Tuba after American bandmaster John Philip Sousa, resembles a hélicon with the bell pointed up (in the original models as the J. W. Pepper prototype and Sousa's concert instruments) and then curved to point forward (as developed by Conn and others). Some ancestors of the tuba, such as the military "bombardon", had unusual valve and bore arrangements compared to modern tubas. During the American Civil War, most brass bands used a branch of the brass family known as "saxhorns", which, by today's standards, have a narrower bore taper than tuba—the same as true cornets and baritones, but distinct from trumpets, euphoniums,
St Catherine's School, Toorak in Year 3 & 4, and a brass or woodwind instrument in Year 5. These small group lessons allow students a ‘hands-on' experience including opportunities to perform throughout the year. The school also offers a comprehensive Instrumental Program in all instrument families (including string, woodwind, brass, voice, percussion and keyboard instruments) where students learn with specialist teachers in classical and contemporary styles. Individual tuition from highly qualified specialist instrumental staff is available on the following instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba Piano, Harpsichord, Recorder, Classical singing, Jazz singing