Following the loss of Camas High School (CHS) orchestra class, Ethan Chessin, the choir director at CHS, has been working alongside a community of students to bring the orchestra back. Orchestra Club held its first official meeting Thursday, Sept. 25.
Prior to its discontinuation, the orchestra class assisted in production of the spring musicals at CHS. Without any kind of classical music organization, the theater department would be spending this school year without the proper musical resources to put on their productions. Along with complications for the theatre program, students who participated in or felt connected to the orchestra felt a loss of community after the program was cut.
“Orchestra is a way of expression outside of whatever we’re doing in class,” CHS senior Justin Chiu said. “It’s another way to interact with your classmates and people you have fun with.”
Chiu is an experienced violinist who has played in the Portland Youth Philharmonic (PYP) for the majority of his life. Although he never participated in the CHS orchestra, he plans to continue his practice by joining the upcoming Orchestra Club.
Many students who plan to participate in Orchestra Club have spent time in the PYP. This program helped form their instrumental skills, but without any easily accessible organization within CHS, it was difficult to incorporate their interests into school.
The club will be advised by Chessin and led by senior Seha Jang, with weekly meetings in the Choir room during Student Support Time (SST). Although it was their first time formally gathering, the club held a full practice with instruments.
Not only will the formation of Orchestra Club reestablish access to string musicians for school ventures, such as choir concerts and theater productions, but it will also provide an outlet for those with specific musical affinities for orchestra.
“Orchestral instruments provide a vital connection to a variety of historical musical styles in the Western tradition. What’s important is that it gets students connected,” Chessin said. “Many people who play string instruments primarily play in their home life, outside of school, as an extracurricular, or as a part of their culture. Providing an opportunity for orchestra in the school day allows people to fully embody their whole selves here at CHS, rather than splitting themselves into multiple personae.”
“I can get easily stressed, especially with academics and when I’m playing my cello or going to my rehearsal. [Orchestra Club provides me with] time to get away from stuff and actually focus on my music,” CHS freshman Jinha Jang said. “It’s nice to step away from everything and live the moment of being there. Orchestra is really fun, especially when you’re with people who all enjoy being there.”
Orchestra Club poses an opportunity for connection at CHS between musicians who otherwise struggle to find a place for their musical niche — especially after the loss of orchestra class. Additionally, the club is more accessible than the class was, since it is a small commitment that students do not need to forecast into their schedule.
The leaders of Orchestra Club hope that the club will provide students with an accessible and fun way to spur involvement in the CHS music department.
