During my freshman year, especially in the fall semester, I was nervous about how making friends would work in college.
In high school, you see the same people in your classes every day, which makes building friendships feel easier. But coming to college, I quickly realized it’s different.
In college, not only do you have to be more intentional about making friends, but you also have to think about the kinds of friends you want to surround yourself with. During my first few weeks at Harvard, I attended a lot of club events to explore different communities and see what I might enjoy being a part of. Soon, I realized that joining clubs and student organizations is one of the best ways to make friends. It allowed me to meet people who shared my interests, and others who introduced me to extracurricular activities I had never tried before.
In Part One of this blog series, I talked about my experience joining the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra and performing in Sanders Theatre, and how it was important to me that music remained an equal part of my college journey. So, coming in, I knew I wanted to join several great orchestras. That’s how I decided to not only be part of the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra but also the Bach Society Orchestra.
The Bach Society Orchestra is Harvard’s largest student-run orchestra, entirely staffed, managed, and conducted by undergraduates. The orchestra rehearses and performs in Paine Hall, a concert hall tucked inside the Music Building behind the Science Center, not far from Harvard Law School. At first glance, Paine Hall may not stand out the way Sanders Theatre does. It doesn’t have soaring ceilings or stained glass windows—but it holds a special place in my heart.
This is the place where I not only made some of my closest friends, many of whom are passionate about music, but also connected with students pursuing a wide range of fields, as well as upperclassmen who are always eager to share the student organizations they're part of, their college experiences, and sometimes even a bit of upperclassman drama!
I know I’ve talked a lot about music, but you might be wondering: What if I’m interested in music but don’t have access to an instrument or don’t know where to start?
In my previous blog, I introduced Harvard’s Music Department. In this one, I want to highlight another important resource: the Office for the Arts at Harvard (OFA).
The OFA is an amazing resource for students interested in the arts, no matter their background or experience level. They offer many opportunities, but two I personally love are the Music Lesson Subsidy Program and the Instrument Loan Program.
If you don’t have your own instrument when you come to Harvard, the OFA can help. Through their Instrument Loan Program, you can borrow instruments for the semester or year, and the process is easy and fully supported. I was able to get a cello through them, and they supported me every step of the way.
If you're hoping to take private lessons while at Harvard, the OFA also offers the Music Lesson Subsidy Program, which helps cover the cost of studying with professional instructors. It’s a great way to continue growing as a musician without worrying about affordability.
Looking back, I’m grateful I took the leap to explore different spaces on campus, even when I felt nervous. Joining orchestras like the Harvard-Radcliffe and Bach Society not only helped me stay connected to music but also introduced me to people who have become some of my closest friends. If you’re starting college and wondering where your people might be, know this: sometimes, the best friendships begin in the most unexpected places, like a concert hall tucked behind the Science Center.
