Students in Kaye Hutchison’s fifth-grade class at Fairmount School attend a concert every week without ever leaving their classroom—and they are very familiar with the performers.

Each Friday afternoon, the students participating in the district’s band and orchestra programs—as well as students who are taking lessons at home—have the opportunity to perform in front of their peers.

The students choose which pieces to share. They can perform a solo, as part of an ensemble, or both. They head to the front of their classroom and introduce their piece before they share it, and the class applauds after each performance.

“They are all so supportive of one another—it truly is wonderful to see,” Hutchison said.

Hutchison starts the weekly concerts after the school year has been underway long enough for her students to have learned a few pages in their music books. She even has a piano wheeled in for those who want to perform a song on that instrument.

Dave Balika, who teaches band at Fairmount, Hillcrest and O’Neill Middle School, said Hutchison is a huge supporter of the district’s music program, and her students very much look forward to the Friday concerts.

“My students at Fairmount really get excited about performing, and want to know if I can make it over to hear them perform,” he said. “I feel this teaches the students poise while performing, and teaches audience skills to those who do not play.”