At the weekend, 16-year-old musician Raina Kadowaki Pappu, of Dunedin, was the first student of the Saturday Morning Music Classes to draw notes from a newly bought French horn.
The local non-profit organisation, which provides tuition on orchestral instruments, voice and guitar, bought the instrument with funds donated by the Macandrew Bay Orphans and Entertainers Club.
Raina has been coming to the classes, held at George Street Normal School, for about eight months, but until the weekend, had used a French horn with an adult’s mouthpiece.
The new French horn was fitted with child’s mouthpiece which would be better suited for her, she said.
"It’s very shiny."
Musical director Aart Brusse said the new addition was "very exciting", particularly for the brass instrument section.
"It means that [Raina’s] got a really close to professional instrument."
Club president Daphne Lamb and treasurer Jack Paine were on hand to see Raina play the instrument for the first time.
Mr Paine said the club’s hall had been sold four years ago and the proceeds were being donated to causes across Dunedin.
"Knowing Aart, who’s been in the music scene for so many years, we approached him to see if they required anything," he said.
The funds had also been used to buy 12 new music stands and a trolley to transport them on.
Mrs Lamb said it was "just lovely to be able to contribute to something people can get enjoyment and fulfilment out of".
