HABITS OF CHARACTER
SOUND IN MOTION HOW CATHEDRAL BAND CREATES ENERGY AND COLLABORATION
by Steve Coronado, Grades 4–8 Band Teacher
THERE’S A CERTAIN KIND OF MAGIC that happens in a band room. It’s not just about sound. It’s about trust, timing, and courage. It’s about a group of young musicians learning to breathe together, listen to one another, and turn noise into harmony.
At Cathedral School for Boys, Band starts in Grade 4 and grows each year. Every boy learns to play a wind or percussion instrument. Every boy plays in an ensemble. From the first tentative notes in the fall to the final concert in the spring, they grow as musicians,
teammates, and people. We begin with fundamentals: tone, rhythm, breath, and posture. For many boys, this is their first time reading music, playing in an ensemble, or even holding an instrument. They discover early that what they contribute matters. Their focus, their timing, and their willingness to try all shape the experience. BAND IS WHERE NOISE BECOMES MUSIC, AND EFFORT BECOMES PRIDE. As students move into Grades 5 and 6, the music deepens. They rehearse more often, prepare for performances, and begin to understand how to blend and lead within a section. There’s always a moment — sometimes during warm-ups, sometimes mid- concert — when they hear it click. Suddenly, they sound like a band. By Grades 7 and 8, the Band becomes a true team. Boys arrange parts, lead warm-ups, and mentor younger players. They perform,
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CATHEDRAL SCHOOL FOR BOYS
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