Dear incoming freshmen,

I know freshman year might seem like your most awkward transition yet, but don’t worry — the stories of your countless upperclassmen suggest that you will also ace your freshman year like a pro. Luckily, the art program at Lexington High School takes pride in being particularly diverse, so whether you call yourself a theater kid, orchestra kid, band kid, chorus kid, jazz kid, a cappella kid, fine arts kid, or someone who likes to sing in the shower, you belong here. Here’s a warm welcome to LHS Arts.

The arts at LHS can be broken down into three major categories: Art and Design, Music, and Drama. That doesn’t mean you can’t mix and match, though! For example, you can choose to take orchestra and a fine arts class during the same semester, assuming your schedule permits.

Starting with the Art and Design courses — in your freshman year, you should take one of the four Studio or Foundations classes. These serve as prerequisites for more advanced courses such  as Drawing, Ceramics, Photography, and Video Game Design. And trust me, you’ll be thanking me when you’re able to get your school art credits by taking the specialized or advanced classes you’re truly interested in.

Now on to music. If you are someone who plays an instrument (voice included) or dreams of playing one (my dream instrument is the hammer in Mahler’s Sixth Symphony, and you can’t convince me otherwise), this part of the article is for you. Here at LHS, we have several programs dedicated to music: orchestra, band, chorus, and other electives (AP Music Theory, Mixtape Anatomy, music history courses, etc.) are standard classes, and smaller ensembles like Jazz Combo and a cappella groups provide opportunities for extra practice and group bonding. Ensembles generally have prerequisites or hold auditions, ensuring that everyone has a suitable group of peers to make music with. The orchestra and band programs each have three different ensembles, the choral program has five, and LHS boasts seven different student-led a cappella groups.

If you’re not too intrigued by the idea of auditioning for ensembles, consider the trips! In recent years, orchestra, band, and chorus students have had the chance to perform at venues all over the country, including Hawaii, Florida, Washington D.C., and…wait for it…Spain! 

Now it is finally time to visit our drama friends. Drama electives include your traditional Foundations of Drama classes, as well as Public Speaking, Playwriting and Directing, and Technical Theater. Many theater kids participate in the annual fall play and the spring musical, both large-scale LHS productions that require a crew, pit orchestra, costumes, and tech in addition to actors to make it to opening night.

This year, try to immerse yourself in the creative processes happening all around you. Take a moment to admire the artwork exhibitions in the main hallway — pull up to a cappella jams, theater productions, and other instrumental concerts — and encourage your fellow artists! Regardless of what you choose to pursue, remember that there is a place for you at LHS. All artists share the same passion and drive to create something beautiful. We welcome you to join our LHS community as we grow together.

I will be cheering you on from the sidelines.

Good luck!

Ella