By Crystal Donaldson
BLOOMINGTON – Bloomington High School’s students and staff celebrated the groundbreaking of the new fine arts wing being added to the south east corner of the school’s main building.
Junior orchestra student, Fiona Ward Shaw, said she and her classmates are crammed in the current band, orchestra and choir rooms, and the new wing will give them space to enhance their craft and relationships.
“I think music really brings people together not only in the rehearsal spaces and in the performance halls, but also outside of that space,” Ward Shaw said. “I think that music is something that creates lasting friendships. I’ve met some of my best friends through the BHS music program.”
The school’s fine arts program gained so many students that Superintendent Barry Reilly said the students need an adequate space to accommodate them.
“If anybody every wondered out in the community if District 87 supports our fine arts programs… if this doesn’t say it, I don’t know what would,” said Reilly.
He also said the about 5 million dollars used to add the new wing and renovate the current music rooms will be money well spent.
“We know the research is out there that shows kids achieve to higher levels when they participate in these programs. Socially, it helps them as well,” he finished.
Reilly says contractors will work over the summer to complete the project and the keys are planned be turned over by August 1st.
Crystal Donaldson can be reached at [email protected]
