By Sophia Kiluk – Staff Reporter

Jonathan Law Choir Director Ms. Jones is filled with joy over her brand new room this year. 

Jones has been teaching at Jonathan Law for 10 years and for 16 years in the district. She got the news of the possibility of a new room at the end of last year due to the construction. 

“It was bittersweet, at first, because we had made the space a home,” Jones said. “But, very exciting about the potential with all of the space and finally, after 16 years, having one, suitable space for all the music classes I teach.”

Jones had to make many changes to adapt to the new room, but they were all additions that weren’t possible in the old room. 

“I got a huge parachute that we use for specific musical activities, especially in the peer class, and we have access to all musical instruments and space in all of the music electives classes,” Jones said. 

With the new room comes benefits like being able to fit the whole Choir in one space – which wasn’t possible with the old room. Now the Choir can have a space for combined rehearsals, getting ready for performances and field trips, etc.

“In addition, we’re near the band room so we can collaborate with the other music students because they strengthen numbers and we aren’t making sound and disrupting the building above us below us or next to us when we are rehearsing,” Jones said. “Honestly I could go on and on about the benefits of having this new space but overall it’s the general feeling and engagement of each student that walks into the room on any given day at any given time.”

Prior to this year, Jones had to travel to several rooms every day because they couldn’t have the whole Choir sing in one small space. 

“I moved into the old room the year COVID hit,” Jones said. “So I was only there for a part of the year and then we returned the next year, it was turned into another space for the room.”

Members of the Choir are also excited for the upcoming year with a new room. 

“I think it really adds to our Choir and improves it because we have a lot more room so we can have rehearsals together as a whole Choir,” sophomore Choir Board Member Samantha Hoppock said. 

Even the Choir’s newest members have been impressed with the new space.

“The room has created a safe, calm environment for all students and when you walk in, it doesn’t feel like a classroom, it feels like a good space for any and all students,” freshman Aubree O’Neil said.