Alliance High School - Bulldog Yearbook (Alliance, NE)

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Blue Persuasion Takes On A New Swing With A Changing Decade ALLIANCE Swing Choir members are: Rob Haslow, Tom Lauder, Tom Goaley, jim Podhaisky, Stuart Green, Steve Cripe, Tim Podraza, Andrew Brittan, Brian Vandeventer, Randy Scott, John Harris, Tracy Thies, Cris Swanson, Deb Appleyard, Michelle Bilstein, Brenda Appleyard, Becky Kendall, Wanda Crawford, Anne Mundt, Betty Jo Milks, Laurie Hoff and April McLain. Providing both modem and contemporary music for various community organizations is one requirement for those in the Blue Persuasion. Blue Persuasion, the Alliance High Swing Choir, acquired a different type of style, which included less choreography. With the continued use of stage boxes, many different settings were achieved. The Swing Choir was conducted by Mr. Thomas G. Lauder, who wrote and composed several of the group's numbers, including the group's theme song, “Blue Persuasion. In addition to the traditional school concerts, they entertained at the Good Samaritan Village and the job's Daughter's Supper. The final highlight of the year was the group's participation in the Swing Choir and Stage Band Festival held in Chadron, Nebraska, on March 17. The Swing Choir performs for members of the American Association of Retired Persons. 22

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Band Members Develop Musical Attributes Clarinets are: Michelle Bilstein, Deanna Handley, Krystal Benzel, Joan Bush, Kris Rask, Ioann Balderson, Eden Edwards, Nancy Cies, Stacey Brown, Laurie Hoff, Denise Handley, Betty Jo Milks, Cathy Frazier, Maureen Kelly, Valerie Lauer, Tina Hain, Bethanie Meyer, Lisa Fischer, and Theodora Kochiras. Flutes are: Darci McLean, Lavon Krejci, Bessie Kochiras, Dorothy Christie, Sherry Bushong, Deb Abbott, Kim Ushio, Kerri Thompson, Kay Butzine, Chris Beiber, Becky Kendall, Sally Kirchner, Lisa Renteria, Peggy Thompson, Marie Mason, and Jill Kirchner. Low Brass are: Troy Moss, Craig Mahnke, Dave Christensen, Tom Heimbuch, Tom Lawrence, Tom Neeley, Vicki Hoppens, Lisa Krause and Richelle Sheldon. Stepping inside from the active halftime performances, the Concert Band practiced many hours for the upcoming performances. The year started off with the Christmas Concert on December 20. A few of the selections included: Sleigh Ride, Hark! the Herald Angels Sing, and Cantique de Noel, which featured Nancy Fairbanks in a trumpet solo. The band then began preparations for the District Music Contest in Scottsbluff, the Pops Concert, and the Spring Concert. Graduation, on May 25, was the final performance and a memorable occasion for the AHS band. ALLIA HIGH WT Norm Running displays his directing talents and musical knowledge while sight reading through new music. 21

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 Shrew Satarizes American Life Style Petruchio's domineering attitude is displayed through his violent courtship of Katherine. Gremio reveals his scheme to win Bianca's love. Arabelle and servants take time for a pose. The Thespian Troupe of Alliance High and the theatre department performed The Taming of the Shrew on May 8, 9, and 10. Love, marriage, sex, and money were satirized in the play, which centered around an elderly gentleman, Baptista Minola, and his two daughters. The elder, Katherine, the shrew, needed to be married before her younger sister Bianca, the snob. The play continued with Petruchio's violent courtship and marriage to Katherine. The set was designed by senior Thespian member Jim Podhaisky as a project, which won him a scholarship in the International Thespian Society regional scholarship competition. Similar to all other plays at AHS, The Taming of the Shrew was an overall success. Petruchio listens as Tranio explains his plan to Hortensio for winning Bianca's affection. The entire cast gathers at Baptista Minola's house to welcome back Petruchio and Katherine. 23