Young instrumentalists in Dripping Springs have found a way to share music together and with their communities while still maintaining social distance over the past few weeks. Every evening at 7 p.m., band students from Sycamore Springs Middle School and other Dripping Springs ISD schools have taken to their front porches to play concerts.

"Any kid who has their instrument at home can participate in this and feel connected to other band students across the county," said Sycamore Springs band director Tamarie Sayger, who floated the idea for the porch concerts to students after hearing about similar efforts at other schools across the country.

Sayger's students join band students throughout the United States who take to their instruments at the same time each evening, using the hashtag #MusicConnectsUs to share their concerts on social media. The concerts have also allowed students to connect with classmates who live nearby.

"We've had some that live across the street or next door to each other, and they come out at the same time a perform the same song in a socially distanced way," Sayger said.

Students choose their own repertoire for the concerts and sometimes rope in family members for a group show. As these students continue with virtual learning, it is a way for students to be examples of "resilience and positivity" to their families, neighbors and classmates, according to the school.