Tuesday afternoon practices are more informal, as students make after-school adjustments to their Paterson Catholic uniforms. The burgundy V-neck sweaters come off. The sneakers come out of the lockers. Just before practice, students are playing with the stereo knob, dancing along to radio stations such as Hot 97. Curious students sneak a few taps on the drum set and keyboard.
Some girls sit in the back and braid each other's hair.
Michele Williams, the choir director, begins to play the electric keyboard. Stephenson chimes in. His rhythmic drumming makes the room come to life. TAP TAP thump thump, TAP TAP thump thump, TAP TAP thump thump, TAP TAP thump thump. The jazzy sound of the keyboard picks up tempo.