Kilgore College - Ranger Yearbook (Kilgore, TX)

Page 25 text:

Left - Jerry Hale, Assistant Director, inspects the ranks and files of the band during an afternoon rehearsal. Below (group picture) - Band members elect officers at the end of the spring semester. Pictured here with Jerry Hale, far left, and Wallace Read, Director, far right arc the 1982-83 officers. They arc. from left, Lois Yarbrough, secretary; Becky Hudgins, reporter; Leigh Ann Collins, drum major; Thomas Magee, president; Jeff Lee, vice president; and Lori Baker, reporter. Below - Tonia Barnes wears the required fish to band practices. The fish must have name, high school, instrument, and college major. ?t

Page 24 text:

Ranger Band endures “long hot summer” Kilgore College Ranger Band members began their annual task of reorganizing, reviewing last year’s skills, learning new ones, and assimilating new members in early August. Summer rehearsals served not only to acquaint new band members with Ranger Band policies and traditions, but also to practice and prepare for halftime performances. By fall registration, band members had already learned their music and had begun perfecting marching drills. Students clad in blue jean cut-offs and light summer attire spent many uncomfortable hours on the practice field located behind R. E. St. John Stadium. In 90 plus temperatures, band members battled heat that melted hairdos and makeup, and endured rolling sweat that blinded their visions of sheet music. But they were never too hot nor too tired to run back down to the twenty, Big Band. Let’s do it just one more time!” Then, the band also stood and played for the for the Rangcrcttcs to synchronize the exacting!)' precise dance routines. For new band members, this was their first experience in working with the world famous dance drill team. As part of the freshman band member initiation, new members, or fish, had to wear large construction paper fish draped round their necks. As part of the fall initiation, fish had to address sophomore band members by their last names, sing the fight song when they heard a ‘‘roll-off’’, and were never allowed to turn their backs to a sophomore. Fish were also required to recite The Fish Oath on request. The final stage of initiation was completed at the Homecoming Pep Rally. For this event, fish had to dress in costumes as requested by section leaders. Then, to the tune of Elvira, the fish paraded around the gym floor. After this brief ceremony,” the fish were officially instituted as freshman band members. In addition to halftime performances at Ranger football games, the band made several other performances. This year, the band participated in the dedication ceremonies of the Gregg County Courthouse. The group also marched in area Christmas parades and performed in the annual Cotton Bowl parade and football halftime ceremony. In the spring, the organization plays a number of concerts for the public. 20

Page 26 text:

Rangerettes Schedule Busy, Hectic Year 1982-83 was a fantastic, exciting year for the Kilgore College Rangerettes. They w ere constantly busy wit I practices, football and basketball games, dedication' festivals and many other performances. The year began two weeks before registration with the pre training of Rangcrcttc hopefuls. Girls came as far away a Virginia, Pennsylvania, Washington and Ohio to vie for a position with the Kilgore Rangerettes. This year 33 girls were chosen, with 12 alternates. After the selection was made, new members performed for the first time in the annual Rangerette Showoffs, where they showcased the newly-learned high-kick. This year’s routine was set to Hang ’Em High. The fall semester began with a special performance at the dedication ceremony of the new Gregg County Court House on Oct. 2. On Oct. 16, the girls were the opening performers at the Rose Festival Parade. On Nov. 22, they did a show for a benefit basketball game on campus where the Rangers hosted a Yugoslavian team. During the Christmas season, the Rangerettes marched in many local Christmas parades. They also traveled to the Garland Bowl where the Rangers played the NE Oklahoma Norsemen. After a short Christmas break, the Rangerettes returned to Kilgore to practice their routine for the Cotton Bowl. The girls arrived in Dallas excited about their upcoming roles in the Colton Bowl festivities. They kicked-off the 36th Annual Colton Bowl Parade and also did a show in the classic half time feature. Sixteen of the sophomore “rettes” went to Austin to act as hostesses for House of Representatives Speaker Gib Lewis. On Jan. 14, the Rangerettes appeared at the annual Dallas Morning News Travel Club festival. On Feb. 26 and 27, they attended the Houston Travel Festival and performed for them. Another big event for the Rangerettes is the annual Swingstcr tryouts. During January, all freshman Rangerettes are encouraged to compete for a spot in the elite jazz group. The sophomores teach the freshman the traditional dances. In February, the Rangerettes held tryouts for the annual Rangerette Revels. The Revels are open to any talented KC student who wishes to try out for a part in the show. The theme for this year’s revels is As Time Goes By f Through The Decades). During April 23-26, they made a trip to New Orleans where they performed for the National Jr. College Administrators Association and the National Southern Gas Association Convention.