The Unharmonious Reality Samo Music Programs Since COVID-19

What happens when yearly subject requirements are changing and Samo is still facing COVID-19 after effects? The music program pays the price. 

Samo has long been recognized for its outstanding music program, but consequences of the pandemic and schedule requirements are its accessibility. 

Many students looking to fulfill their ACES requirements, the required amount of years in each subject, focus less on the music electives. The year requirements vary by subject, so while math and science require three years with four recommended, arts only require one. Samo’s variety of electives adds no help either. 

In addition to the variety of electives having an influence on incoming high schoolers, commitment does too. Samo’s nationally recognized music programs are no joke, a stark difference from middle and elementary school music classes. Considering the music classes can be a commitment from freshman to senior year, with many events and trips throughout, students might feel intimidated by the involvement it takes. 

The common denominator in the lack of participation in the music program is by far, the pandemic. Playing music, an already difficult feat, is incredibly challenging over distance learning. During distance learning, many students dropped music as a class, and are now reluctant to pick it back up in person.

The music program directors and teachers have also taken account of these changes. Jeffe Huls, Samo’s choir program director, provides insight on the reasoning behind it. 

“It is due in part to the way music was experienced during quarantine. You have to think of the nature of what we do. It's community based. It's not only making great music but making great music with others. It's not present playing into a recording. We lost people because they were not experiencing music the way you need to,” Huls said. 

However, senior student Skylar Tuckett (’23) who is a cellist in Samo’s Symphony orchestra has noticed one positive element coming from this shift. 

“Although there's been a decreasing number of students joining the music program, the underclassmen that are in the program are very committed. They're always the most prepared during rehearsals and ready to learn from our directors. The only change I’ve observed is the number of participants, but the quality of musicianship persists within the underclassmen,” Tuckett said.