My name is John Bell. I'm a band director at Germantown High School in Germantown, what's

time?

John Bell has been making this show a big part of his work. He says he wanted something

more for his students.

Something to help bring the kids together more than making music.

Listening to the podcast each week and thought, this best part of your week is a great idea,

so I borrowed it.

John started playing our best thing segment for his band classes and he'd ask his students

to share the best parts of their weeks as well.

College acceptance letters, getting drivers license, good test scores, siblings coming

home from college to visit, they get to know each other better than just come to class

each day and performing concerts together. It's a more personal connection that they didn't

have before.

Public radio is more than just the news. It helps you celebrate the good stuff in

life too. And like John Bell said, it helps build stronger communities. In high school

band halls and across the world.

Support this work. To get started with your donation to an NPR member station, visit

donate.npr.org slash SAM. Or just text the word SAM to the number 49648.

We'll send you a text message with a link where you can find your local station and make

your contribution. Message and data rates may apply. You can visit npr.org slash SMS terms

for privacy and text message terms. This lifelong band nerd. Thanks you.

This is Chris. Hey Chris, this is Sam Sanders calling with NPR.

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