ORCHESTRA 

Laura Perry (10)

How did you get involved in orchestra?

“I got into orchestra mostly because my parents and all of my family are musicians [and] string players for work; it was always expected for me to play an instrument, so I started piano at age four, and then joined orchestra in fifth grade, playing the double bass.”

What is your favorite thing about orchestra?

“My favorite thing about orchestra [and] playing the bass in general has always been the community. It’s such a small group of kids and you get to know each other really well.”

What has been the hardest thing about making orchestra virtual?

“The hardest thing is not being able to play together live. All we can do really is work on our individual skills for now, and hope for COVID to end so we can get back together safely.”

What do you like best about virtual orchestra?

“What I’ve liked best about virtual orchestra has been the effort the teachers put in to give us things to do, and keep us playing our instruments! […] I am surprised how organized it has been, and can definitely give big props to the teachers or all the music electives for being able to adapt so quickly to the circumstances at hand.”

CHOIR 

Eve Downie (11)

How did you get involved in choir?

“I started singing because my brother was in a lot of musical theater, and I thought it was really cool”

What is your favorite thing about choir?

“I love connecting with other people in a choir and singing together; it really builds friendships.”

What has been the hardest thing about making choir virtual?

“The hardest part has definitely been not being able to sing with anyone and not feeling motivation to sing anymore.”

What do you like best about virtual choir?

“I really don’t like the fact that we’re not able to sing, but I do find the music theory things we’re learning about interesting.”

BAND 

Allison Krcma (11)

How did you get involved with band?

“I got into band since both of my brothers were in band, and I was always interested in playing an instrument. I got into band specifically in sixth grade after we got to try different instruments in fifth grade.”

What is your favorite thing about band?

“My favorite thing about band is the community. Mr. Schmidt is such a positive role mode,l and some of the best experiences I’ve had are from band and my friends I made in band.”

What has been the hardest thing about making band virtual?

“The hardest thing about band being virtual is playing. I’m not nearly as motivated to play trumpet as much as in person because you miss out on so much by not being able to play with and for other people.” 

What do you like best about virtual band?

“The thing I’ve liked best about virtual band is that I’ve gotten way closer to people in my section and I made new friends because of it.”