Searcy High School has not always had an orchestra, but in the past few years the relatively new program has flourished.

An annual Orchestra Dinner has been started to help raise money and awareness for the program.

“Dinner with the orchestra is a fundraiser to help raise money for the orchestra, so we can buy new instruments and give scholarships to students,” said freshman Chesni Raibley.

“Dinner with the Orchestra is basically where we sell tickets for dinner and we play while people eat their dinner,” said sophomore Jessica Reynolds.

A raffle was held in addition to the ticket sales to bring in a little extra money. A silent auction was held also, with prizes donated by people around the community. Objects from paintings to t-shirts to stuffed animals were available for auction.

Sophomore Parker Hamm has high expectations for the future of the orchestra.

“I think as the years go on we’ll be able to buy more instruments and be better than the band,” said Hamm. 

The theme for the Orchestra this year is “Bigger. Bolder. Brighter.”

“Our orchestra is going to get bigger and bigger.  We are going to join the high school orchestra so we are going to have big groups. People will keep joining, and we will keep having these fundraisers,” said sophomore River Watson.

Also going along with the theme, the cafeteria was set up with elaborate decorations in bright colors.

Bouquets of orange, green, blue, pink, and yellow balloons filled up the cafeteria, but the colorful confetti on the tables really put the decorations over the top.

The orchestra, though new to Searcy, has made quite a name for themselves around the school and is steadily growing.

Upcoming concerts from the orchestra will be held as a chance to show their talent to the community.