Music; everyone loves to listen to it.  I know many people in our school don’t care that much about the music programs here, but they moved all of the basic music classes to 5^th period.  The classes I am talking about are concert band, orchestra, and concert choir. The change was made so students could “take more than one music class” and “encourage kids to do more than one music class”.

In hindsight it does make some sense.  According to some, it would make more sense to move it to another period.

“I think it’s a good idea because it allows for extra practice time, but unfortunately a lot of classes are only offered 5^th period so many students had to pick,” said senior Grace Venatta, former flute player.

Some of the classes she’s suggesting are yearbook (print media 3), Calculus 2, Video production 3, and Spanish 5.

For me personally, I started band in 5^th grade, and it is a class that I really enjoy.  I am also involved in yearbook which is only offered 5^th period, and I wanted to do both for my senior year.

I am currently taking both classes, but since they are a day one day two class, each class is only counted as a half credit for the year.

Venatta started playing the flute in 4^th grade; and if not for this change this would have been her 8^th year in band.

“I probably would have still taken band,” said Venatta. “My schedule is pretty full but I would’ve made it work.”

She is not the only one I know that has said those exact words:  “I would have taken it”.

Band is something that you have to care about to stay in it over several years.  Some of the songs that you play are extremely difficult and take time to learn.  Once you are in the same class with the same people for several years, it becomes a part of your day that is constant/reliable and you will always know someone in that class.

“I’ll miss playing the music.  I actually enjoyed hearing our awesome band,” said Venatta.

Junior Brianna Downing, who plays flute and cello, is taking concert band and orchestra this year, which she has done in previous years.

“For me personally, it did not affect my schedule, last year I was able to do both and have a study hall in my schedule as well,” said Downing.

Anyone who is taking a music class that is 5th period knows that the music wing during that period is a lot more crowded than prior years.

“Having both concert band and orchestra during 5th period is both hectic and beneficial,” said Downing.  “There is a lot going on in our music wing during 5th period and sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to get into the locker room to get our instruments without bumping into someone trying to get their instrument as well.”

Another thing to consider with going to the classes every other day is sometimes you miss getting new music or making crucial changes to music.

“Switching back and forth is hard for me personally because I enjoy being in both ensembles and sometimes I wish I didn’t have to pick which day I am going to be in orchestra or band,” said Downing.

There’s more time to be able to play and not worry about running out of time.

“Having 5th period music classes is beneficial because, instead of having 20-30 minutes after getting all our instruments together and getting tuned and situated, we have an hour to work on more than just our music, such as our tone and articulation or bowings and shifting,” said Downing.