Port Chalmers School music pupils chopped and changed between several marimbas - large wooden percussion instruments - during a fundraising busking concert.
Teacher Rex Thompson said while the instruments were "reasonably straightforward" to play, year 4 to 8 pupils learnt about the importance of listening to other musicians and ensemble performance while practising tunes adapted for the marimba.
Money raised by the pupils would go back into the school's music budget, and would buy materials for new percussion instruments.
"It will augment the arts curriculum budget. By the time we teach several modules and buy all the necessary instruments, things can get pretty tight," he said.
Pupils Eliza Ching (12) and Emma Landreth (11) agreed playing challenging melodies, ranging from tunes such as the Tango to Hot Cross Buns, on the "top" instrument was the most difficult part of marimba playing.
As part of the busking exercise, pupils contacted the Dunedin City Council to get busking permits, arranged media coverage and organised transport with parents.
Pupils raised $293 between noon and 1.30pm.
