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

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By becoming relaxed before a hard day ' s work singing in 8th period Concert Choir, Amy Trerice participates in a much desired backrubbing session. phoio by D- Engle As she endea vors to psych herself up before the winter concert. Concert Choir member Erica Eichleay tries on a choir robe to check the fitting. photo by E Sard ( ' Concert Choir. FRONT ROW Margaret Benian accompanist, Laura Farrington, Monica Mi lod. ' Kirsten Sonquist. Ann Basile. Allison VanNor- ■ man. Gay Mclnally. Kathryn Hanley. Ctinstian -..Albright. Kristin McAlear. Karen Smith. Heidi [tiatcher. Amy Gibson SECOND ROW Lynn ange. Jill Boroday. Kristin Way. Amy Trerice. ' risten VonBernthal. Erica Eichleay, Sara erryman. Amy Burch, April Aronolf, Margaret Callaghan, Inga Augenbergs. Melissa Bacon, Deirdre Keating, Eugene Branstrom THIRD ROW: Brian Nettle, Matt Jackson, Phillip Eiizalde, James Mackey, Todd Seifken, Derek Oldham, Carl Rumndell, Christopher Green, Andrew Dyer. Michael Purton, Kevin King. Zachary Knutson, Joseph Arlinghaus, James Maxfield, Todd Glandt. phoio bv P Donar Freshmen Choir, FRONT ROW: Katie Schultz. Jill Link, Kristin Ogren, Sandra Song, Katie Petherick, Amy Bettisworch, Rosemary Harp. Elizabeth Palmer, Julie White, Allison Edmonds. Eugene Bran- strom SECOND ROW: Margaret Benian. Erin Robison. Leanna Labrenz. Julie Stewart. Abigail Neal. Nancy Murphy, Gina Costentino, Julie John, Emily Everson. Amy Friedman. THIRD ROW: Sarah Madden. Alison Forslund, Andrew Scripter, John Hoffman, Christian Scripter. . larcus McAs- kin. Matthew Newton. Richard Spicer, Mike Kell. Amy Perugino. photo by P. Donai FRESHMEN CONCERT CHOIRS 57

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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

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Morale Fills Chorale 0 0 by Paul M Mylod Hallelujah! describes perfectly the kind of year that Chorale experienced. Music director Eugene Branstrom, otherwise known as Huge by his students, said that the chorale really enjoyed singing. This was extremely helpful to me because with the shortened periods there was less rehearsal time, and their enthusiasm allowed them to handle more quality music litera- ture. Chorale is a class, so the 38 chorale members were required to review music theory and sight reading techniques. The excitement didn ' t begin until the group ' s first performance: the December 19 winter concert. Among the group ' s vocal selections were He Shall Purify and The Hallelujah Chorus from Handel ' s The Messi- ah. A month later, a few chorale members (Christy Sica, Kiersten Agresta, Lynne Sherwood, J.J. Cromer and Rocky Roland) per- formed in the State Honors Choir program held at the University of Michigan. From there, a special choir presentation was held on February 28 at St. James Episco- pal Church in Birmingham where Lakewood High School ' s choir from Lake Odessa, Michigan and Seaholm ' s Chorale combined voices; 96 to be exact! Though the chorale has long had an impressive reputation, Seaholm ' s Men ' s Vocal Society (S.M.V.S.) also performed tre- mendously, retaining the tradition Everyone, for the most part, is equally talented. There is also a great morale and a lot of interaction among the chorale members so I enjoy the class that much more. Kiersten Agresta which has evolved since the organization ' s start in 1983. Ob- viously the judges at Michigan ' s Vocal Music Festival agreed, for S.M.V.S. received 1, the high- est mark of distinction, for their vocal interpretations of Shanen- doah and Sam Was A Man. Though there was some question as to the continuation of S.M.V.S. at the beginning of the year, the guys from chorale, as member Andy Jordan put it, . . . got a lot of satisfaction from the improve- ment made before festival. No one really stood out so there was a true blend which is needed in a group like that. Although both Chorale and S.M.V.S. were extremely busy this year, they were able to maintain the successful and pro- fessional performance level which has been so typical of Scaholm choirs for years and years. With Margaret Benian accompaning on the piano. Chorale members sing Christmas carols in preparation for ' ■Breakfast With Santa , phoio by E Sard Rocky Roland and Mike Beliasov show off their classy duds as they practice Christmas carols prior to the amazing winter concert photo bv E Sard 58