Orchestra hopes to keep the music playing in the face of budget cuts

Michael Lyday
Editor-in-Chief

The Wake County Public School System will decide the future of orchestra program funding in its November 18 board meeting. At this meeting, parents and orchestra representatives will present to the school board in hopes of improving funding for the program. Due to budget restrictions, there is a chance for all school orchestras to be cut completely.

The current state of orchestra programs in Wake County is anemic, with most middle school orchestras being cut, leaving students to take private lessons or not play. This gives high schools a lack of feeder schools for orchestra and a large talent gap which hinders smooth integration into the more rigorous high school program.

“I didn't get the chance to play in a real orchestra until ninth grade,” said junior Michael Burns. “It wasn't worth paying for lessons when I wasn't playing in school.”

“I wasn't able to play in middle school,” said senior Jody Miller. “The only way to play was to join an after school club which ended a couple years ago.”

Many orchestra students benefit from the program and find that it helps them in many ways. “It gave me a better work ethic,” said Miller. “You focus so much on playing music that you get used to focusing on everything.”

Orchestra also gives students a close-knit community and a sense of belonging. “It puts me in a place where I know everyone,” said Burns. “It’s a safe haven.”

You can sign a petition to reinstate middle school orchestra programs at https://www.change.org/p/wake-county-school-board-please-reinstate-middle-school-orchestra-feeder-programs