Clover Hill High School - Ducemus Yearbook (Midlothian, VA)

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Choirs answer community requests The common concept of the school’s choir is that of singing scales in class and performing at winter and spring concerts. The choirs set out to prove this concept false by performing in many community activities. Other than their concerts, the choirs have participated in District Festival, caroled at Cloverleaf Mall, and per- formed at the opening of the Central Library in Chesterfield. “We have been very active this year in different community services,” said Well, | wonder who won? Mr. Joe Simpkins, band director, and drum-major, Mark Winckler, discuss the band's performance at the Buena Vista Band Day. The Band won lst place. Clap your hands! At the grand opening of the Central Library in Chesterfield, some members of the Clovehlier singers do some pre- performance warm-ups. 26 Performing Bands and Choirs Mrs. Virginia Campbell, choir direc- tor. “The Eighth Grade Choir and Cavalcades sang Christmas carols at the Chesterfield Nursing Home. The Cavalcades also sang for a retired citizens’ group, for several church ser- vices, and combined with the Manchester Lance Singers to give a performance for the aged and retired at Imperial Plaza.” They especially enjoyed this because, ‘‘It really makes you feel good to see those older people smiling and clapping when you sing for them. You know how much they appreciate it,” according to Mark Winckler. The Cavalcades’ most unusual per- formance was for a sorority group at the John Marshall Hotel. They had to be downtown and ready to sing at 7:30 in the morning! In many schools the choirs sing for school activities only, but again CH’s choirs proved an exception for they could be heard not only at school, but in the community.

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| The epithet “Triple Crown” could easily be applied to the drama season since three major productions crowned the season’s schedule — a first for the department. Under the directorship of new drama coach Ms. Charlene Wilton, the department added a spring show to the tradi- tional fall three-act, winter one-act schedule. With the assistance of her student teacher, Miss Suzanne Smith, Ms. Wilton began work on the fall three- act ‘“‘Reserve Two for Murder,” a period piece from the Thirties. Chosen partially because of its large cast and reliance upon audience par- ticipation, the play gradually took shape and form. ‘‘The play was terrific, which was a wonder, con- sidering the number of hams that had to be directed,’ commented drama student Dawn Sears. Without even a week’s rest, Ms. Wilton began casting ‘““Once Upon a Playground.” Again chosen because of its large cast (mostly girls), the play was Clover Hill’s entry in the district One-Act Festival. Receiving a “superior” in both the district and regional competitions, the students took the production all the way to the state competition in Charlottesville. Even before the one-act was com- pletely finished, work was begun on “Dirty Work at the Crossroads,” a musical melodrama presented in con- junction with Ms. Virginia Campbell’s As the villain twirled his moustache chorus classes. Half of the produc- tion’s cast had no previous stage ex- perience. The play was presented complete with a moustache twirling villain, a poor, put-upon heroine, and inter-act entertainment. Of course, many were the hisses and boos from the audience whenever the villain darkened the stage. In “Dirty Work,’’ Ms. Wilton was particularily pleased to use, for the first time in a drama production, stu- dent actors from every grade level, 7- 12, as well as to provide more stage ex- perience for her students by adding a third production in the spring. A busy season, but one with obvious rewards. “What be ye doin’ there, Mookie?’’ Scatterbrained Widow Lovelace (Dawn Sears) hobbles out to find her hired-hand man, Mookie Maguggins (Jay Clayton) who is concealing a let- ter town. 2 “You villain!” Ida Rhinegold (Sharon Jones) cringes at being included in the “dirty work of this unholy drama. Munro Murgatroyd (David Dee) knows he has Ida in his clutches. Performing Drama 25

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“I can’t believe it!’ Mark Winckler proudly ac- cepts his award as the best drum-major in the B Division at the Buena Vista Band Day. Joy to the World As one of the many groups who Christmas caroled during school, the Cavalcades, by adding some harmony, show that the choirs won't be outdone. “| hear wedding bells!” Mrs. Virginia Campbell, along with four Cavalcade members, Jeannie Williard, Mark Winckler, Dawn Burks, and Henry Anderson, add music to the joyous occasion of former choir member Sharon Shumaker's wedding. Performing Bands and Choirs 27