Dear Shaye Lee,

I stumbled upon an old article of yours in my collection of Records that praised the school’s unique farm team [“So You Think You Can Farm?,” Vol. CXXV, No. 9]. Although I myself have never been a “FFEATer,” I commend your heroism in celebrating its many enjoyable attributes and deeming it the best co-curricular on campus. However—while I certainly appreciate the simple pleasures of picking potatoes and collecting chicken eggs—I beg to differ. I believe you have overlooked the most excellent co-curricular of all: music.

You may doubt my neutrality, as I am one of those music kids who practically lives in practice rooms and listens to Rach 2 during study hall, but hear me out! Music is the perfect co-curricular to get the best of everything that Hotchkiss (and our $70,000 tuition) has to offer.

For those who are already immersed in the art: what could be more relaxing than having hours of time in the afternoon to practice? Imagine dragging yourself to a practice room on a dark and stormy Monday afternoon after a class-packed day and an intense Ultimate Frisbee practice. On top of that, you’re now postprandial from your Michelin-star stir fry.

Exactly. You won’t be practicing that afternoon. Or the next. And soon, the one grade you shouldn’t be worrying about brings your report card down, sending you into the neverending rabbit hole with what I like to call AVSD (academic victim stress disorder). Why not make your already difficult Hotchkiss life easier and more enjoyable?

For those who have never stepped foot in the music wing: now’s your chance! Amid our busy boarding school student routines, music as a therapeutic method of decompression is a perfect way to improve your wellbeing. Whether it’s learning a new song using the forbidden Simply Piano, or improv singing about your horrible math test grade, a music co-curricular is the perfect way to unwind.

And you don’t need to spend all your time in the practice room as a music co-curricular student. After a little practice, you can go gymming, play sports with friends, or maybe even take a walk to the farm. Music also leaves time for you to try new clubs and attend events like Junior Bearcats’ Reading Buddies. Additionally, the flexibility of music also allows you to skip practice once or twice a week to catch up on that English essay you’ve been procrastinating on (no need to run to the Health Center before sports).

Shaye, you mentioned one of the main reasons you love FFEAT is the picturesque farm landscape, writing that you “sincerely cannot think of a single location that parallels the natural beauty of the farm.” While I too am astounded by Fairfield Farm’s rolling hills, another place where one can appreciate our beloved campus without the splendid aroma of cow manure is in Elfers Hall overlooking the pristine Lake Wononscopomuc. What better way to end the day than to practice in Elfers while the sunset reflects off the mirror-like lake?

I do agree that FFEAT is one of Hotchkiss’s most admirable features. I appreciate the opportunity to touch grass and contribute to the school’s sustainability mission. However, I believe these attributes are not unique to FFEAT alone, as students can still volunteer and help at the farm in their free time with a music co-curricular. Students can introduce themselves to this exceptional art form while allowing themselves time to be active, catch up on work, attend club meetings, and enjoy their high school years.

The music co-curricular is quite literally a concoction comprising many of the best opportunities available at Hotchkiss, and is, therefore, the best co-curricular on campus.

I hope this letter is your eureka moment. I look forward to seeing you in the music wing this spring!

Best,

Emma Liu