Creating and sharing music as a species, especially in a group, goes back to the days of early humans. As a means of expression, social and community building and communication, music has been an integral and important part of the development of humankind. On a smaller scale, music is an important part of any community’s heritage, and musical learning and participation is, arguably, a crucial part of any child’s education that has lasting positive effects all the way through adulthood. Read on to see some vintage photographs of musical groups on the North Shore and learn about some of the different ways in which music is so important to the human experience from birth to old age.

And now for something completely different... read on for a whimsical, timely story by our resident published author, Paul Haston, that involves a tram ride and a packet of matches!