Robin’s Nest was able to host an interview with the now graduated Yash Mittal, who is currently attending the University of Texas. First interviewed back in May before school was out, Yash was able to reflect on his years of participating in fine arts while in high school. Yash has been involved in Orchestra since the third grade, was active in the Youth Orchestra of Lubbock, and was a part of Chamber orchestra at Lubbock High School his junior and senior year. In Yash’s perspective, fine arts provide amazing friends and allow you to grow in your knowledge.
For Yash, the social opportunities his fine art provides is the most enjoyable part of participation. He believes that the main advantages of doing extracurricular activities include “being able to be around people that share your interest” and being able to simply enjoy the presence of others. Students of all levels of orchestra are able to interact with each other and become united “through the common areas where we just have fun.” When asked of his favorite memory while in orchestra, Yash couldn’t name just one. Instead, he reminisced on various times in which, during rehearsals, the members of the orchestra went out to lunch and enjoyed the gift of one another, always having a good time. Through orchestra, Yash has grown to be close friends with his fellow musicians. Those he already knew, he has been able to see “through a new light” and is thankful for the opportunity of “interacting with them through a new means.” Yash went on to say that being able to “be united with a common purpose” allows people to “expand their roots while being able to “enjoy what they love.”
There is also unique knowledge that can be acquired through orchestral experience. Yash upholds that the orchestra has taught him that fine arts can give him insight into how others live their life. He claims the experience allows you to relate to other musicians and, in working with them, “you get an idea…what other people’s lives are.” Orchestral experience gives him an understanding of “a new perspective into the world of music and just how it functions in relation to how people live through it.” When asked to use a singular word to describe orchestra, Yash chose “exciting”—there’s “always something to do in orchestra…especially during competition season” in which “there’s always something to work on.” Yash adds that the orchestra teacher has a positive impact in the lives of the students as well. Mr. Anaya is the conductor of the Lubbock High Orchestra, and he’s very caring for those he instructs. “He honestly loves conducting and loves playing his instrument,” Yash says. Mr. Anaya spreads his happiness to all, and has the ability to be relatable and very down-to-earth. He is humble in that “he doesn’t place himself on a high pedestal.” Yash credits Mr. Anaya as another reason that orchestra is enjoyable is because he is able to lead and makes everyone in the orchestra feel better about their performance. “All this just motivates us to perform well for him since he believes in us,” Yash remarks, “so we have to fulfill that belief for him.”
To anyone who may be interested in orchestra, Yash advises them to try it out. He simply states something we can all learn to embrace: “You don’t know what you don’t try.” Yash views fine arts as an opportunity for us to unify and practice empathy. As Yash comments, life without fine arts would be a lot more boring. In conclusion, fine arts encompass a wide array of enjoyable qualities by providing socialization with those who share interests and also allows individuals to take on new perspectives.
This article was written by Savannah Trevino. Savannah is currently a senior at Lubbock High School. Aside from Robin’s Nest, she also enjoys participating in UIL Ready Writing, NHS, and Model UN.
This article was edited by Helen Xie. Helen is currently a junior at Lubbock High School and is involved in many extracurriculars in addition to volunteer work, including Model UN and Robotics.
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