Here at Pasco High School we have a big variety of different types of music programs, but what is it actually like to be a part of them?
To answer that question, I have talked to a bunch of students, who are involved with our different programs, to hear what they all think about it.
The first person I talked to was the senior Sheadan, who plays alto saxophone in our Concert Band. He mentions that he especially likes the people and the songs they get to play.
“For the most part, it feels like a very welcoming environment. Sometimes there can be criticism, but it’s really nothing to worry about,” he stated.
“I like the community,” said senior Anika, who plays cello in Chamber Orchestra and is also a part of the colorguard in marching band. “Most of my friends are in orchestra, or some type of music program, and I feel like I have met people with similar interests around me.”
She also mentions how there are people who she probably wouldn’t have become friends with, if it wasn’t for orchestra.
“That’s one of the things I love about orchestra. Orchestra has helped me develop teamwork and leadership skills,” Anika said.
She also mentions how the environment feels welcoming.
“There are different programs you can join based on your skill level, and we all make it an inclusive environment.”
Senior Jessenie, who plays flute for Wind Ensemble, tenor saxophone in Jazz 1, and snare in the drumline, says she thinks being a part of music programs in high school has given her good opportunities to perform, which she enjoys.
Freshman Adrian, who plays trumpet in Wind Ensemble and Jazz 2, states how the environment feels welcoming, and it feels easy to make friends, because people are often a part of multiple programs at once.
“Everyone does everything, so you see them all the time,” he claimed.
“I wanna play the drum set for my church,” said the sophomore Joseph, who’s a part of percussion and drumline. “So doing percussion in school has helped me gain the experience, I need to achieve that.”
He also mentions how welcoming everyone is, because every time he asks for help, he always gets the support he needs.
“In music, we all share the same goals, and we all want to achieve greatness as musicians,” he said. “I think it’s cool we share that passion.”
Freshman Alan, who plays viola in Concert Orchestra, bass in Jazz 2, and violin in mariachi, talked about how he really enjoys playing in ensembles with other people who also enjoy music.
Yaretzi, who’s also a freshman and plays trombone in Wind Ensemble and Jazz 1 and guitarron in mariachi, said that she thinks playing music is a great way to express herself and meet new people.
Fatima, a sophomore, plays violin in Chamber Orchestra and Mariachi and piano in Jazz 2, and said she really enjoys her programs because she loves learning about music. She has also met many of her friends through music.
Lastly, I talked to this school year’s lead drum major, the senior Nyl. She plays french horn in Wind Ensemble, tenor saxophone in Jazz 1, and she has also played mellophone during marching and pep band season, as well as trumpet in mariachi.
“I get to be involved in the creation of the things that I love,” she said. “I love music, and here I get to be involved in the making of music.”
“I feel like everyone is able to find their place,” she continues. “Even if everyone doesn’t necessarily like each other, we still know how to be professional. We have good boundaries.”
She also mentions how there are people in music she would’ve never known or hung out with, on the background of them being completely different people, but being a part of these music programs with them has changed that.
Personally, I am a part of Percussion 1, where I play percussion for the Wind Ensemble, Jazz 2 and Mariachi Ensemble, where I play guitar, and Concert Band where I play clarinet. I also play snare drum in the drumline.
I think being a part of multiple programs has given me a really great opportunity to gain a ton of experience with music, as well as getting a chance to play a bunch of different instruments in different groups.
I also think it’s a great way to make relations. It’s easier to make friends, since we all share this passion of music, and most of my friends I have here at Pasco High are involved with some kind of music program. I especially feel this in my jazz band, where we’ve all become really close. Being a part of these types of programs kind of feels like being a part of a family, and I would recommend to everyone to join a community like this, whether it’s music, sports, arts or something completely different.
ALSO, reminder to come support your friends at the upcoming end of the year concerts!
Orchestra concert: 5/19/26, @7 pm, PHS Auditorium
Mariachi + Choir concert: 5/21/26, @7 pm, PHS Auditorium
Band concert: 5/26/26, @7 pm, PHS Auditorium
Jazz concert: 5/28/26, @7 pm, PHS Auditorium
