The vibrations of strings flow through the orchestra room’s double doors. Bouncing from wall to wall, the noise travels into the hallway. Behind them, junior Chloe Kirk can be found.

Kirk has been playing the cello for 10 years and it’s not her only skill. She said her deep-rooted passion for singing and playing cello, guitar, and piano inspired her to compose her own music through the Composer Fellowship Program with the LA Philharmonic. 

“[The program is] for high school students who are mentored by well renowned composers,” said Kirk. “We have three pieces per year that we are able to write, and they get performed by the Southeast Symphony and the members of the Philharmonic, which is really great.” 

Before joining Archer, she was a member of the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra and spent several years at the Colburn School of Music. When touring Archer, Kirk discovered the school’s orchestra program and has been involved ever since.

Junior Serenity Jones has been a member of Archer’s orchestra since seventh grade alongside Kirk. Both are currently enrolled in the musical composition class at Archer.

“She really helps the group with tempo, kind of demonstrating how to play something.” Jones said. “I think she has a great impact on our orchestra.”

Kirk said music has always been a key component of her life. 

“My dad was a pianist, and so I’ve been playing piano ever since I could talk,” Kirk said. ” I’ve just always loved music, and I’ve tried out a bunch of different instruments, but piano and cello are my main things.”

As she continued to grow as a musician, her passion for exploring new creative outlets grew.

“I’ve always loved performing music and orchestra in smaller ensembles. Exploring different ways of music has been really fun,” Kirk said.”Once I discovered composition, that was also a great medium to explore because I love playing music, but actually being able to create music for these amazing musicians has been really surreal.” 

Mentoring and collaboration with her peers has been beneficial for improving her technical skillset, Kirk said, especially her sight reading. 

“It’s just been really fun to share my interests with a group of people that share the same interests as me,” Kirk said. “It’s been really inspirational.”

Playing music with others has been a valuable learning experience, Kirk said. Her experience in upper school orchestra has allowed her to appreciate various aspects of writing and composing.

“I’ve definitely been able to appreciate composers more. We listen to a classical piece, and yes, it’s amazing; it makes us feel things that we don’t really think about,” Kirk said. “I think most people who aren’t musicians can hear a piece, but they don’t really think about the process that goes on behind it.”

While composing her own pieces, such as “When Gravity Falls,” she said the Composer Fellowship has positively shifted her views on music and the pieces she plays and writes. 

“It’s such a wide variety of things you can choose from to create your pieces, which has been really fun,” Kirk said. “It’s widened my range of what I feel is possible for music, which is really cool.”

Orchestra director Hannah Murray began teaching at Archer at the beginning of this school year. Murray said she is eager to perform Kirk’s music and watch her improve throughout rehearsal. 

“She’s very respectful, very professional and a very capable person,” Murray said. “I feel very confident in her as a musician in any environment.”

Kirk advises those who are looking to pursue music to avoid limiting themselves, take risks and branch out from what one may feel bound to.

“If anyone is interested in going into the music field, it’s really important to explore not solely one genre of music.  You can take inspiration from a pop song and apply it into jazz,” Kirk said. “It’s important to take inspiration. Don’t feel secluded to one genre.” 

This story was originally published on The Oracle on February 4, 2025.