These included learning to play chords on a ukulele, basic notes on a violin, rehearsing a Samba Band routine, and creating a story using musical instruments. At the end of the week, all the classes came together to perform for whānau and classmates in a celebration concert.

Muriel Pehi, Year 1 teacher at Wigram Primary Te Piki Kāhu, said her class had really enjoyed learning to sing and play ukulele chords to ‘Row Row Row Your Boat’ in English and Te Reo Māori, accompanied by actions. Working on the ‘Row Row’ projects led easily to class discussions about exploration, and students were really getting involved in the project.

Serena White teaches new entrants in Te Piki Kāhu and her class loved their project, contributing elements to a story about a group of musical, magical elves who were the kaitiaki (guardians) of a forest, created by CSO Assistant Concertmaster Sarah McCracken.

“They’ve really enjoyed listening to the different instruments and it’s really awesome for the children to experience them,” said White. When the time came for the instruments to be distributed, one of her students could not contain his excitement.

“I want to play the guitar!” he shouted as he bounced up and down in his seat, referring to the brightly coloured ukuleles that were on offer.

Others played drums, triangles, chime bars, and shakers to represent trees, flowers, river, fishes, and grass.

St Peter’s Year 4 ākonga Alexandria has been really enjoying the residency and playing together in a Samba band with the rest of her brass group.

She also forms part of a group at St Peter’s learning to play plastic ‘brass’ instruments with CSO Principal Trombone Karl Margevka. As a part of the Samba Band project, the brass students joined a class of older students learning to play percussion with CSO Associate Principal Percussion Roanna Funcke.

St Peters Year 4 teacher Tracy Burgess said:“The environment has been really supportive. The kids who have never played music before don’t feel like they’re behind just because they haven’t played an instrument before.”

Teacher aide Sara Sutherland, who was seeing the Samba Band rehearsal for the first time on Thursday morning just before the final performance, said she was “absolutely amazed at how much focus [the students] have and the joy on their faces”.

“It’s a great opportunity for students who might not have been able to do it otherwise.”