Mater Dei High School - Hi Lights Yearbook (Evansville, IN)

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HUM DRUM: After long hours of marching at Camp Cresendo in Lebanon Junction. Kentucky, sopho- more percussion member Tony Taylor collapses. The band stayed there one week preparing for the upcoming season. (Photo by Alan Burdette) SNACKIN ' AND SNOOZIN ' : CLOCKWISE: Band members Peter Emmert. Stacy Baker. Mary Ann Scheller. Julie Haller, Dan Haller, Lori Duncan, and Greta Emmert gather around for a game of poker before bedtime in a church cafeteria after a com- petition in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Missy Bur- dette) FLUTE FANATIC: Freshman Amy Lindenschmidt concentrates to keep the melody with the other band members (Photo by Mary Ellert) A

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' Band on the run ' 38 The summer started early for Mr. Kurt Wambach, band director; Mrs. Sandy Wenzel, Band Booster Club president; and the Band Booster Club. Their goal was to redesign the entire band uniform to match the new direction that the band was taking. The traditional band was out, and the corp style was re- group of parents and other spectators including show designer Parkey. After entering the field, the band stopped, counted off, and yelled in unison, Thank you Mr. Bill!! Oooh noooo! The band later performed at some eight football games, five contests, and two parades. The band brought in some placing it. This new approach included eleven trophies in competition. a new attitude, and it changed the en- tire outward appearance of the band. At Camp Crescendo near Lebenon Junction Kentucky, the band was intro- duced to a short, husky, dark-haired man named Mr. Bill Parkey. His purpose was to design the band ' s contest show. Mrs. Wenzel said, I really think he ' s the spark that lighted the band. The band affectionately called him Mr. Bill. At camp, another figure drew much attention and gave much support to the band. Because she did this at camp and throughout the year, Mrs. Sandy Wenzel became know to younger band members as Grandma and to senior band members as Mom. On the last morning of camp, the The setting was the football field at Heritage Hills High School September12, 1981. As the competition ended, a wea- ry yet ecstatic band raced across the field to the drum major. As the band huddled about him, the figures of Jeff Wenzel and five trophies rose above the massive crowd of confused red and gold to the cheer of We ' re number one! This was perhaps the greatest vic- tory in the history of the Mater Dei band. It was the greatest feeling, said Mrs. Wenzel. I have never been so proud. On October 3, 1981 at District Contest in Jasper, Indiana, Wambach ' s voice was heard saying, Hold it, Jeff! cutting through the count-off of the band. The band had not been given permission to ter of ceremonies. A surprised Jeff simply stopped and waited for the word to start. The band won three trophies at Jasper. On the eve of Halloween the band traveled to Cincinnati, Ohio to compete at Glen Este High School in a division with nine other Ohio bands. As the trophies were awarded, the band and a following of parents cheered on two smiling figures on the field below. While awaiting the decision of the judges, Wambach could be seen directing the cheers to be louder and then softer as if signaling a crescendo and then a decrescendo. The band re- sponded with the thrill of victory in their voices. Never had the Mater Dei Band done so well against so many bands. The band took home a proud third place out of nine bands their size. This was a year of change and victory for the band, and behind the scenes, Mr. Wambach masterminded and planned one of the band ' s most suc- cessful years. — Kevin Dick band performed for the first time for a take the field in competition by the mas- THE MARCHING WILDCATS: FRONT ROW: MA- JORETTES: Amy Castleman, LaChere Anslinger. Melissa Long, Tracy Slaton, Barb Deeg, Melony Dolletzki, Sheri Dezember, and Drum Major Jeff Wenzel. 2ND ROW: FLAG CORP: Kristi Raleigh, Teresa Baughn, Cindy Wingert, Lisa Shetler, Shelly Gries, Elaine Schultheis, Diane Bell, Trina Kinney, Lisa Kempf. 3RD ROW: Jenny Jochin. Sandy Schmitt, Jeanne Winstead, Joy Nurrenburn, Stacey Riley, Kris Koressel, Laura Knoll, Chris Pauli, Michelle Hawkins. BAND MEMBERS: 4TH ROW: Fred Kercher, Mark Seng, Tony Taylor, Alan Bur- dette. Jeanne Rivard, Peter Emmert, Pat Reisinger, Kevin Dick. 5TH ROW: Dwight Emmert, Tonya Crothers, Patty Alsop, Greg Culley, Tina Scott, Christie Neale, Brad Oliver, Greg Lehman. 6TH ROW: Jim Pauli, Mike Neale, Mary Deig, Betsy Briedenbach, Greta Emmert, Abby Baker, Cindy Neale, Chris Corcoran. 7TH ROW: Chris Paul. Dan Briedenbach, Amy Lindenschmidt, Darla Lich- tenberger, Ann Groves, Stacy Baker, Julie Hol- ler, Dennis Marx, Matt Crowe. BACK ROW: Ann Rode, Chris Hertel, Mary Ann Scheller, Lori Dun- can, Jim Reynolds, Jerry Grannan, and Ron Schneider. (Photo by Bob Straub)

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Camps for champs Camps meant a lot of fun and games for most of us, but that wasn ' t the case for junior drum major Jeff Wenzel this summer. Jeff spent the second week of his summer at Western Kentucky learning the skills of a drum major. Instead of swimming, hiking and sleeping late, camp activities consisted of waking early to jumping jacks and calisthe- nics. The remainder of the day was restricted to learning and practicing the different ways to direct a band. This included bringing a band on and off the field properly and charting field, which is mapping the band ' s marching pattern on the field. You had a test on everything. You learned to make sure that you knew how to do it. If you didn ' t understand something, there was time during the day when you could talk to the teach- er in charge, said Jeff. In addition to all this, Jeff had to be able to count and direct 2 4, 3 4, and 4 4 time. When Jeff got back from the West- ern Kentucky camp, he still had another camp to attend before he could show off his new skill at the football games. Camp Crescendo, in Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, pro- vided an opportunity for Mater Dei band members to get together and ATTENTION: Junior Jeff Wenzel salutes to the crowd at the Fall Festival Parade. This year was Jeff ' s first experience as drum major with the Wildcat band. (Photo by Missy Burdette) learn a show. Jeff explained that al- though he had learned a few things up at band camp, the majority of his learning had already taken place be- fore that. Jeff started getting interested in drum majoring when there was an open position for one in the Mater Dei band. Only a few people were trying out; therefore, he thought he would give it a try. Jeff, along with several other auditioners, had to march, yell out commands, direct different pieces of music, and answer pop questions that Mr. Kurt Wambach, the band director, asked. The reason for the questions was to see which person could explain and answer without great delay or confusion — a very im- portant skill for one in charge of a band. Jeff was judged by Wambach and eight students — two from each class. The few conflicts which he had confronted for the first time made him into a first place Mater Dei drum major. — Jeanne Rivard A TOUCH OF BRASS: Dan Haller was one of the many Pep Band members who provided half-time entertainment at all the home basketball games. This was Dan ' s third year in the MD band. (Photo by Rob Zigenfus) PRACTICE MAKES PERCUSSION: Drummers Ron Schneider, Mark Seng, Mike Neale. and Greg Cul- ley keep the beat with the band while practicing for the upcoming contest at Castle High SchooT. (Photo by Mary Ellert)