Ernest Seaholm High School - Piper Yearbook (Birmingham, MI)

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Musicians Get Around Barry Manilow may write the songs that make the whole world sing, but the Seaholm Symphony Band and Orchestra play the music that makes the whole school listen. The Symphony Band perform- ed at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor for the first time ever after receiving an invitation during the 1985 District State Band Or- chestra Festival. Since the same band that earned the invitation wouldn ' t return with the same talent, director Thomas Course had to create a band that would live up to the previous band ' s reputation. Course elaborated, The Seaholm Symphony Band has always had a long record of achievements as one of the best bands in Michigan. Since we did so well in Ann Arbor, we extend- ed our reputation to next year ' s Most of the members have adjusted to the change of having just one band unlike last year when there was a symphony band along with a concert band. Senior Jonathan Teachman accepted the change as well, but pointed out, 1 think most people would want a chance to be on top of a second band instead of being on the bottom of just one band. It was very excit- ing. It was also very nerve-racking because we weren ' t just play- ing on the U-M cam- pus, we were playing in front of everyone from the campus. Julie Adkins by Craig Ciccone band. The truth is sometimes hard to swallow, especially when the truth leaves people out. No one understands the feeling of being left out better than the other side of the instrumental department, the orchestra. Conductor Victor Hickman doesn ' t blame people for not responding as well to the orchestra as they do for the band. The band plays lighter and more familiar suites and other litera- ture. Bands can play orchestal transcriptions, but it doesn ' t work the other way around. The orchestra also participated in the District State Band Or- chestra Festival, receiving first division ratings as well. So if there is a feeling of being left out, commented sophomore Bob Bird, it starts from outside of the orchestra because inside, we ' re a close group with a lot of talent - with or without the band. It definitely takes two to produce the unique Playing those bells just as fast as his hands sound which both freshmen Kate O ' Brien and can go. senior Jonathan Teachman keeps Carie Levi practice for festival repeating. I think I can. I think I can. pholo by Doug Engle P = ' by Bob Matj BAND ORCHESTRA 55

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Junior Jack Moses makes the beautiful music that earned the Seaholm Symphony Band the opportunity to play at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor ph,.iu bu Bob Maiz Okay. remarks orchestra conductor Victor Hickman, cover your left eye and read line one then cover your right eye and read line two. photo bv Doug Engle FIRST ROW Jane Ravish. Boh Bird. Dan Rang. Homayune Ghaussi. SECOND ROW: Licia Carlson. Rebecca Allred, Janis Shen. Kate O ' Brien. Kirsten Browne. Victor Hickman. photo by Elissa Sard 54 BAND ORCHESTRA

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Choirs Don ' t Slouch by Paul M Mylod Just when they thought they were ready to slouch off by enrolling in one of the Seaholm vocal music classes, Freshmen Choir and Concert Choir students soon found out that the enjoyment came only through work. The major focal point stressed upon both choirs was learning music theory and how to sight read (or sing as one reads the music) in order to create a suffi- cient musical foundation. When describing her attitude toward the Concert Choir, sophomore Kate Weatherson commented, Music theory was a pain, but it was necessary because when termi- nology was used and sight reading was enforced, we were able to understand what was going on, Though choirs may seem ex- tremely group oriented, Kristen VonBernthal disagreed, remar- king that, There was a lot of individual help. If someone wasn ' t following the proper singing techniques (breathing, posture, etc . . .) Mr. Branstrom would stop and give pointers which ultimate- ly benefited the group. The efforts put forth by the Freshmen and Concert Choirs were certainly impressive, and hopefully will set a precedent for future choirs to come. Because a lot of time was spent on the academics surrounding these vo- cal music classes, the Freshmen and Concert Choirs were only a Mr. Branstrom is an incredible musical di- rector and very un- derrated. In one se- mester he ' s done more for my singing than any other music teach- er I ' ve ever been asso- ciated with. Monica Mylod allowed two concert performan- ces; one in the winter and one in the spring. The Concert Choir had a rich quality about it this year which surprised many, including them- selves, but as Musical Director and Department Head Eugene Branstrom put it, The Freshmen choir was really the choir which improved the furthest from day one. I noticed them applying what was taught them to their singing, and it really built up their confi- dence individually as well as a group. They ' re all a great group of kids to work with and 1 foresee an incredibly well-rounded and talented Maple Chorale next year. With the spring vocal music concert creeping up quickly, the sophomore Concert Choir members repeatedly re- hearse their chosen musical number to perfection. photo by D Engle