A HUSBAND and wife musical duo proved top brass when spaces on their new free class for young musicians filled up within a day.

Riverside Youth Band stalwarts Mark and Laura Good have created a free online programme for local youngsters to get an introduction to brass instruments.

The 'Riverside Rookies' sessions were borne out of the pandemic and 12 youngsters aged six and upwards will be taught how to play a 'pBuzz' - a plastic instrument similar to a trombone - by talented musician Laura.

The 31-year-old, who also works in Newark Primary School, will guide the youngsters through fun and interactive weekly sessions to give them a head start on learning a brass instrument and potentially joining their training band.

Laura told the Tele: "We started a pilot back in August as we were concerned that young people might struggle without having opportunities through music due to the pandemic.

"We also had to think of how we were going to have an intake of new youngsters, so this programme is designed to teach them basic music theory using a much cheaper and more accessible instrument.

"The youngest we have is six and the eldest is nine and we hope that eventually they will be able to join our training band then go onto the youth band."

The programme will run for a year and it will be split into four-week blocks, each focusing on a different aspect of the instrument taught through a theme.

Parents are asked to sit in and spectate and eventually Laura hopes restrictions will allow the young people to meet up and play as an ensemble at their base in St John's Church hall in Port Glasgow.

Laura is also being supported by youth band member Rachel O'Conor, who came through the Riverside training band.

Musical director Mark, 30, is focusing his efforts on taking the older members for their weekly rehearsals via Zoom, but says he'll be watching the progress of the new recruits.

He added: "It was really exciting to see how quickly the spaces filled up.

"We wish we could take more but Laura wants to make it a really immersive and engaging experience and ensure she can give each child her attention.

"It was really important to us to make it free too as we know how difficult people might be finding things at the moment - we have always said we never want finance to be a barrier to learning music.

"It's a very full circle moment having Rachel on board too and we hope some of these youngsters will stay on with us when they can.

"We hope it will be a really good experience for them and look forward to eventually getting to teach them in person."