Orchestra Club has been found at Franklin High School for over a decade, providing students with the opportunity to try new and challenging things while improving and developing skills in music.

The club has been led by music teacher Ian Kirk for 18 years, who continues to be the Orchestra Club advisor.

When asked what it is like being an advisor, Kirk said, “It’s tough because… it’s something I do apart from being a teacher…so I really depend on my club officers.”

Kirk also said that he envisions the Orchestra club as a club where the students take the lead and are responsible for planning activities and performing fundraisers.

Kirk also said that the Orchestra club and Orchestra classes are the same. He said that students who enjoy music and challenges should look into the club because it will allow them to experience getting good at something difficult. Additional opportunities the club offers are social activities and trips; this happens by coming together as a group of students who take the initiative and make things happen for the club.

Kirk said his favorite part of being an advisor for the Orchestra club is seeing students’ success and watching them lead. He closed by saying what makes the Orchestra club at Franklin unique is the student’s “high levels of dedication.”

The vice president of the Orchestra Club, Armando Parra (12), has been in office since the beginning of this school year. Parra said his experience as a leader in the Orchestra club has been pleasant because he and other leaders have maintained good communication.

Parra shared some of the plans for the Orchestra club during the 2023-2024 school year. This year’s primary goal is to get the club to Great America, which means having enough fundraising to make it possible.

“It’s really fun, actually; we have a lot of fun ideas for fundraising, and we get concerts with no charge,” Parra said when asked how he would encourage other students to join the club.