A BRASS band has been set up by schools in Ferndown and north Bournemouth to encourage more youngsters to learn an instrument.

The band currently has 16 players aged nine to ten from Emmanuel Middle School, West Moors Middle School and Ferndown Middle School, equipped with cornets, trombones and tenor and baritone horns.

Most of the budding musicians are beginners, and the hope is that they will want to carry on playing at their next school, which for most will be Ferndown Upper School.

Clare Whitehead, director of music at Ferndown Upper School, said: “We wanted to do something a bit different to encourage children to play instruments.

“We had a load of brass instruments hiding away in cupboards, which were bought with the old Wider Opportunities Fund, but they aren’t as popular with the youngsters as other instruments.

“There is a long tradition of brass bands in this area so we decided to set one up.

“As well as using these instruments, and encouraging more children to play brass, it is a great opportunity for them to learn together.”

For now, following their second rehearsal, the youngsters have mastered three notes, but when the band gets going they will play a range of music.

They are already collecting extra members.

“They are enjoying themselves, it is a chance for them to make friends from other schools and meet up, and we have had a few extra friends join up as a result,” added Ms Whitehead.

“Another advantage of this band is that it will hopefully be resistant to any future changes in education – a sustainable way to teach music.”