Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

Page 136 text:

Spring Filled With UIL, Tourney, Concert, Oz Mr. Fred, the infamous choir troublemaker, took a spring semester vacation while mascot. Earnest P. Worrell lead the choir troupes through a regiment of activity. April kicked off UIL competition. The Men's Choir ranked excellent with their concert, and both the Women's Choir and Chorale earned first division awards. Senior Charla Walker commented. “We're awesome! What can we say? We knew we could do it! April was also the month of the rites of passage for the new bell choirs. Both a student and a faculty bell choir were Bell Choir: Front: D. Schmidt, C. Ryan, A. Roesner, E. Chen, D. Womack; 2nd: M. Barge, L. Farney, Mrs. Ness; 3rd: D. Dapkus, E. Chang, K. Powell, R. Schmidt; Back: J. Davis. Photo by B. Mitcholl Treble I: Front: M. Dang, K. Joe, S. Comeaux, C. Gary, T. Stevens, P. Bhatt, V. Le Roux. P. Bhatt; 2nd: A. Cook, D. Kleefman, L. Bynum, R. Thomas, T. Baldwin, K. Vi I von. K. Philbeck; 3rd: R. Walker. E. Parks. J. Selbe, C. Latson, S. Tyler, S. Arfa; Back: L. Hughes, A. Caime, B. Shields. C. Brocht. E. Eppler, K. Smith, Mrs. Ness organized. The student bell choir, dubbed Good Vibrations, premiered at the Spring Concert and played again at graduation. In May, the choir’s early focus was the Spring Concert. The bell choir performed with Albright and Alief Middle Schools; Treble I had two songs. In anticipation of the concert. Treble I singer. Freshman Kim Philbeck confided that she was nervous. It's embarrassing getting up there and singing in front of all those people. Also, the Region Four contest entrants shared their competition music. Special features included a medley of Kenny Roger's hits and a medley of Wizard of Oz songs. In coordination with the Wizard of Oz feature. Mr. Porter portrayed the wizard donned in a white tux and Miss Hoover played the Wicked-Witch of the West in a slinky evening gown. May was not only reserved for work; the choir held their second annual Hackey Sac Tournament. Winners were awarded everything from M M's to new hackey sacs. Wee-dee-dee! E M. Brown. Organizations Editor According to Senior Chai Walker, Earnest P. Mrs. Ness's hero, is excellent choir Sometimes it's hard to some of the people in seriously,” explained Photo by L. Cates Choir 132 Choir

Page 135 text:

■ “ Because of Amahl’s (Tenor Judd Davis) habitual lying, his mother does not believe he secs the Christmas star. Photo by Mrs. Ness Tenor Bass Choir: 7 Earn UIL Awards On February 23 at UIL solo and ensemble competition. Seniors Troy Tucker, Jeff Ray, Tim Stamm, Junior Steve Gabino, and Freshmen Kyle Powell. Judd Davis and Eddie Elizondo were awarded first division recognition for their solos. Participation in competition prepares singers for chorale. In the 1984 Fall Night Visitors by Gian Carlo Menotti, Freshman Judd Davis played Amahl, Kyle Powell played Balthazar, and Jose Carago played the page. Junior James Wagner says he joined Tenor Bass choir, Because I’ve been in choir since fourth grade and I enjoy singing in choir. By Tenor Bass: Front: J. Car- mago, C. Walker, E. Elizondo, M. Tighc, S. Collins, J. Davis; 2nd: R. Wilcott, E. Perez. T. Morris, B. Hulctt, J. Wagner; Back: K. Powell. B. Gilbert. J. May, J. Ray, M. Cope, T. Stamm t UIL solo and ensemble on recognition out of 35 par- ebruary23and25,solosand ticipants. Photo by B. ensembles were Mitchell warded first division Sophomore Tony Silva said. Mrs. Ness really works us on knowing all the keys and sight-reading. She wants us to sight-read well this year at UIL.” Mrs. Ness has been teaching at Elsik for five years. Photo by B. Mitchell Concert, they performed A Patriotic Medley by Foresblad and Siltman and A New Psalm by Duson with the other choirs. In Amahl and the M. Brown, Organizations Editor Men from Chorale and the Tenor Bass choir Join forces to sing Patriotic Medley by Foresblad and Siltman in the 1984 Fall Concert. The soloist Is Freshman Mark Cope. Photo by L. Cates Tenor Bass Choir 131

Page 137 text:

nlor Erica Chang, who is ;o a member of NHS, sings Chorale, and plays in the II choir, works on memorizing her part for the Awards Ceremony. Photo by B. Mitchell Long Rehearsals Difficult But Worth It Amahl Choir’s First Opera casted and Mrs. Ness did the work herself with help from teachers at Olle Middle and Martin Elementary. Auditions were held and four main roles were awarded. Junior Annette Roesner and Freshman Rochelle Mitchell were chosen as Amahl's mother. Freshman Judd Davis and fifth grader Andrew Polisensky were chosen as Amahl. All four leads agreed that the long hours of rehersal were difficult. Annette commented, Mrs. Ness wanted me to be in it, but at the time I was preparing for area and Mrs. Ness wasn’t sure how my voice would take it. When December 13 came, two performances were given. Rochelle said she was most nervous at the second show when her ex-Drama teacher came. Judd added that his favorite part was hugging Rochelle. In 1954, network television aired the first production of The entire choir was used in Amahl. Singers without Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian Carlos Menotti. The actor who played Amahl attended Mrs. Ness’s church as an adult. For this reason. Amahl became a Christmas tradition at Mrs. Ness’s church. According to Mrs. Ness, It takes a lot of talent to do an opera. The choir's first opera was double Sophomore Annette Roes- ner, Amahl's mother, com- forts her son Amahl, Andrew Polisensky, with promises of better times to come. Photo by Mrs. Ness speaking parts were casted as extras. Photo by Mrs. Ness Treble I: Front: M. Dang. K. Joe, S. Comeaux, C. Gary, T. Stevens, P. Bhatt, V. Lc Roux, P. Bhatt; 2nd: A. Cook, D. Kleefman, L. Baynum, R. Thomas, T. Baldwin, K. Vilven, K. Philbeck; 3rd: R. Walker. E. Parks. J. Selbe. C. Latson, S. Tyler, S. Arfa; Back: L. Hughes, A. Caime, B. Shields, C. Brocht, E. Eppler, K. Smith. Mrs. Ness Choir 133