SOUND FOUNDATIONS

Share this article with a friend.

June 5, 2026

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

How Notre Dame Prep’s band and music program develops musicians, scholars and leaders from Pre-K through graduation.

The final notes of Benny Goodman’s Sing, Sing, Sing echoed through the Lafayette Grande Ballroom in Pontiac last month as Notre Dame Prep student-musicians and returning alumni shared the stage for the school's annual Big Band Dinner Dance. Multiple drum sets crowded the stage. Student performers traded solos with graduates. Families, alumni and supporters filled the ballroom.

For many schools, a concert is simply a performance.

At Notre Dame Prep, the Big Band Dinner Dance serves as a visible expression of something much larger: a music program that begins in the lower school, expands through the middle school years, and culminates in a high school experience that combines marching band, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, leadership development and lifelong alumni engagement.

"The Big Band Dinner Dance is a cornerstone of our program and a tradition I've been privileged to be part of since I joined the jazz band as a freshman in 2006," said band director and alumna Claire Zavolta-Force NDP'10. "Seeing these jazz standards passed down from one year to the next shows the incredible ownership our students take in these traditions, ensuring the music and the mentorship continue for the musicians to follow."

That continuity is one of the defining characteristics of Notre Dame Prep's music program. It is also one reason the program continues to attract students and families looking for an educational experience that values both academic excellence and artistic development.

A program built across three schools

At many schools, music opportunities begin in middle school or are limited to a handful of elective courses.

Notre Dame Prep's approach is different.

Music instruction begins in the lower school, where every student from Pre-K 3 through fifth grade participates in music classes. Students receive music instruction three times during the school's eight-day rotating schedule, while fourth- and fifth-grade students may also participate in band.

Lower school music teacher Lauren Munaco sees music as an extension of the school's International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program.

"At the lower school, we strive to create musicians that are inquirers who think and reflect deeply on the music around them," Munaco said. "We focus on communicating with expression and joy when we create and perform music."

She added that students learn through the IB learner profile and transdisciplinary themes that connect music to broader learning.

"Whether we are learning an instrument like a recorder, or we are learning about music from around the world," she said, students are developing skills that extend beyond the music classroom.

That foundation continues in the middle school through beginning band, intermediate band and advanced band courses.

Students learn notation literacy, rhythmic understanding, music theory, ensemble performance, chamber music, repertoire analysis and music history while developing discipline, teamwork and confidence.

By the time students reach high school, they enter a program that offers multiple performance pathways and opportunities for growth.

Marching band, symphonic band and the honors jazz ensemble form the backbone of the upper school curriculum.

Marching band students learn drill chart literacy, marching techniques, leadership and performance skills while participating in football games, exhibitions and competitions. During the winter semester, students transition into Symphonic Band, where emphasis shifts toward musical analysis, historical context and advanced ensemble performance.

The honors jazz ensemble provides an additional challenge.

Students audition for the group and study sight-reading, improvisation, music theory and performance practices while appearing at school events, community functions, fundraisers and professional engagements throughout Metro Detroit.

For Zavolta-Force, the breadth of opportunities reflects a larger educational philosophy.

"Since taking over the band program, the most fulfilling part of my position has been the opportunity to work with and make music alongside my students every day," she said.

The educational value of music

While families often appreciate music because of the joy it brings, a growing body of research suggests the benefits extend far beyond performance.

A 2024 study published in PLOS ONE found that music education positively affects students' psychological well-being, self-esteem, self-efficacy and academic performance. Researchers concluded that music learning helps students become "more confident and self-assured," both of which support mental health and academic achievement.

The study also found that music education contributes to students' ability to work effectively with others, recognize and manage emotions, take responsibility for their own learning and persist through challenges.

The authors also observed that music education helps students develop resilience.

"Music provides a platform for students to express their emotions," the study notes. "Through playing instruments or singing, students can convey feelings that might be difficult to express verbally." Researchers further found that music participation can foster social connections, a sense of belonging and improved cognitive functioning.

Those findings align with broader national research.

The American Psychological Association reported that students highly engaged in music scored significantly better in English, mathematics and science than their nonmusical peers. Researchers at the University of Southern California have likewise found that music education contributes positively to youth well-being and development.

For educators at Notre Dame Prep, these findings confirm what they observe every day.

The discipline required to prepare for a performance, the confidence gained from mastering difficult repertoire and the teamwork necessary for successful ensemble playing become lessons that extend into every aspect of student life.

A culture of mentorship, a generational legacy

One of the most distinctive features of Notre Dame Prep's music program is its unusually strong alumni involvement.

Many graduates continue performing long after high school. Others return to mentor current students, assist during band camp or perform at annual events.

Some, like Zavolta-Force herself, eventually return to lead the program.

"One of the hallmarks of our program has always been its strong alumni tradition — passing down knowledge, experiences and pride from one generation to the next," she said.

She points to traditions such as the annual Sing, Sing, Sing drum solo, which has been handed down through generations of student percussionists.

 

"The alumni of this program — myself included — take tremendous pride in the legacy and culture of our band family," Zavolta-Force said. "What makes this community so special is that it continues to grow stronger with every new student who joins."

Research suggests that these kinds of collaborative musical experiences contribute to student growth in ways that extend beyond performance. The PLOS ONE study found that music education strengthens resilience, confidence and academic success.

That culture has left a lasting impression on alumni and parents alike.

Dr. Fabian Fregoli ND'89, president and chief medical officer of Trinity Health Oakland, has experienced the program from multiple perspectives: student, parent, volunteer and alumnus.

He and his wife, Loreta, who currently assists Zavolta-Force with the band program, have watched all three of their sons participate in the band program.

"The music program at NDP has left an indelible mark on each of our children," Fregoli said. "And the band program creates a strong sense of community and shared purpose, bringing students together to grow both individually and collectively."

He believes the impact extends well beyond musicianship.

"The program consistently attracts bright, ambitious students who develop not only as musicians, but also as Christian people, upright citizens and academic scholars," he said.

Fregoli himself graduated from the original Marist-sponsored Notre Dame High School in Harper Woods, where he performed under legendary director Larry Egan.

"Notre Dame High School had long been recognized for having one of the premier high school music programs in the state," he said.

Today, he sees that tradition continuing.

"Mrs. Claire Zavolta-Force has continued that proud tradition by fostering a caring, supportive environment where students are encouraged to discover and develop their talents," Fregoli said. "She strikes an exceptional balance between encouragement and accountability, inspiring students to reach their full potential."

Opportunity for every student

Fregoli also believes one of the program's greatest strengths is its accessibility.

"Our program is uniquely positioned because it is the right size — large enough to perform complex musical compositions and execute impressive marching band productions, yet small enough to provide individualized attention and meaningful opportunities for every student," he said.

At Notre Dame Prep, students do not need extensive prior experience to participate.

"There is truly a place for everyone," Fregoli said.

That philosophy aligns closely with findings from music education research.

The PLOS ONE study posits that music education should be given greater priority within school curricula because of its benefits to students' psychological well-being, confidence and academic development. Researchers wrote that music learning contributes to "a more holistic educational experience that fosters students' overall well-being and success."

Students at NDP are encouraged to take risks, develop new skills and discover talents they may not have previously recognized.

"The music program, much like many other programs at Notre Dame Prep, serves as a foundation for helping students discover their talents, interests and potential," Fregoli said.

Preparing students for life

The value of the music program is perhaps best measured by what students do after graduation.

Nick LewAllen NDP'08 chose Notre Dame Prep largely because of its performing arts opportunities.

"My reason for choosing NDP ultimately came down to the performing arts program," he said. "I was seeking not only a quality Catholic education, but also the ability to express my creative side in a nurturing environment that would keep me growing."

Today, LewAllen works in information technology at General Motors. Yet he continues returning annually for the Big Band Dinner Dance.

Similarly, George Moussa NDP'24 has continued performing jazz while attending the University of Michigan, where he serves as president of the Blue Bop Jazz Orchestra.

"It was the band program at NDP that was largely responsible for my musical formation," Moussa said.

He credits both former director Joe Martin and Zavolta-Force with shaping his development as a musician.

More importantly, he says the experience helped him develop friendships, leadership skills and a deeper appreciation of faith.

Those outcomes reflect the broader goals of arts education.

Research published in PLOS ONE concluded that music education contributes to psychological well-being, confidence and academic success while helping students build skills that support long-term personal growth. The authors ultimately recommended that schools prioritize music education because of its positive impact on both educational outcomes and student well-being.

Looking ahead

Even as Notre Dame Prep’s program celebrates its traditions, it continues to evolve.

Zavolta-Force recently announced plans for the 2026 marching band showcase, "I Want My NDP," featuring music inspired by MTV's list of the top music videos of the 1980s.

The production will include a custom arrangement by alumnus Matt Croft, further extending the program's longstanding tradition of alumni involvement.

For prospective families, that blend of innovation and continuity may be one of the strongest indicators of the program's health.

Music at Notre Dame Prep is not confined to a single classroom, ensemble or performance season.

It begins in the lower school. It develops through the middle school years. It expands through marching band, symphonic band and jazz ensemble in high school. And, as the annual Big Band Dinner Dance demonstrates, it often continues long after graduation.

For many students, the lessons learned through music become part of who they are.

And for Notre Dame Prep, that may be the program's most enduring achievement.

For information on admission to Notre Dame Prep, please click here.

Comments or questions? mkelly@ndpma.org

About Notre Dame Preparatory School
"At Notre Dame Prep, we inspire our students to become the best versions of themselves. We challenge them through an experience of academic excellence, focused on active, project-based learning. We invite them to explore a world of opportunities beyond the classroom. We guide them as they grow in spirituality within a community strong in its Catholic and Marist identity."

Notre Dame Preparatory School is a private, Catholic, independent, coeducational day school located in Oakland County. Notre Dame Preparatory School's upper school enrolls students in grades nine through twelve and has been named one of the nation's best 50 Catholic high schools (Acton Institute) four times since 2005. Notre Dame Prep's middle and lower schools enroll students in pre-kindergarten through grade eight. All three schools are International Baccalaureate "World Schools." NDP is conducted by the Marist Fathers and Brothers and is accredited by the Independent Schools Association of the Central States and the National Association of Independent Schools. For more on Notre Dame Preparatory School, visit the school’s home page at www.ndpma.org.