WHATELY — Bright notes from an alto saxophone drifted on a crisp breeze early Wednesday, over the low rumble of two school buses idling outside Whately Elementary School, as bundled young students skipped down the sidewalk to morning classes.

Seated at a picnic table beside the front door, music teacher Steve Damon finished playing “Fly Me to the Moon,” turned a page of sheet music, and started another song. Soon, a small crowd of children and parents gathered.

“He’s already three or four songs in — this is the first set,” said Principal Peter Crisafulli, standing at the door greeting students.

Every Wednesday morning for about four years, since becoming a music teacher at the school on Long Plain Road, Damon has serenaded children on their way into school.

“It’s not a recording. It’s live music, someone playing for them,” said Damon, who has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in music education…