All children in Wales will have free access to a musical instrument from September as part of the government’s new music education plan.
Funding for music education will triple from £1.5m to £4.5m a year over the next three years.
Welsh Education Secretary Jeremy Miles said the new National Music Service will ensure music is accessible to all children in Wales.
Elementary school students also receive half a semester of lessons from a musician.
The Welsh Government has stated that priority will be given to children from low-income families and those with additional learning needs.
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Staff at St Joseph’s Cathedral Primary School in Swansea said that playing instruments already benefits pupils’ “happiness and creativity”.
Rebecca, a sixth grade student, said she loves learning new instruments with friends.
“I like to play instruments with my friends. Music brings people together, it’s almost like a way of communication,” added Rebecca.
“It’s fun to learn new songs and it helps me relax.”
“Learning an instrument was a formative part of my upbringing and lack of money should not be a barrier to any young person wishing to learn music,” said First Minister Mark Drakeford.
All children in Wales should be encouraged to play “a full part” in the “strong tradition” of musical ensembles in Wales, he added.
The plan includes a new national tool and equipment library to be shared across Wales.
The Welsh Government said its aim is to offer all children aged three to 16 a free instrument to practice at school and at home – so children from households who may not be able to afford one can take part.
Bethan Mari Williams, a teacher at St. Joseph’s, said the school is already seeing benefits from the additional services.
“We hope it will help children to play different instruments than they normally would not have the opportunity to do outside of school,” she said.
“It also helps with mental health, especially after the last two years. There is a strong correlation between playing instruments, happiness and creativity, so hopefully it will help children’s well-being as well.
“Some kids who may not excel at academics really do at creative ones.
“In our school we have a lot of different cultures and different languages, but music is a language that they can all play together, which really helps.”
Mr Miles said the money would ensure Wales continued to produce and nurture new talent.
“Anyone who has had the opportunity to learn an instrument at school knows how great it is, the possibilities it offers and how it teaches important qualities such as independence and the ability to work in a team,” he said.
“But unfortunately it can be difficult to get access to music. You have to be able to afford an instrument, and the tuition fees can be a barrier for some.”
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