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A wonderful opportunity
After a career as a professional musician, Bruce Roberts has found his calling, passing on his skills to children in low-decile Christchurch schools.
I began tutoring for the Just Brass programme when it began last year. Based on an Australian model, we provide up to 40 children aged 8–11 from Mairehau and Shirley Primary Schools with brass instruments, music and lessons for free.
On Tuesdays, the children come to Christchurch City Corps for a band rehearsal and we run holiday programmes. We have three bands for the children’s different levels of ability.
Before joining Just Brass I was Principal Trumpet in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Just Brass came at the right time as I was ready for a change. Being involved in such a worthwhile project helps me repay a debt of gratitude to the teachers who selflessly invested hours of their time teaching me to play.
My parents were Salvation Army officers, so I was raised in an environment where serving people was highly regarded. Over the years, I have taught in many different schools and always thought it was a shame some of our disadvantaged children miss out on a music education. Just Brass was a way to offer the opportunities I had as a child and it’s been a privilege.
We have nine Just Brass children who have joined the corps’ junior band, and one has shown interest in attending Sunday services at the corps.
The children come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some come from challenging home situations, but everyone is treated with the same care and respect. Some behaviour can be a challenge, but you understand there’s a reason behind it, and some have made big improvements. They understand if you care about them and their lives—that provides the context in which you can teach them.
Their talent, focus and desire to grasp this opportunity amazes me. Sometimes when I’m having a break in the staffroom, kids come knocking on the door saying, ‘Can you open the music room? We want to practise!’
At both schools we have the understanding and support of staff. When I go into school I am conscious of taking children away from their lessons, but often the teacher will smile and say, ‘This is a wonderful opportunity for them.’ We know from other research and talking to teachers that music helps build self-confidence, concentration and other academic and motor skills.
I do small group lessons at school and we always have a chat at the start. A girl came in one day looking a bit down. I asked her what was going on. She said, ‘I’m leaving school this year. I won’t be in the programme anymore. What am I going to do?’ I said, ‘That’s easy, you can join the junior band.’ She said, ‘What about when I go to High School?’ I said, ‘You can join the senior band,’ and she said, ‘Does that mean I can play for the rest of my life?’ She was jumping up and down with joy.
I still perform with groups and teach in other schools, but doing Just Brass is such a blessing, a privilege and a joy. I am grateful beyond words for this wonderful opportunity.
by Bruce Roberts (c) 'War Cry' magazine, 5 September 2015, pp9.
You can read 'War Cry' at your nearest Salvation Army church or centre, or subscribe through Salvationist Resources.