Jaeyoon Cha, a former student of this school, sent in this article from her new home in Texas, talking about the significant difference that the music program has compared to East.
We all know how great the East music department is. Everyone says so, right? That’s what I thought during my first and last year at East High School as a violinist in the orchestra. I took the music wing for granted, not fully appreciating the time and effort the teachers and other performers put into everything that we did. Well, now that I’m not at East anymore, I finally realize what Mr. Moose meant by saying “you guys are so lucky to be here.” Over half of the student body is involved with music in some way at East High School. Do you know how special that is?
Here, at my current school in a suburb near Dallas, Texas, the combined number of students in the three orchestras is around just eighty, nothing compared to the entire student body of more than three thousand. The marching band is big here, being state champions last year, but the orchestra? I can’t even begin to compare it to the ones at East! The funny thing is, we have a block schedule so the orchestra is an hour and a half every single day for the entire year, but it is still incomparable to East’s in quality.
It probably sounds like I’m criticizing my orchestra, but I actually am not. It has it pros and cons, just not as many “pros” as the East music wing does (although we have lots of fun “orchestra parties”). I’m mainly stating how lucky y’all are to be at at school with such an incredible music program. I am so jealous of you. Those Winterfests and legends of jazz concerts should be considered as one-in-a-lifetime events, so treat them as such! The reason for such great music ensembles at East, I think, is mainly due to the teachers of course, but also because of the body of musicians that make it. Yes, it definitely can get competitive (I mean, I play violin) but I think that was the driving force behind my efforts to improve. There just are so many people who are both supportive and inspiring all around you.
Even if you are not involved with music, I’m sure that you’ve heard these musicians play, whether it be at a coffee house, a concert, Winterfest, or any other music-related events. If you haven’t, you’re missing out. Also, for any of those who want to play an instrument but are too afraid to because it’s too “late,” seriously, just do it. Take the opportunity while you have it. You won’t regret it.
by Jaeyoon Cha
