MANY of the children learning to play an instrument through Okehampton Music Centre performed for the first time as the initiative put on an evening of music for parents and friends to enjoy.

The project, which started in January, offers children in the Okehampton Learning Community from Year 3 upwards the chance to take part in a scholarship scheme which aims to remove the financial barriers associated with learning an instrument.

Children will be able to attend group music lessons at Okehampton College after school free of charge, learning a selection of instruments and singing.

Partnerships have been formed to ensure that children and young people receive high quality teaching and have access to excellent resources.

The music centre came about after Okehampton United Charity invited local organisations to bid for funding for musical projects. Community Links, a community interest company, was selected to run the scheme.

Heather Parks of Community Links said: 'For many of the children it was their first performance and they did fantastically.

'As well as parents, they played to representatives from the Okehampton United Charity and Devon Music Education Hub who are joint funders of the project.

'The project came about because the OUC offered a grant for encouraging music in the area for children and young people which Community Links successfully bid for.

'Working closely with Okehampton College, Community Links has employed six music teachers for the project who teach cello, viola, oboe, bassoon, trombone, tuba, French horn and the large joint ensemble workshop.

'After two terms we have over 80 children regularly attending for lessons and have student mentors and parent volunteers working on the project.'

New scholarship information will be issued in the autumn term in time for a January intake.

Anyone interested in having a place at the music centre can email Heather Parks at [email protected]">[email protected]