When orchestra group photo day arrived, I had absolutely no idea how to tie my bow tie. Thankfully, orchestra director Evan Farmer came into the orchestra theory room and saw me struggling, looking like I was working with two left hands. He tied it for me right before the picture, and while he was tying it, I asked a question.

A few weeks earlier, I had heard about the Christmas Club. As a first-year orchestra student, I was very intrigued and pondered joining for a while. The idea of playing Christmas music in a club with friends and players who are way better than me sounded very fun.

While Mr. Farmer tied my tie, I finally worked up the nerve to ask him if he thought I would be able to handle Christmas Club. He said I should definitely go. Since then, I’ve gone to every single Christmas Club meeting and seen many familiar and welcoming faces.

A majority of the music played in the club is intended for highly skilled players, such as those in chamber or sinfonia orchestras. Because of the difficulty of these pieces, I’ve had to rely on friends who are in way higher orchestras for help during the club. Most of the help that I’ve needed has revolved around quicker rhythms, certain symbols and really high or really low notes that we haven’t even covered yet in my orchestra class. The friends that I rely on the most to point me in the right direction are sophomores Lily Story (sinfonia) and Piper Christiansen (chamber), who are in my beginner orchestra, trying new instruments.

Going into the club, I knew I would be the only beginner in it, and that all the music that they would be playing would be out of my league, but I still wanted to commit to it. Many of the words I hear from the conductor, and the unfamiliar symbols scattered all over the sheet music, seem like complete nonsense to me. But I still show up before school on Thursdays and after school on Tuesdays, and try my best to fit in. So, I try my best and practice at home when I can, and I’m not tied up in other things, such as writing and photography for the school newspaper or babysitting.

At times, I find myself lowering my viola from playing position after just a few measures into a piece. Sometimes I’ll shadow bow just the rhythm and not worry about the fingerings to at least try to keep up the illusion that I know what I’m doing, but usually I still can’t even keep up with that much.

Many things have made me glad to participate in the club. One highlight was right after the meeting on Oct. 28, when the orchestra president, senior Ian Ferguson, offered me an officer position in the orchestra. I was really interested in becoming an officer because I love being able to help with things behind the scenes, which is what we do before and after events like concerts and parties. It’s crazy to think that I only took orchestra for the fine arts credit.

My favorite part of Christmas Club is the culture and community, just like Orchestra as a whole. I love how easily I can get help with everything. Students from all grades and orchestras are more than willing to help me; some are even kind enough to help me with my chemistry homework. My fellow violists have been the biggest help in my orchestra journey so far.