The Rangiora Salvation Army's Just Brass music programme, aimed at children who would otherwise miss out on music lessons, has been running for just two school terms, but is already proving a hit with families.
''It's aimed at families who can't afford to have music lessons, but it's open to any students.
''We ask the teachers if there are any kids who would benefit from music lessons,'' Rangiora Salvation Army captain Christine De Maine says.
''Research shows that children benefit from playing music, as it helps their attention spans and their learning.''
Some of the children had never played an instrument before joining Just Brass.
''I love it. It's such an amazing thing that the Salvation Army is doing in providing free music lessons,'' Barrett says.
''We're now two terms into it and I can't wait for the next.
''We started in week one of term two. They were given their instruments and shown how to hold them, and 24 hours later it was the first band practice,'' Barrett says.
A concert is held at the end of each term, with a shared meal, so parents, grandparents, teachers and friends can check on their progress.
''Last term the kids were just on a high after they achieved their first concert,'' Christine says.
The second Rangiora Just Brass concert was held last Tuesday at the Rangiora Salvation Army Hall.
The next one will be held on December 10, with a Christmas theme.
Zeke Stirling, aged 9, has been learning the tuba, which he says is played by ''blowing lots of air into it''.
He says his friends at school are intrigued by the tuba, and ''some of them even ask how heavy it is - it's pretty heavy''.
He wrote a speech on the importance of learning music for a school assignment and presented it during Tuesday's concert.
''I might be learning the guitar next year.
''I want to be a famous musician and me and my friends are going to play in a band.''
The Rangiora Salvation Army provides the instruments and funds the music lessons.
Christine says she is keen to hear from potential sponsors to keep the programme going.
The programme is for up to 16 children, so there are two vacancies available.
