Children from Sistema Whangarei's school holiday programme showed parents, family and friends what they had learned with two concerts at the Old Library Arts Hub this week.
Fiona Douglas, from Sistema Whangarei, said holding the concerts at the end of the programme on Thursday gave the young musicians confidence to perform in front of others and provided an opportunity for their friends and whanau.
"It's a chance for them to show what they have learned over the past week on the holiday programme," she said.
Ms Douglas said Sistema Whangarei is also celebrating being included in an international book about Sistema programmes around the world.
Playing for Their Lives: The Global El Sistema Movement for Social Change Through Music, was written by expert educationalist Eric Booth and Tricia Thunstall.
In the book they speak about the "amazing" powhiri they were part of at Te Kura o Otangarei where the Sistema Whangarei children also played their violins and cellos.
Northern Advocate photographer Michael Cunningham went along on Thursday to see the youngsters perform.