MADISON, Wis. — Students in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) are performing a variety of free musical performances this holiday season.

It’s a way for them to connect with the community and showcase what they’re learning.

“I love going and it's one of the places where I have so much fun and I feel like I can just be me,” said Sufi P., a member of Members of the Georgia O’Keeffe Middle School 8th Grade band. Sufi is an alto saxophonist.

Besides playing instruments, some of the students have also learned how to compose songs. Sufi composed one of the songs the group performed.

“Usually in my mind I just have like a constant, constant loop of background music for my life,” he said.

Getting to showcase the growing talent of her students is what makes holiday concerts so fun for band teacher Alyssa Buss.

“Eighth grade is always a fun year because they're at their pinnacle of middle school musicianship,” Buss said. “And this group in particular is a very talented group.”

For Frances Ball, an 8th grader who plays flute, practicing with the band is one of the best parts of her day.

“It’s pretty fun,” Ball said. “We just go through the songs, and if we have a part that we need to fix, she'll stop us, and we'll fix it.”

The O’Keeffe middle school band is one of 20 bands and choirs from different Madison public schools putting on free community concerts ahead of winter break, which starts Dec. 20. 

Buss believes sharing what kids are learning with the public is important.

“I hope they come and realize how awesome music education is in our public schools, and see what the students are able to do, and how great of an experience it is for them in our public schools,” Buss said.

For these students, the joy in getting to make music with their friends is palpable. 

Sufi said getting to bring that joy to others, on a bigger stage, makes it more powerful.

“More recognition and more people knowing that I do this and that I can do this is a possibility,” he said.