New high school orchestra director Zane Lowry kicked-off the school year with the traditional opening social of the combined orchestras of West Jordan and Copper Hills High Schools.

“It gives a chance for the students to get to know each other better and make new friends so that we can be more united as a combined orchestra program,”
Lowry said.

Because the orchestras at both high schools are small, they have functioned as a combined orchestra program under the direction of Jenna Baumgart for the past 19 years. Lowry was hired this year to continue running the combined program.

“I want to fill her shoes and not mess it up too much,” Lowry, a first-year teacher, said. “She established a really awesome program and so I’m trying to keep that momentum going.”

At the opening social, students played games, ate food and got to know each other better. They also put notes, trinkets and drawings into a time capsule which will be sealed until the closing banquet in
the spring.

“When it is opened, students will have the opportunity to reflect on their personal and musical growth,” Lowry said. “It’s just a fun way for students to look back and see how far they’ve come since the start of the year as well as share memories with
each other.”

Orchestra Councilmembers were pleased with the good turnout at the opening social of both orchestra and non-orchestra members. Their goal is to promote the orchestra program to increase support from the student body and the community with more socials and more social media engagement.

“Orchestra needs to be more noticeable, because it’s starting to fall away,” CHHS Orchestra Councilmember Emery Keyes said. “I’ve noticed that people aren’t into classical music anymore and I think that’s why our job is so important.”

Students are excited to work with Lowry to continue to grow the
orchestra program.

“He’s new and it’s different, but he’s doing such a great job,” CHHS junior Zoe Rakich said. “He’s come into this orchestra that has already been something—it’s already a group, we’ve already worked together—so I want us all to have that connection that we had with Ms. B and work on that, but I also just think our goal is to grow as a community in the school.” 

Lowry splits his time between the two high schools. The orchestras practice the same pieces separately and then come together to rehearse before giving a combined performance.

Benjamin Wride, a WJHS cellist, said the unique situation gives student musicians the opportunity to learn from each other when they meet together.

“It helps a lot with your tone and your musicality,” he said. “You’re able to pick out what they’re doing wrong, but because they’re doing something else right, you might also be able to tell what you’re doing wrong. It’s really helpful, because in different schools, you’re going to have different problems.”

WJHS cellist Kassandra Turner, a sophomore, said she likes the community the combined orchestra creates.

“Being around a bunch of different people, who all come from different backgrounds and have different interests, all coming together to make one giant symphony or piece of art—it really brings you together,” she said.

Lowry plans to increase the number of combined concerts and activities this year. The first combined orchestra concert is Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. at Copper Hills
High School. λ