Alameda High School - Acorn Yearbook (Alameda, CA)

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ee ed aweous Catching The Classics “Feels So Good,” “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is,” “Bless the Beasts and the Children,” and a “Tribute to Basie,” were just a few of the selections out of the folder of this year’s Stage Band. This small group of Alameda High’s finest musicians could be found every morning trudging up the steps in the Fine Arts Building to the music room where they re- hearsed their way through a wide world of contemporary jazz, rock, pop and blues tunes. As senior Mike Grace declared, “It’s pretty fun because you learn how to play different music.” There were many fresh faces in the band this year—the entire saxophone sec- cee verweny tion was new—but a lack of cohesiveness was no problem as everyone learned to work together while expressing their own individuality through their playing. Also, the band members became instructors for a while when they had a student teacher, Dennis Lopes. In his initial on-the-job training assignment, Dennis radiated a lot of energy and said that he “really liked teaching a lot.” 5: The Stage Band rhythm section hums along. 6: The Stage Band cruises to the music. 7: Mr. Vince points to the trouble.

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1: The endless Marching Band. 2: Larry leads the band. Spirits soared at the football games this year as the Alameda High Marching Band provided pulsating beats of music for the cheerleaders and crowds to “get rowdy.” The 47 piece band under the leadership of Larry Huntington worked hard toward creating newer and more interesting rou- tines for half-time entertainment. A fund- raiser was also held by the band mem- bers with the purpose of purchasing new tops for their uniforms. And, as in the past, the band also provided the back- ground music at the student body meet- ings. After football season the musicians pre- pared themselves for the annual Winter and Spring Concerts. Guided by Mr. Do- minick Vinciguerra, they worked their way through their repertoire for their for- mal performances. People who attended the concerts were treated to pleasant eve- nings of music, with the Spring Concert held out on the Circle, under the light of the setting sun. 3: Conductor Dennis Lopes in a trance. 4: Concentration is the key to perfection. Playing with Pride

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Outdraw The Raiders Nightshow was the combined talents of all the drama classes to bring the students and public live stage performances. These performances dealt not only in comedy but also in the fields of moral issues, dra- matic moments, science fiction and sing- ing. Some of the plays as in one called “Frankie” were written by students. At re- hearsals the class as a whole participated in evaluating, and suggesting some ways of improvement. The hit of the nightshow was “Highway to Hell” popular rock song sung by AC DC. Robert Bonstin mimed the words to which he adopted his own character- ization. He portrayed a boozer on his way to self-destruction with the help of the devil. A bartender tries to help Robert and is killed by the devil. The devil also uses women to influence Robert along the “Highway to Hell.” Moral issues were tackled by Bill Riley. He did Victor Buano’s “Baby” which dealt with his life inside his mother’s stomach. It consisted of a chronological list of events leading up to his birth, but is never born. His mother kills him. Craig Hotti did a piece called “Remember When” which dealt with the events and life before and after World War I. An interesting twist was introduced by Ranee Rogge. She sang a burlesque num- ber. Barny Barnhart sang a difficult num- ber from “Jesus Christ Superstar”. All mu- sic was sung without musical accompaniment. Asked why he liked drama, one student replied, “Drama allows me to see what I can do with myself.”