Progress in Pianoforte

Students rendering a song, while Timir Nandy accompanies in the Piano

In the second session of the programme, the piano was performed by Arritro ("Fur Elise" in A minor), Rayana ("A Little Waltz" in G minor), Rafsunjani ("Tarantella" in F major), Adrita ("Spanish Fiesta" in Fmajor), Samin ("The Entertainer" in F major), Poulomi ("A Little Spring Song" in F major) and Suzanne (Theme from "Love Story"). Bengali songs like "Shagor Pahar Morur Badha", "Amra Shobai Raja" ("Rabindrsangeet") and "Bulbul Pakhi" were also sung by Ridi, Urmee, Upal, Mohaimin, Daniel, Mark and Wahid. The accompanying musicians were Farid, Mortaza, Halim and Arif.

Asked about Silver Star Academy, Nandy said that it offers Trinity College London certificates on performing arts and music. The Silverstar Academy has been there for three years. This is for the first time that a Bangladeshi institution has offered the Trinity College, London courses." Elaborating on the Trinity College, Nandy said that it began in 1877, and now has the widest and most up-to-date range of assessments in the performing and communicative arts. He said that the first graded music exams were introduced 125 years ago, and since then they have continually developed and reined a system of assessments which support teaching and learning for the early stages right through to the profession. Being fully accredited in the UK, their qualifications are recognised for education and employment in many countries. "Basically, the advantage of the school is that students can sit here and appear for the overseas course. The theory music exam for which the students appeared in this year was a milestone in piano music. We need a country representative in Bangladesh and this role is played by Shrikanthan."

Giving further details about the students who had obtained good results, Nandy mentioned Arittro Noor (SFX Greenherald School) as the student who had got a distinction. The merit list included Poulomi Chakma, Samin Hafizul Haq, Shayer Hassan (Sunnydale School) and Zeeshan Mulk (IUB), while Rayana Hussain (ISD) and Adrita Mulk (PSCC) also passed. The students had appeared for Grade-I (theory) as they had learnt for a relatively short time only. Nandy said, "Should my students go in for Grade-VIII, it will bring accolades for him/her and me too. By that stage they will play symphonies, preludes and a range of western classical pieces that will include Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, Chopin, Schubert, Schumann and the moderns too. Each of my students come to me now for an hour once a week. However, they must put in considerable practice at home too. The piano is an expensive and difficult instrument to handle; some of the students have piano or keyboard at home to practice on. My students consist of both men and women and they range from the age of six to sixty."

Elaborating on the syllabus followed by TCL, Nandi said that the exams take place thrice a year, including the theory and the practical. Fees are paid according to the set fee expenses, with nominal payment for syllabus and past questions. He said that students may sit for graded music exams after which they can go in for diplomas as teachers or performers; if they perform well, they are considered for scholarships in music.

Asked to give some details about himself, Nandy said that he had his Masters in music from Russia in 1982. He went on a scholarship from the Bangladesh government. He has been teaching English songs and the piano at SFX Greenherald Int'l School and at home for 13 years. Nandy is known as a singer, music director and conductor in BTV and Bangladesh Betar.

Siverine de S Shrikanthan said that she was once a piano teacher in Sri Lanka and had come to Bangladesh with her husband who owns a garments' house.

Syed Fahim Munaim, speaking that evening, requested the students and schools to focus on extracurricular activities besides academics. He also requested the parents to encourage the children to learn at least one musical instrument.

The event was sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank.