They had both played in the school's band for the last two years. Melissa was a more experienced player.

Without changing the meaning, what is the best way to change these simple sentences into one compound sentence?
For the last two years, they had both played in the school's band Melissa was a more experienced player.
They had both played in the school's band for the last two years, but Melissa was a more experienced player.
They had both played in the school's band for the last two years Melissa was a more experienced player
They had both played for the last two years in the school

Question

They had both played in the school's band for the last two years. Melissa was a more experienced player.

Without changing the meaning, what is the best way to change these simple sentences into one compound sentence?
For the last two years, they had both played in the school's band Melissa was a more experienced player.  
They had both played in the school's band for the last two years, but Melissa was a more experienced player.
They had both played in the school's band for the last two years Melissa was a more experienced player
They had both played for the last two years in the school

anonymous · Answer

A compound sentence has two independent clauses joined with a conjunction (and, but, or...). Independent clauses could be sentences on their own.