Sherman Oaks Center for Enriched Studies - Excalibur Yearbook (Los Angeles, CA)

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ORGANIZATIONS UP CLOSE P The drama and music departments are organizations which teach students discipline and self esteem. Each organization is unique but both work towards a common goal of performing live on stage. Performers I Ms. Hiller is new to the dra- ma department but not to teaching. She directs the stu- dents in her fifth period play production class. Play produc- tion students are serious about their art and for the most part, keep their grades up. thus al- lowing them to perform in Bauer auditorium. Part of what the students learn is staying academically on top, said Ms. Hiller. One may not realize the ef- fort these students make. Be- sides worrying about being eli- gible to perform, drama stu- dents are concerned about memorizing pages of dialogue at a time, making their cues on time, blocking, projection of their voice, and staying in char- acter, are also essentials to these actors and actresses. However the most important lesson they learn is to be confi- dent of their personalities and to stimulate their growth. To learn about themselves, to grow; personal growth and tuning of their skills as actors and actresses, said Ms. Hiller. Ms. Hiller ' s directions at re- hearsal enable the performers to present a show without a hitch. Like play production, prac- tice makes perfect for Mr. Mor- ris orchestra. Practice is the most neces- sary thing, said Mr. Morris. Mr. Morris also teaches his students that tone quality is an essential element when playing a musical instrument. However, when conducting an orchestra one cannot merely be concerned with tone quality but with all aspects of an orchestra as a whole and is individuals like getting the drummers to play at the same time, said Mr. Morris. Learning to play an instru- ment can be hardwork but it all pays off in the end. Mr. Morris will no longer be teaching or- chestra. Mrs. Woodlief is tak- ing over but his students agree that no one can take his place in their hearts. I think everyone should thank Mr. Morris and let him know that he is greatly appreci- ated for his dedication to mu- sic, said senior David Rolbin. Orchestra — front ro ' {left to right i Shawn Tanowttz, Catherine Hudis, Gatynne Duly. Jt Choe. Suzy Lee. Drev. Devme. Hoy ard Seaman. Carolyn Suh. Second row Joshua Spincic. King Lee. Charles Boyle. Gustavo Guerrero. Roberto Sanchez. Miguel Rodriguez. Allen Martinez. .Ana Herrera. Back row: r Morris, advisor. .Augustine Ramirez. Jason Pivnik. John Cannon. Ian Kenyan. Michael Devine. Henry Olivas. Luis Rodriguez. Bryon Tonioy. Haleh .Amiri Does music make the world go round? — Mr. Morris ' students seem to thinii so. While practicing these students try to be synchronized so that they can play in harmony. Thus allowing them to concentrate on capturing the right tone quality which is an essential skill a musician must learn. Drama and Orchestra r Organizations j7

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An advanced drama student — is able to perform on stage when he enrolls in play production. After numerous rehearsals he is able to concentrate on playing the lead character instead of worrying about blocking which has now become instinc- tive. Mr. Morris ' s students — not only learn the fundamentals of being a musi- cian, like learning to read music, but also learn discipline. They disciplin e themselves at home by designating time to practice their chosen instrument. Those practice sessions pay off in the end. for students are then able to perform for the school. To be or not to be. ..a drama student? — Ms. Hitlers ' drama students have no doubt in their minds that the play ' s the thing Acting is an art form which, like most everything, improves with lots of practice. These students wish to be promoted to play production, the next rung on the ladder. Play Producliaa —from row Heft to righll. Suzanm Corilon. Jasmine Davis. ElUabelh Gordon. Nouh Klanman. Sfiond row: .-ibraham Nobel. Hyon-Chu Chon. Third row: Julie Beam. Knieba Janes. Norma Jean Thnrne. Back row: Amy Jenkins, Frances . iine:, Jose Sanchez, Jennifer Levy, Farah .4ivin. C.Z Hilier. Amy Gauld. iMrry Regan. 78 Drama and Orchestra Organization

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Working on the computer — is a very helpful way to study. Melinda McMahon is using this computer to help her study for tests and for her classes. ,?« ' -. ' Overhead projector — Using an overhead projector is a very helpful way to teach a class. Mrs. Woodlief often uses the overhead projector as a visual aid to help show her class problems and how to solve them. Work, work, work — Many student may complain about their work, but students like Jenifer Yale work busily but noiselessly so that they will finish their classwork, and so that they won ' t have to do it for homework. 80 Why they ' re here Academics