The longtime leader of the band at St. Gabriel's School is retiring.

Sister Gail Buckman has been the school's band director for 27 years. Sunday morning, the St. Gabriel's community got together to wish her well. Generations of students have learned from their sisters that behind every musician who believes in themselves, there is a teacher who believes in them first. St. . Gabriel's is one of the few Catholic grade schools in the archdiocese to have a band. Outside of school, sister Gail is the assistant director and performs with the St. . Charles municipal band.