By Tiffanie Cappello Lee

If you happen to arrive at school early on Mondays and Wednesdays, you may recognize the tunes of Haydn’s “Surprise Symphony” and Bizet’s “Carmen” flowing from the Zelman Center. These melodies are performed by our dedicated musicians, ranging from sixth graders to seniors.

Last year, Varsity and Junior Varsity Strings were two separate groups that performed completely different pieces. This year, Director Lenore Wilkison merged the groups into a single orchestra dubbed Sinfonia. To accommodate to the members’ varying skill levels, she carefully selected and arranged the selections of music.

According to Mrs. Wilkison, the most rewarding aspect about participating in Sinfonia is seeing “the way in which a group of people with instruments [can] become one massive instrument.” But the benefits of performing in an orchestra do not end there. Studies have shown that playing an instrument can help increase SAT scores and even boost confidence.

The benefits of playing in an orchestra clearly outweigh the cost of waking up earlier in the morning. If you are interested in joining Sinfonia, and wouldn’t mind raising your SAT score or overcoming stage fright while you’re at it, talk to Mrs. Wilkison. There’s always room for more people.