Mainly Music still on song 10 years after its founding

St James Mainly Music in Wanganui East celebrated 10 years with cake and morning tea for the many families who attend the once-weekly morning session. Pictured with Kerralie Adam, who started the St James Mainly Music in October 2003, are, from left: Lucy Morgan, Finlay Rhodes and Astyn Fothergill.Photo/Stuart Munro

Kerralie Adam made a special visit to St James Mainly Music's 10-year celebration, which she started when her youngest son, Chris, was eight months and her older son, Matthew, was 2.

"This is the first time I've been back to a session in a long time," she said, smiling as she recalled the reason for starting the music session for pre-school children.

Mrs Adam was a member of St James Church and saw Mainly Music as a way of connecting the church with the community.

With work commitments and her children now at school, Mrs Adam finished direct involvement with Mainly Music in 2008.

"I am absolutely stoked it has continued and I love to know it is in really good spirits, and that we have impacted so many families," Mrs Adam said.

At those first sessions there were five families, which grew to 10 in its second session and 15 in the third week.

Today, 51 families are registered, 25 families attend regularly and a total of 61 children.

"It is exciting to be a part of these families' journey. Mainly Music works."

Mrs Adam said there were two other Mainly Music groups held in Wanganui when she started the Wanganui East group which has been run for the past decade by St James Church congregation volunteers and Mainly Music families.

A special celebratory service to mark the occasion was held at St James on Sunday.