Despite the Wachusett Regional’s large student body, several elective programs have struggled in recent years to boost enrollment. According to music educators, participation in these programs has declined noticeably since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Music teacher David Lookwhy, who has taught the Music in Film, Orchestra, and Beginner Guitar courses for the past five years offered some reasons as to why registration may be low.
“The struggle to recruit students is definitely due to competing and conflicting electives, because there are just so many other choices for students,” said Lookwhy. “Plus I believe the [music] programs take a lot of time and there are some students who have conflicting schedules with music electives,” said Lookwhy.
Sophomore Kiley Kruger agreed, “I think the problem started with COVID. It’s also sort of a commitment most students aren’t willing to take, I guess,” said Kruger.
WRHS music teachers are currently working to increase awareness of the opportunities available in the music department.
Lookwhy has expressed ideas to try to gain more students in classes.
“We’ve been trying to start at the middle schools and drum up interest within the eighth graders,” said Lookwhy.
Some district middle schools don’t even offer programs such as orchestra at all.
Junior Anna Mangum, a student in the band, recalls her lack of options in Central Tree Middle School.
“Yeah, we kinda just had generalized classes like chorus, band, and a few others,” said Mangum.
According to the music department, offering more options for middle schoolers may help increase interest in the music program, especially after the effects of COVID-19.
Freshman Brianna Kesse said that though middle schools may provide fewer electives, the Regional can be very welcoming, “Wachusett’s just very open to freshmen so it helped me get into chorus after the break,” said Kesse.
Senior Pepper Rondeau, an Honors chorus student, added how she believes joining a music elective can be a turning point in someone’s life.
“If you love singing and you’re hesitant to join, I’m telling you, just do it. You have nothing to lose,” said Rondeau.
