The Instrumental Music Program Unit in the South-West Priority Country Area (a vast, generally arid hot region some 800 km by 450 km) is a unique, dynamic, and successful program, enjoying an extremely high degree of enthusiastic support from all involved--administrators, instructors, students, schools, and communities. Begun in 1977, there are almost 500 students (children and adults) being taught string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments in 19 state and Catholic schools. There are six itinerant teachers, all multi-instrumentalists, who reach their schools by car and airplane. The Regional Music Centre houses the music library. All students receive a weekly lesson and attend a band rehearsal. While there are some problems to be resolved (the teachers are over-committed, a larger, safer aircraft is needed, etc.), the Instrumental Music Program Unit is the only cultural program that is common to all 12 communities and has been a unifying force in this region with its dispersed population. The unit has been an innovative and unique response to the difficult problem of providing such a service in a remote area where distances are formidable, and in so doing has given the participants a new vision of the quality of life. (BRR)