Melissa High School could be made immensely better if it had an orchestra. MISD is being deprived of its opportunity to offer students a music elective other than band. There is no better time to integrate an orchestra into the electives offered to students in the school district than right now because the new high school is being constructed and will hopefully be done in time for the graduating class of 2019.

With the construction of the new high school, there is an opportunity for new ideas and electives to be integrated into the options that MISD offers. If enough students want orchestra to be offered at the high school, then we could choose a student representative to talk to Mr. Wooten about getting it passed to be an elective choice for the 2017-2018 school year.

Students on the high school campus would love to have the opportunity to be involved in a musical elective other than band, such as orchestra. Melissa High School student Rosie Ruiz said, “Yes, of course Melissa needs an orchestra. I think music needs to be incorporated into everyone’s lives. Orchestra is a fun alternative for students to get involved in other than band. Strings are the thing man!” Rosie is one of several students who has shown significant interest in the development of an orchestra.

Orchestra would be beneficial for band members, too. MISD could start a “full band” which is where orchestra members and band members join together to learn a collection of pieces that they later perform for judges or an audience. This would be good for students because it teaches them to learn how to play along with other instruments and can prepare them for college level band.

Starting an orchestra would be great for MISD and now is the perfect time to incorporate it into the electives offered because of the construction of the new high school. Orchestra is something that many students are passionate about and would love to see added to our school. So come on folks, let’s orchestrate an orchestra!