Alec plays the violin and Stella plays the flute in the band at their school. The school has two bands {#blank#}1{#/blank#}are known as the training band and the concert band. Everyone begins in the training band. “At the very beginning, I played it {#blank#}2{#/blank#}(terrible)!” says Stella. “My family asked me to practice in the back yard {#blank#}3{#/blank#}they didn't like the noise.”

    Alec and Stella have been playing their instruments for a year now so they sound much better. They are both in the concert band and they are learning    {#blank#}4{#/blank#}(difficult) music than before. “We're learning the music from the film Pirates of the Caribbean. It sounds fantastic!” says Alec. “It is really great{#blank#}5{#/blank#}(play) in the band with other kids.”

    As well as being fun, many {#blank#}6{#/blank#}(scientist) say that learning a musical instrument is good for your brain. It helps children {#blank#}7{#/blank#}their reading and math skills. It helps them learn to concentrate. Alec thinks that learning the violin has helped {#blank#}8{#/blank#}(he) at school. “I have to concentrate and think about nothing when I'm practicing,” he says. “And now it's easier for me to concentrate on my schoolwork.”

    Learning music can {#blank#}9{#/blank#}help children become more sure of themselves. As Stella says, “The first time I {#blank#}10{#/blank#}(stand) in front of an audience I was scared. But now I really enjoy it.”