Kilgore College - Ranger Yearbook (Kilgore, TX)

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Summer band gets hot! -by Kelli Vance AUGUST. It’s nearing the end of summer and a light breeze is floating through the early evening air. Soft music finds its way to your ears as you drive through town. Your radio is off and the window is down. You turn a corner and the music gets louder. Twisting roads and a couple of wrong turns finally bring you to R. E. St. John Memorial Stadium. There it is. The Kilgore College Ranger Band. You park your car among the others, which aren’t parked in any sort of logical order, then you walk past the gates and to the practice field. Standing near the end zone, you witness what seems to be mass chaos. The band is learning a new drill for the first game of the season. You wish you were in band. SEPTEMBER. You decide to go to a KC pep rally since you heard the music three miles away again. You find that pep rallies arc unique indeed. A pep rally is spirit put to music and cheers with a beat. You leave the pep rally with a smile on your face and four free footballs to boot. You notice the band is still playing and you wish you were still in the stands with them. OCTOBER. It’s the middle of football season and you and your date go to the Homecoming game. You memorize the music to the fight song before the half. Band must really be fun. Halftime was really unique. The band literally ran onto the field with balloons in hand. The Rangcrcttcs danced on oil derricks. And a trip to Nice, France, was announced and then everyone on the field really got excited. Now you really wish you were in band. Third quarter is sheer entertainment. The Bud song is a favorite. You laugh at the Tut routine and listen as the brass and woodwinds sing unusual songs in harmony. They are like one big family. The percussion section keeps the band on its feet with a series of drum cadences that make you want to get up and dance. You are seriously thinking of getting into the band. NOVEMBER. Football season is winding down and marching season is almost over. The fall semester is nearing an end and again you hear the band practicing across town for the Cotton Bowl. It’s almost more than you can take. You decide to enroll in band for the spring semester. You finally get your wish. Above:The band and Rangcrcttcs practice the first drill of the season. Below, left: Bows and balloons emphasize the Homecoming drill. Carnival. Below right: David Bruyerc's French horn casts a sunny reflection of a bright summer day. 28

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Obvious tension and excitement are apparent for potential Rangerette freshmen. An early Rangerette practice and high kick. ...that’s what it’s all about accuracy. Constant stretching helps to develop the muscles used in all performances. One wonders how Rangerettes can manage to smile after jumping and landing in the splits or kicking so high that they might break a nose. Most spectators find themselves in pain just watching them. In their strive for perfection, ‘Rettes practice on the average of 11 Zi hours per week. They only receive one credit. On Held practice days, section rehearsals take place in addition to the chance to perform with the Ranger Band. Sometimes, wet conditions yield muddy leotards, skin, and hair; but what’s a little dirt when you’re trying to be your best? Of the 65 Rangerettes, 53 march at halftime and 12 stay in the stands. They are not being punished, ignored, or left with the audience because they weren’t wearing enough bobby pins. If more than 53 march, the line “weaves.” The only time all 65 march is in parades. All the planning, hardwork, and dedication have helped make the Rangerettes what they are. Remember, practice makes perfect. The third and final key word in the Rangerette trilogy is fellowship. Each officer is responsible for at least 12 girls plus the girls not on the line. In addition to this, every sophomore has oncor two freshman “little sisters” and they usually become fast friends. Sometimes they even seem to begin to look alike. A big sister is a big help to new freshmen. They comfort their little sisters, help them when they are down and also they are someone to turn to and look up to. They arc more like a best friend. Sophomores have been described a big sis and mom all rolled up in one. Sophomores can also relate to what the freshmen are going through. Living in Davis Hall is an experience in itself. The Little Old Lady Who Lived In a Shoe must have been the house mother with all-girl kids. An observer gets the idea that Davis Hall is comparable to a mall. Rangerettes shop in their neighbors’ closets. No privacy is something you learn to get used to. Do the doors at Davis Hall ever close, or are they nailed open? The tradition, precision, and fellowship continue as the years roll on. A few changes here and there will inevitably occur. But meanwhile chapter 46 of the seemingly unending Rangerette saga continues. Stay tuned until tomorrow... -by Kelli Vance 27

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 e. left: Majorettes Cyndi Kennedy and Ncla McCurry get a kick out of band. Above, right: The all-sophomore band officers for l98S-86are first row, Nichole Perry, drum major; Ncla McCurry, secretary-treasurer; Pat Parker; reporter. Second row, l-r: Kelli Vance, reporter; Taylor Reynolds, president; Ralph Butler, vice-president. Below: Band director Jerry Hale explains the drill to a frustrated assistant band director, Mike Turpin. ■ 7 Freshman band members wear fish as part of their initiation. 29