Though AP Music Theory has traditionally consisted of class sizes of 20 to 25 students, enrollment this year has hit an all-time low of nine students.
AP Music Theory teacher Dr. John Felder attributes the dwindling numbers to it now being a seventh-period class that ends at 3:45 p.m. Last year, the class was held during third period, which attracted 21 students.
“Because the class is seventh period, it’s hard for students to take it,” Felder said. “It would be nice if it were earlier in the day, but even to take it seventh period is worth it.”
Although AP Music Theory was initially cut, the class was eventually placed back on the schedule after 22 students signed up for the class last spring.
Principal Paul Robinson and assistant principal Brian Safine describe the AP Music Theory situation this year as being a rare occurrence.
Although the administration tries not to hold elective classes with fewer than 20 students, most of the drops occurred in August, after students found out the class was to meet during the last period of the day.
The administration said they did not want to cancel a class after the start of the school year and after they had made a commitment to the teacher.
Though some students are hindered from taking a seventh-period class because of commitments to sports and other extracurricular activities, students like sophomore Deyshna Pai say they are thankful that they took the class.
“It’s that class that I really look forward to at the end of the day,” Pai said. “It’s definitely a challenge, but it’s one that I am happy to take.”
Pai likes having this year’s small class.
“We all know each other and I think we’ll all be really close friends by the end of the school year,” Pai said. “It’s not like an actual school class. It’s more like a small group of people who are trying to learn something.”
Although students cannot enroll anymore and the fate of the class remains in doubt for future years, Felder wishes more students could have the opportunity to take a class that could teach them so much.
“I think they would really enjoy it,” Felder said. “It’s challenging, but it’s a subject that we all love, and we’re going to listen to music the rest of our lives. There are so many fine musicians that I think they would really benefit from my class.”
