Music is a wonderful thing and can have many different effects on people.

Music is capable of many things and can evoke emotions or memories. Listening to music can make someone feel happy and ecstatic or alternatively sad and distressed. Music can either make you feel on top of the world or wrench at your heart strings. People naturally relate music with experiences in life.

In the same way that listening to music can bring to mind images of the past or can affect your mood, playing an instrument has exactly the same effect. In addition to this, playing and performing music can change your life completely, both musically and socially.

Whilst learning an instrument students also develop socially. This can especially be seen in children. The difference between a student who has never played music and a student after playing an instrument such as the violin for a year is immeasurable. The sense of achievement and pride when they learn a new piece, first play in an orchestra or perform in public for the first time has a great effect on a person. Playing music not only gives you a love for something incredible but develops you in other ways most would think impossible.

The effect that making music can have on people's lives is something that can not be replicated.

I therefore encourage you all to pick up an instrument and begin this life changing experience.