The week a whole year learns an instrument

In the second week of September, forty-one Year 3 children each chose an instrument. Violin went first, as it does every year. Two chose the double bass, which is taller than they are, and both are still going.

How it works

The school owns the instruments and lends them for the year. There is a group lesson on Monday, a sectional on Thursday and twenty minutes of practice set as prep three nights a week. Nobody pays extra for any of it.

By the summer concert, every child in the year plays in an ensemble. The standard varies enormously, which is rather the point: the concert is not an audition.

What it costs

Two periods a week, taken out of what would otherwise be more English and more maths. We have watched the Year 5 results carefully since we started this in 2011 and they have not moved.

What it gives back

About a third carry on past Year 3 and pay for individual lessons. The rest stop, and still know what a rehearsal feels like, how to count themselves in, and what it is to be the weakest player in a room and turn up anyway.