Benji Bear was a very cheerful and noisy little bear; he would whistle and sing all the time. On the way to school, he would find large sticks to rat- a- tat -tat on fences as he passed. At home, he would upturn his mum’s best saucepans and using wooden spoons he would play them like drums; he would bang the saucepan lids together for symbols; and put dried peas in storage boxes and shake or rattle them with all his might like maracas.

He loved music, he loved loud music and he loved to make loud music, even if it sounded like a noise to other people, it was music to him.

His mum would shout “Please keep the noise down Benji” and he would reply “It’s not noise, it is music.”

Benji would spend hours in his bedroom using old cardboard tubes for trumpets or using his tennis racket as a guitar, practising in front of the mirror.

His friends would call around after school to try to get him to come out and play, but more often than not, he would say “I’m too busy”, but everyone knew what he was doing, being very NOISY!

One day at school after morning assembly had just finished, Benji saw a notice pinned to the board at the back of the hall, it caught his eye because on it were pictures of drums, trumpets, symbols and a guitar. The notice read

LET’S MAKE MUSIC

Auditions tomorrow at Lunchtime

Anyone interested in being in a school band.

Benji’s eyes lit up. This was just what he wanted, he couldn’t wait for tomorrow. He was bursting with excitement to tell his mum about it all. When he arrived home, he gathered together all the saucepans, lids, wooden spoons, shakers and tennis rackets he could find, and took them up to his bedroom to practice.

The noise coming from the bedroom was deafening, but this time Benji’s mum didn’t complain, she knew how much getting into the band meant to him.

The next day, it seemed to take forever to reach lunchtime. Eventually, the school bell rang for lunch break and Benji walked as quickly as he could to the hall, he wanted to run but that wasn’t allowed, and the last thing he wanted was to be caught by Mrs Russell and be sent to the headmaster.

In the hall, there was already a big queue. Everyone waited their turn and wrote their names on a list. Then, they were led down the corridor to the newly built music room. Mr Bell, the music teacher was there to greet them and show them all the brand new musical instruments, shiny symbols, trumpets, triangles, violins and a beautiful set of drums.

Before entering the music room, Benji had only seen real instruments on the television. His family did not have much money, so he was used to making his own instruments, except for a plastic piano he got last Christmas, which was his pride and joy.

The children were given a chance to play, Benji could tell some had played before, Dilbert and Lola had definitely had lessons he thought to himself……. They were much too good.

Eventually it was Benji’s turn, he impressed Mr Bell by telling him about all the instruments he had made at home and how he practiced every spare moment. Although, he had never played the real thing before, he was really rather good.

Lunchtime went all too quickly for Benji’s liking. He had just enough time to eat his sandwiches before the school bell went.

The music teacher had told everyone that he would let them know on Friday who was to be in the band. Those who didn’t get in would be welcome to come and practice anytime.

Friday seemed to take forever to arrive, but when Benji awoke that morning he had butterflies in his tummy, he so wanted to be in the band. What would he do if he wasn’t? It would be hard going back to playing on his saucepans and spoons after playing the real thing.

“Never mind,” he thought trying to cheer himself up “I will just go to the music room and practice every spare moment I get.”

The Friday assembly passed as usual, but at the end of it just before everyone was dismissed, Mr Bell stood up and walked to the front. Benji’s heart started pounding; he was just minutes away from finding out if he had got in or not.

Mr Bell coughed and cleared his throat. “What a great turnout we had at our auditions for the school band on Tuesday, I was very impressed with everyone. I could tell some of you have already had lessons. Some shone out for their musical ability and others for their enthusiasm.

Benji’s heart sank as he had never had a lesson; he had never even seen a real instrument before, let alone played one. He was sure he wouldn’t get chosen.

Mr Bell continued “Now I will read the names of the pupils who will be in our school band. Dilbert will you come forward please. Carla will you join him. Sandy, you next. Lola too.”

The list went on and on. Benji fought hard to hold back the tears. He was just about to put his head in his hands when Mr Bell said “and finally, our band leader, for sheer determination and enthusiasm is Benji Bear. Benji come and join us. That completes the list of pupils in the school band. Thank you all very much.”

Benji could hardly believe his ears, not only was he going to be in the band, but he was going to be the band leader. He ran to the front to join the others.

Everyone in the assembly clapped and cheered, Benji had never been so happy.

He was going to practice even more than before, but this time on real instruments. He couldn’t wait to tell his mummy and daddy, they would be so proud.

The band played every spare moment they could find and Benji made a wonderful leader.

At the end of term, they performed in the school concert and were a huge success.

Benji still played his instruments at home but now it wasn’t just a loud noise, it was real music.