Mondays after school, the empty hallways at DeWitt Perry Middle School hum with an unexpected sound: the soft strains of violins, violas, and cellos. Most students have gone home, but a special group of staff members stays behind to switch roles, trading lesson plans for music stands during staff orchestra practice.

Eric Chui, now in his 14th year as Perry’s orchestra teacher, said the idea for a staff orchestra grew out of a parent orchestra project he observed in another district.

“I wasn’t quite ready to start with parents,” Chui said. “I thought, who else could I teach? Our teachers!”

With the help of assistant director Tap McIntosh, Chui surveyed interest across campus. In the program’s early years, nearly 25 staff members signed up, and participation has continued with a mix of returning and new musicians.

“We never know who to expect,” Chui said. “But whoever shows up, I’m ready to teach.”

To remove barriers, both directors ensured there was no cost to participate. Staff members borrow instruments, accessories, and method books from the school’s music classes and gather on Monday afternoons once after-school duties end.

“It’s something to look forward to at the end of the day,” McIntosh said. “The cherry on top of a Monday.”

While some musical concepts come more quickly to adult learners, McIntosh noted that flexibility is key.

“Sometimes joints don’t move the way they used to,” he said. “But we always find a way to make it work.”

Taking part in the class developed a culture of mutual support among teachers, where they feel comfortable asking questions and offering encouragement. Chui explains each concept while McIntosh moves between rows, adjusting tuning and bow placement. 

On December 3, the class participated in the annual holiday cluster concert alongside orchestra students from Perry, Field Middle School, and Turner High School. As the date approached, excitement and nerves grew among the staff musicians, but the moment was deeply rewarding.

“It was exciting — and humbling — to be really bad at something and have to work hard to improve,” said Mattie Arnold, a Perry science teacher. “This experience was fun, meaningful, and something I’ll always remember.”

After the concert, Chui reflected on what he would tell other campuses considering organizing a staff orchestra.

“Go for it,” he said. “It’s a powerful way to build connections you might not otherwise have.”

The semester may have ended, but the harmony remains. As this year’s orchestra T-shirts read: “The goodness of a symphony is not the harmony by the composer, but how alive the orchestra brings these notes.”

At Perry Middle School, the staff isn’t just playing music — they’re building community, one note at a time.