Unifying Band Practices: Fostering Community in Instrumental Ensembles

Music programs vary widely from school to school to meet students’ needs and the needs of the community. Some music programs, such as marching band or show choir, include multiple cocurricular or extracurricular opportunities through which student social communities are built and strengthened in unique and powerful ways. Programs without these outlets may therefore benefit from exploring camaraderie building and community development through focused curricular efforts. Using our experience with concert band as a model, this article unpacks several strategies to cultivate belonging and build relationships, revealing new pathways toward connection in the music classroom.