helping with the development of the youth,” he said.