No Orchestra is the Pits

​Kristina Casubolo

PrideTime Reporter 

Annalize Bazzano (‘19) (left), Rachel DeLucia (‘19) (right)

For years, the plays at BMHS have had live music, and not just from the singing cast. Students from the orchestra and band audition every year to be involved in the play. Their goal? To make it into the pit orchestra and provide live music at every show; a life-changing experience that allows them to meet new people, learn new techniques and styles of playing, and more. However, this year, to the disappointment of many in the music department, we almost didn’t have a pit.

Annalise Bazzano (‘19), the first chair violinist and concertmaster in our orchestra, explained, “They [the music teachers] weren’t sure if Benson was going to want to do it [direct the pit] and they didn’t want to hire somebody else to do it.” Having participated in the pit for the past four shows, Bazzano went to the music teachers multiple times and fought hard to make sure we had one for this year’s show.

Annalise Bazzano said, “I thought it was really unfair that they were ostracizing two-thirds of the music department and they were tailoring to only one part of it. The music department and drama department isn’t just choir. If they didn’t have a pit, they wouldn’t be allowing so many kids to do something that they absolutely loved. I couldn’t imagine not being in pit my senior year.” Bazzano continued, “Personally, I really love pit. I think it’s a fun, cool and different way to play than I’ve ever experienced. You’re playing music that you know relatively well and if you really love a show, having the opportunity to play that music is incredible because it’s like your dream coming true.”

However, being a musician isn’t one’s only option to being a part of the pit. In addition to auditioning for pit, Rachel DeLucia (‘19) has also earned the position as this year’s Student Pit Director. She said of her role, “It’s like an assistant to the teacher. Basically, I make sure everyone has the music, including hired professionals. I spent a few days making copies of all the audition music, I am also responsible for getting the word out so that people know when auditions are.” DeLucia also informed me of the requirements of pit; that musicians have to pay dues and sign a contract after they’ve auditioned and been selected for the pit.

Like Bazzano, DeLucia was affected by the idea of not having an orchestra. “I was upset. I wanted to do the pit, it’s my senior show,” said DeLucia.

​Both DeLucia and Bazzano value the pit orchestra and recommend it to anyone who is interested. “It’s a really fun experience that you’ve never done before and that you’ll probably never do even if you play music in college, you might not ever play in a pit again. Being in pit puts a little vitality back into your playing and gives you a whole different comprehensive view on how to play music,” said Bazzano.