Music Is Life
Music Is Life is CWA’s arts based enrichment and youth development initiative serving students from early learning through high school. The program leverages music, rhythm, movement, and performance as vehicles for whole child development supporting cognitive growth, social-emotional learning, leadership formation, and creative expression. Designed as both an enrichment opportunity and a developmental pipeline, Music Is Life builds discipline, teamwork, confidence, and cultural pride while reinforcing academic engagement across all age groups.
Music Enrichment
(Ages 12 Months – 14 Years)
Music in all early learning classrooms and afterschool programming engage in:
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rhythm exploration,
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movement activities,
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call and response exercises,
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foundational music exposure
In our afterschool programs, students participate in structured music sessions that expand on these foundations through:
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Percussion training
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Group collaboration
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Performance preparation
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Skill progression
At the secondary level, Music Is Life culminates in the CWA High-Stepping Marching Band an energetic, disciplined performance ensemble inspired by the tradition and excellence of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) marching bands. This component emphasizes precision, showmanship, teamwork, and leadership. Students train in percussion, cadence, choreography, and coordinated movement, developing performance stamina and professional presence.
The marching band serves as both a cultural expression platform and a leadership incubator, allowing students to represent CWA at community events, parades, and showcases while embodying pride, excellence, and unity rooted in HBCU band culture