Music is a special, unique performing art at Berkeley High School. There are a wide range of classes and clubs that offer different types of music, ranging from jazz, to classical, to musical theater, and many more. Whether a student is hearing the jazz band play while walking into school on a late start Monday, or hearing hip-hop through the outdoor speaker heading back to class after a busy lunch period, the school is alive with sound.
But what draws students to the music programs at BHS? Maybe it is the diverse variety of classes that are offered, or maybe it’s the chance to connect with such a tight knit community, or maybe it’s simply the feeling of joy from the opportunity to create beautiful sound. Through music, BHS students are able to merge their creative pursuits with academic innovation.
AP Music Theory is one of the most special, difficult, and technical classes that BHS has to offer.
“I think it’s a really good challenge. I feel like the class pushes me in terms of my music thinking a lot,” Armana Aradom said, a BHS junior who is taking AP Music Theory, “It’s made me a much better musician in the short time that I’ve been in the class.”
AP Music Theory gives students that already have previous musical knowledge the opportunity to hone their technical skills through advanced lessons and interactive activities.
“Just last week, we had the chance to produce our own soundtrack or song using this music program called Flat. It was super fun, because I’ve never really had experience of composing before, so being able to do that and having the support of the classroom was really cool,” Aradom said.
Another more popular musical opportunity at BHS is the jazz band. To be in the band, freshmen simply sign up for the class, while other grades attend auditions that take place at the end of the year that place students in the band for the upcoming year. There is an ensemble and four other bands, all playing a variety of songs, while honing their skills in jazz musicianship.
“My favorite part of being (a part of) Berkeley High jazz is that I get to be in an environment where I get to play music with my friends,” BHS junior Sierra Lyon said, “It’s nice to have a break in my schedule where I can just have fun and play music.”
There are many aspects of the jazz band that make it so unique, including the large selection of incredibly talented musicians, and the abundant resources the program has to offer, including skilled teachers.
Like many of the music programs at BHS, the students in the jazz program have a variety of musical ability, ranging from freshmen just starting out on their musical journey, to seniors who have practiced their instruments for years who want the chance to perfect their technique.
Orchestra is another very popular musical endeavor at BHS. It is host to musicians of many different instruments with varying range of difficulty. There is an option for zero period orchestra, which is more of an entry level class, and there are also orchestra classes during the day that require more background knowledge. “I really appreciate the community in orchestra, because everyone is really supportive,” Adalilly Chu said, a violist in the orchestra. “It’s really fun being on stage and getting to perform.”
The Chamber Orchestra is unique is because it is a class that allows its students to go on tour, performing in different places across the country. This year, the orchestra is going to Hawaii to perform, and BHS music students are very excited for the opportunity. “We’re very lucky because we have such cool opportunities to tour and go to so many cool places to perform, so everyone really appreciates that,” Chu said.
There are endless choices for music programs at BHS, including a wide range of student-led clubs devoted to music, concert band, orchestra, winds, and more. Due to the abundance of music programs, and the specific opportunities that come with each individual program, BHS music is very unique. The ability for students to create bonds with one another while enjoying the beauty of music is special, and with the wonderful teachers and resources, the BHS music program has so much to offer to aspiring student musicians.