b'Alan McDonald, age 12, Corkas music generation reaches its fourth birthday, i am12 years old , and have been playing the cornet for over a year now. I get one lesson per weekin school with my lesson partner Caitlin. Our tutor Shauna is from Barrack Street Band and Music Generation Cork City.I like playing my instrument because it makes me feel dierent. None of my friends at home play an instrument, but my dadplays keyboard in a band called Arkadia. I think playing my instrument makes me focus a bit more because I have to keeptrack of what notes I am playing or I will be lost. I also have to think about what notes are ahead.Music has changedthe school because we have lots of new and different activities now. For example, theNew York Brass Band came to my school and performed for us. The band asked us to play with them. I was a bit nervous because we didnt have time to prepare any music, but it was great fun in the end. I got to play a solo too! We played a tunecalled Message to you Rudy!. Like my dad, I play in a band. They are called the Barrack Street Youth Band. We practice lotsof dierent tunes, like marches, pop music and Christmas carols. We play a lot of concerts, like the most recent one in theTogher Church. Our band picture made it into the Evening Echo. I enjoy playing my instrument because it is a good challenge.I think I am a good musician because I practice a lot at home and I can recognise a note when I hear it. I dont see myselfbeing a big musician in the future, but I do see myself as being a member of the Barrack Street Senior Band.maybe even abit more famous than that!connect2014 | 39'