ABOUT one third of pupils at a York primary are getting instrumental lessons as the school becomes a "music hub".

This term nearly 100 Children at Osbaldwick Primary School have started learning a musical instrument. The whole of Year 4 - 50 youngsters - have been having free weekly lessons on City of York Council's Music Services' Wider Opportunities scheme and other children have started having music lessons after three new peripatetic staff started working with the school.

From just six children having lessons in school now about 50 receive weekly lessons from Year 2 to 6 in violin, piano, keyboard, trumpet, clarinet, flute, guitar, electric guitar and learning to play in a pop band.

The children’s achievements were celebrated at a Musical Showcase where parents attended an evening concert at Osbaldwick village church.

Parents saw performances from pop bands to flute and clarinet duets and whole class violin performances to solos. More concerts will follow in the New Year as the school is part of the Area Music Hub – a community of organisations working together to promote music as part of the lives of children today.

This is all part of Osbaldwick’s whole school music initiative. The school has employed a music consultant, Karen Marshall, an experienced music teacher, trainer and published author.

She is writing a whole school music curriculum and training non-specialist music teachers at Osbaldwick to teach music. Children are learning to sing, read music, play in ensembles and music listening skills in their weekly school music lesson. The Reception class have just finished their own music club and a whole school choir will begin in January.

Head teacher, Lesley Barringer, said: “Our school aims to focus our children’s learning and expand their experiences within a rich curriculum.

"This is actively helping us to continue with our drive to improve pupils’ achievement after a period of significant change during the merger. It’s all part of our journey and I would like to thank all the children, staff and parents for their amazing support for music this term.”