For years, members of Edison High School’s orchestra have rehearsed nearly shoulder-to-shoulder in a small classroom, carefully stepping around instrument cases that often covered much of the floor. The program’s growth has made the non-soundproofed, storage-challenged space difficult to manage.

Now, that is finally changing.

As part of Edison Township’s $100 million district-wide expansion plan, a major renovation is underway to transform the environment of the orchestra room. The project, designed by SSP Architects, includes a 3,568-square-foot addition crafted to meet the needs of the program. The new facility, once completed, will feature four professional-grade, soundproof practice rooms, as well as more space for instrument storage

The impact of the current limitations has been felt by students daily.

“Since we don’t have our own lockers for our instruments, we often fill the wall shelf, and the rest builds up on the floor,” said Irene Choe ‘27, the orchestra’s student teaching assistant. “This made it difficult for people to walk around in the back, even though not even half the people in the orchestra can fit in one classroom.”

Storage has been more than an inconvenience. With racks for only 40 instruments, many students resorted to storing violins and violas on the floor, under chairs, or stacked in the back of the room. The tiered flooring made vertical storage unfeasible, and alternative spaces around the school raised concerns about security, damage, and lost instructional time.

Orchestra teacher Ms. Brittney Milicia noted that inconsistent temperature and humidity control caused recurring damage to instruments, “including cracked wooden bodies, warped bridges, and swollen tuning pegs, resulting in costly repairs each year.”

This was especially concerning for students with personally owned instruments, sometimes of significant value.

During the ongoing construction, orchestra students have been utilizing the choir and band rooms. While this temporary arrangement has required flexibility from everyone involved, it has also highlighted the collaborative spirit within the music department.

“The choir students and teachers have been very welcoming,” said the orchestra’s treasurer, Shannon Somes ‘27. “While there have been occasional scheduling conflicts, of course, the overall experience has been friendly and positive.”

The new addition represents more than just extra square footage, as it is a significant investment in the arts at Edison High. With dedicated areas for rehearsal and practice, music students will be able to refine their skills, collaborate with peers, and fully engage in their musical development. Instrument and music storage will also improve significantly, with dedicated lockers for approximately 100 violins/violas, 10 basses, and 14 cellos.

In fact, anticipation is growing among students and staff.

“This new space will provide the orchestra with a permanent home designed to meet the needs of students and the program as a whole,” said Milicia. “Students will finally have an environment that supports both individual growth and ensemble excellence.”

Milicia is deeply grateful for the patience and support shown throughout the renovation process. She, along with students, is hopeful that the long-awaited new space will have a transformative impact on the orchestra program.