Edina West Upper Division - Windigo Yearbook (Edina, MN)

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C.B. Pops: a plucky polyphony From the beginning of January until the last performance, homework became a foreign word to students involved in the fifth annual Pops West. Practices usually lasted three hours each day while Saturdays were totally taken up with rehearsals. Energy prevailed however, while tickets were unceasingly urged on to the buying public, with special student prices on opening night. Performing such difficult classics as Franz Liszt's Les Preludes.' and Saint-Saens Baccha-nale. the band also played the rhythmically demanding West Side Story' by Leonard Bernstein. Before moving into the musical, the stage band performed to change and relax the mood. During this time frantic costume changes were made, and everyone emerged in authentic appearing turn-of-the-century attire which colorfully decorated the stage. A new atmosphere was presented during the production of Hello Dolly.’ It was one of excitement and concentration, but of a different sort than during the band part. Hours were spent on learning to make the actions on stage appear casual and yet sophisticated.' Uncontrollable laughter sometimes broke the background freezes of the musical during these long hours, and at times it would seem as though nothing was going to turn out right. But with the talent and knowledge of band director Ed Melichar (fac.) and musical director Marian Hansen, things fell into place. Although tired from the work, all were pleased to have participated. Sara Stickle (12) commented I've gotten so close to the people through the.past three years, that is what is special. When you realize this is your last year, you want to give it all you've got.' For many of the seniors, band had played a highly significant part of their lives, and Pops was an important facet of that band participation. As senior Mark Freiberg added. Band has been one of the best experiences I've had in a high school. Besides having fun. you learn to work hard and put your mind to something. The concert was truly a polyphony, a combination of individual but harmonizing melodies, presented with the spirit of the members of concert band. 2 POPS WEST

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Getting it together Coming together for some sappy jokes, yelling with (or at) the cheerleaders, whistling at the Cougarettes, and howling at A-Buf were what made pepfests an effective instrument in generating enthusiasm and unifying school spirit. They usually did just that for the students, as was evident in the large turnout, although attendance was not mandatory. Telling jokes that did not go over was a real bummer: that was the nastiest part of being an emcee, reflected Mark Kubin (12). We made up most of them, but stole some from joke books and from Johnny Carson. But even with the risk of bombing, it was fun.' One of the highlight pepfests occurred during Homecoming week, which featured the vivacious Cougarrats. At the Christmas pepfest the school had a surprise visit from Santa Claus, who greeted the crowd with, Aringa-ringa-ho-ho-ho! Cheerleading captain Anne Frey (12) was in charge of the scheduling. She was responsible for lining up emcees, coordinating the band's music, and checking out A-Buf's plans for a skit. Usually a pepfest was in honor of a particular sport. Anne commented. It was important for the school to recognize a team and help them get psyched up. PAGE 22: UPPER RIGHT: Mark Rud.n (II) listens intently os his fellow omcoo Eric Poter son (II) tolls ono of the wacky pepfest jokes. MIDDLE LEFT: Concert choir members Anne Denny (I I) and Kim Monchamp (I I) stop on to the bleachers as the choir prepares to perform. MIDDLE RIGHT: Choir director Rob ert Peterson finds it difficult to lead the choir without emotion. LOWER LEFT: Singing one of their many Christmas songs, the voices of tho vocal chorale (oin in harmony. LOWER RIGHT: Concert choir members join in tho song Kyrie. PAGE 23: LEFT: Many students react differ ently to an early morning pepfest. UPPER RIGHT: As emcee Mike Byron (12) makes his grand entranco. he is well cored for by the Cougarettes. LOWER RIGHT: At C-Squad s first pepfest appearance. Diane Buresh (12) shouts out their original cheer.

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PAGE 24: LEFT: Complimented by the stage bend. Michelle Melichar (II) sings Feelings with emotion. RIGHT: Displaying the costume of the time Karin Baken (10) strikes a pose and concentrates on keeping still. PAGE 25: UPPER: Entortaining the audience with a uniquo form of music the KSRJMB s blend the melodic tone of flutes with the deep, rich sound of pop bottles. MIDDLE LEFT: D iscussing the merits of having a wifo. Horace Vandergelder portrayed by Lindy Moquist (12). has little idea of the trap that has been set for him. LOWER LEFT: The musical Hello Dolly was an extravaganza filled with color, costume, and song. LOWER RIGHT: In a humorous skit Paul Vaaler (10) and Doug Burckhardt (12) imifato the typical CB er. POPS WEST 25