On the last day of February, the annual Arcadia Orchestras 8th Grade Social began strong with about 40 aspiring Arcadia HS Orchestra students in attendance. After introductions, an intense game of musical chairs commenced, where screams and laughs could be heard even outside of the orchestra room. The final chair came down to an intense battle between two 8th graders from First Avenue Middle School (FAMS), who circled around with unwavering determination. By the end, Sanjana Reddypogu was the sole victor!

For the next game called Mingle, which was featured in Squid Game 2, every 8th grader had to find themselves a group that met certain requirements (i.e. a group of three girls). Everyone screamed and ran about around the orchestra room, scrambling to find themselves a group to join. Unlike Squid Game, however, there were no permanent consequences to losing. 

After obtaining some food, the 8th graders played orchestra-themed Jeopardy with the following categories: AHS Orchestra, General Orchestra, Name that Song, Music Composers, and Musical Terms. This game of Jeopardy educated the 8th graders about music and more importantly, the opportunities the Arcadia Orchestras have to offer them next year. By the end of the Jeopardy, Group 4 was the final victor, with Jason Wong (FAMS) being the team carry. 

The 8th Grade Social concluded with a brief Q&A with Orchestra Council and Ms. Chen about orchestra, high school, and some silly questions. Overall, the 8th graders left the social with new friends and a newfound understanding of Arcadia Orchestra’s invaluable opportunities. If you are an 8th Grader, subscribe to the Orchestra Blog and follow our Instagram and Facebook to stay informed about our events and opportunities that await you next year!