Friends Who Play Together, Stay Together

What’s the secret ingredient behind so many lifelong friendships?

For countless musicians, the answer lies in the rehearsal room.

Think about it:

How many people do you know who met their best friend in band, choir, orchestra, or a school musical?

Music ensembles are more than just places to learn notes and rhythms, they’re social ecosystems where deep, enduring friendships are formed. And it’s not just anecdotal. Research in the social neuroscience of music shows that making music together activates brain regions tied to empathy, trust, and cooperation. When we sing in sync or move to the same beat, our brains are literally wired to feel more connected to one another.

This matters in every music learning space. In school choirs, students from different backgrounds bond over shared goals. In private studios, ensemble workshops offer young learners the chance to feel part of something collective. Community bands bring people across generations into a room where music is the common language. Even online collaborations today are showing how musical connection transcends physical space.

So this International Friendship Day, let’s remember how music-making nurtures kindness, strengthens relationships, and helps young people feel like they truly belong.

Share your story!

We’d love to feature it on our socials this International Friendship Day!

Did music bring you a best friend, an unexpected bond, or a lasting community? Tell us how a musical moment sparked connection in your life or teaching. Whether it’s a classroom memory, a rehearsal-room friendship, or a student success story, we’d be honored to share it and celebrate the friendships that grow through music. You’ll remain nameless unless you tell us otherwise!