Musical Conservatories Through the Years

The earliest NSA yearbook in our archives is from 2001, and the vibe in the early 2000’s was way different then it is now. I am focusing on the musical conservatories as I look through the yearbooks for this article.

In 2001, the music was more rock based, and the musicians took their conservatory and music very seriously. The choir was very diverse and spiritually accepting; what I mean by that is that people can express how they are inside with music.

In 2009, there was a pop ensemble that worked with the band and choir and preformed pop songs. It was a class that I would say didn’t have as much pressure as other band classes due to the genre of music. Choir wasn’t as intense as it is now, but the students still had a great time in their conservatory. Orchestra had a very supportive community that was willing to help anyone that needed help, and it seemed just more connected and closer. Piano students seemed passionate about the music that they were playing. Guitar had more intense requirements to audition; then, you had to know how to play and to be able to play well, whereas now you just must show passion of wanting to play and learn.

In 2010, piano had a lot of the same systems that it does now, but a little more intense by preforming more. Band preformed at more places than they do now and had more opportunities. Choir seemed more laid back and didn’t preform as much as they do now. Orchestra was still a growing music department and unlike now, the band and orchestra department had different teachers. Guitar, a lot like now, seemed to be into rock and roll and seemed passionate about what they were doing.

Check back next quarter for more yearbook reviews!