Many new clubs have launched this school year, but the Liberty North Orchestra Leadership Team started specifically for the orchestra community here at North. Started by senior Ash Merenbloom and junior Drew Hodges, the club is meant to encourage a community feel among all three orchestras and work on retention for incoming freshmen.
“I’m the secretary for the LNOL club, so I will sometimes make forms or come up with ideas for events like workshops or movie nights. We have set up some audition workshops, had a movie night, and come up with ideas for next semester among other things. Next semester, we are hoping to set up more audition workshops, get t-shirts for everyone, and possibly set up music workshops for high schoolers and middle schoolers in the orchestra,” junior Natalie Coleman said.
The LNOL club has many different jobs that kids can do like president, vice president, secretary, and communications director to help the club be more organized and connected. Junior and Vice President Drew Hodges elaborates on the community feel and overall environment of the club.
“Seeing how much everybody enjoys interaction with each other and putting people in situations in which they are able to meet new people or get help that they couldn’t otherwise receive is heartwarming. It is just a massive family since we are all similar people who love music and trying to help each other and get to know each other,” Hodges said.
For members that are not an Officer, praise has been a common thread throughout the leadership team. Whether it’s interacting with other musicians and the friendships within the club or building relationships with younger students and middle-schoolers, members have enjoyed being in the club.
“My absolute favorite part of being part of the club is getting to know and help the middle and elementary schoolers. I love watching them get excited to be in an orchestra. They’re nervous at first, understandably, but relieving some of their anxieties – not only about orchestra but about high school in general – makes the work we do in orchestra leadership worth it,” senior Alexis White said.
