O'Hara institutes new band program
By barbara tucker/[email protected]
Monday, June 14, 2026

Pat Hahn gets right to the point when he talks about his reason for joining a new music program at Cardinal O’Hara High School.

“It’s great, it’s fun and I get a credit.”

Hahn, who plays the drums, says he practices a lot and is looking forward to being in a band or orchestra.

However, if the school’s new music director, Craig Hodnett, has anything to say about it, the O’Hara sophomore will be more than a drummer, “he’ll be a percussionist.”

Hodnett, who is an accomplished bass player, brings impressive credentials to O’Hara. His resume includes the Cheektowaga Symphony, American Legion Post 264 Band, Tonawanda Clown Band, Bourbon Street Brass and Buffalo Swing Orchestra, among others. He also is a performer and lecturer for intergenerational programs at places like the Idaho Symphony, and Orange County, Calif.

He has been a high school band director and wants to turn his talents to the new music program at the Town of Tonawanda school.

“I would like to see a chamber orchestra at O’Hara, as well as a concert band and a spirit band to play at football and basketball games.”

The latter pleases Hahn, who plays football and baseball.

“It’d be great to have a band play at the games.”

Robin Rowe, also a sophomore, agrees. She’s played the cello since elementary school in the Lew-Port School District.

“I love playing the cello. When I heard about this program, I signed up,” the North Tonawanda resident said.

One of the obstacles Hodnett has to overcome is getting enough instruments for the 40 students who initially signed up.

“Some of the students have their own instruments, but we need more. So many instruments were purchased by families for their children. (The instruments) now are sitting in garages, closets, basements or attics. If people want to donate an instrument, they will still own it, but we’ll overhaul it, insure it and maintain it for them.”

Hodnett and Annette Healy, chairman of the music department, will work together on projects.

“We’re going to sponsor two teen dances. We’ll work together with vocal and music theater projects, and the brand-new handbell choir.”

Listening to Hodnett, one can catch the enthusiasm and love of music in his voice as he describes the projects he’s planned for the fledgling program.

During the coming year, he will have formal class lessons — he already has 13 scheduled — will be organizing the musical groups and working on grants and fund-raisers.

To raise money, he’s scheduled a series of four concerts: one in October, the Harvest Hoe-down; a big band concert in December, Opera for Lovers in February and the Erie County Wind Ensemble in April.

On March 5, he’s planning the Spring Blooms Arts and Crafts Show.

“We’re scheduled for school events, too, like the annual Grecchio program at Christmas and a formal concert in the spring. I was welcomed here by the administration and faculty with open arms.

“The school also has a nine-foot Baldwin concert grand piano, a rare piano, which they’ve maintained beautifully. I want the students to learn how to think through music.

“Music’s a life experience. There’ll be a lot of things happening here that will be different and unique. The potential here is amazing. It’s more than just a music program, it’ll be a fun music program.”

Contact Barbara Tuckerat (716) 693-1000, Ext. 110.
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