by Riley Voss

All throughout my time at Tremper High School, I have been involved in music. I have sung in many different choirs and experienced a lot of what the Tremper Music Program has to offer. However, one thing that I have noticed throughout my time doing music at Tremper is that the Music department does not get a lot of recognition from the school for the amazing things that they have done.

At the Pep Rally on September 30th, each sport that is available at Tremper got a special shout out for all that they have done. From football to girls golf, each sport was recognized and appreciated for what they do. However, the music programs of Tremper were left unnoticed and unappreciated. It was almost as if they didn’t exist at all. So many students work tremendously hard, constantly practicing their instruments and singing until their lungs give out so that a worthwhile performance can be put on during the concerts. However, this tireless effort and dedication is often left unrecognized by the school. When students from Band, Orchestra, and Choir alike put on an amazing performance in concert, or do exceptionally well during Solo and Ensemble competitions, they get no recognition for their achievements over the morning announcements or at pep rallies. These students, who may have no interest in sports but excel in their musical endeavors, are not acknowledged for their incredible performances and achievements in the music department. Meanwhile, every sport offered at Tremper gets a special announcement when games are coming up, or when students place highly in their respective competitions. The students who participate in music deserve to be celebrated in the same manner for working so hard and doing so many extraordinary things. These students, such as myself, work so diligently to provide an amazing performance, and deserve more appreciation for everything they have accomplished.

In addition to the students feeling underappreciated and underrepresented, the department itself is also often left to the wayside, as they are given little to no budget for sheet music and materials for music making. Often the money needed to purchase music and materials to further the learning process must come from other sources, as the school does not offer the music department money for what they need to excel. This represents a huge underappreciation of the Band, Orchestra, and Choir programs as they struggle with the lack of funds to further students’ musical education. While the sports teams are given huge amounts of money for new uniforms and equipment, the music programs are left unnoticed and deemed less important than unnecessary luxuries such as new football uniforms.

The music department at Tremper is a beautiful thing that gives students the opportunity to express themselves and create wonderful music together. However, it is often the case that the Band, Orchestra, and Choir are heavily underrepresented and underappreciated in the Tremper community, with a lack of recognition of achievements and a lack of budget for the necessary materials to excel in music making.