“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.” – Plato.
Music is arguably one of the biggest universal connectors and is represented here at Berkley High School every day. Whether it is through the provided music electives including Band, Choir, and Orchestra, or the simplicity of headphones and airpods snuck into students’ ears in class, music is everywhere we go if we take the time to listen to it. The whistle of a kettle, the soft beat of a pencil tapping paper, and the typing of keys. This raises the question: How does music influence students here at Berkley?
Playing music reduces anxiety, improves mood, and improves sleep quality, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. Junior Rebekah Kim has played the French horn since 8th grade and the trumpet since 5th grade in the Berkley Jazz and Concert Band. The band room environment is energetic and creates an inspiring and comfortable place for members. She comments, “I like starting my school day in band because it wakes you up. You go, and you play; it’s a good time.” Kim shares that being part of band class has helped her grow by working with others to create something bigger than one person could make. Kim comments that having the luxury of good programs here at Berkley is something Kim appreciates: “I appreciate all the time I get to be in a band that has enough people to be motivated and sound good.” Being in a jazz band has affected Kim’s taste in music to include artists like Chet Baker, a formal jazz musician. Kim’s high school days are motivated by her love for her band class and inspiration to keep growing in her musical talent.
Like a band, an orchestra takes time and practice to master a foreign instrument. Junior Jada Smith is in the Concert Orchestra at Berkley and has been playing the violin since 5th grade. She shares, “Being able to hear a note even in songs I listen to and knowing how to display that on my violin is so cool.” Jada describes the class as “very calm” and adds, “The fact that we all have to work together teaches us to work as a team. Having that connection bonds the group more.”
Outside of playing an instrument, the difficulty of using your voice to create music is strenuous. Junior Heiress Brame is a performer in the Berkley Encore Choir. For the past two years, she has enjoyed growing and learning more about herself through music. She commented, “[Before I joined,] I was kind of lonely and not confident before being on stage; it’s interesting to find out what we can all do.” With the help of her work on stage and the growth in her voice, Brame has built up her self-confidence through it. Brame comments that one of her favorite parts of being in a choir is “when I’m able to do a challenging piece that causes me to think about what I’m doing. Learning about tones and what makes music.” Similarly to Kim, Brame also shares that she “definitely appreciates the opportunities we have here at Berkley.”

Outside our musical programs at Berkley, many students, like junior Sa’Myah Ford, have a special place in their hearts for listening to music. Ford shares, “[Through music] I feel a sense of community. My friends and others have put me on to other songs, genres, and artists. It’s good to have people around you like that.” She continues to share the numerous genres she listens to, including rhythm and blues, country, and pop. Ford expresses that she listens to music “literally all the time.” She continues, “While I’m doing work, skincare/showering, cooking, etc.” Through artists including SZA, the music she enjoys makes her feel more productive and focused.
Whether through musical instruments like Kim, Brame, and Smith or simply loving music like Ford, music transcends through the hallways here at Berkley. The similarity tying students together creates a more full and connected school community. Music in our school is just a tiny portion of the big world that shares this commonality. So, the next time you meet someone, try to connect with them through music because the chances of bonding with them through this art form are high.