Memorial High School - Reata Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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O ...Q ABOVE: ORCHESTRA MEMBERS SHIRLEY LAKE, Patti Mahon, Kathy Rivas, and Gilbert Valentine marvel at Janie Gayle's musical prow- ess. Photo by Scott Waughtal. JOKING AROUND FOR THE CAMERA, Keith Hearn hides behind his bass. Laurie Olbrich, who plays the cello, looks on. Photo by Scott Waughtal. BELOW: AN INTEGRAL PART OF ORCHESTRA, the bass provides the back seat of many pieces. Bass player Senior Richard Cole concentrates on plucking the correct tones. Photo by Scott Waughtal. PROG- RESSING EACH YEAR IN HER OWN ESTIMA- TION, Kathe Rivas has spent seven years playing the viola in junior high and high school orchestras. Kathe's the kind of person that really makes a school orchestra func- tion, said Conductor Lawrence Bush. Though Kathe has enjoyed the people and music, she admits that at times it's been tough. At concerts we'd like to have played better, said Kathe, but we try our best. As a freshman, Kathe was scared to death because there were only two violas then, and through the years they kept coming in. Since orchestra is so uncommon for this school, it's hard to get especially viola players, she said. Kathe feels that she has made improvement during her years in orchestra. I've progressed a lot con- sidering I don't take private lessons, said Kathe. Kathe was also an accomplished pianist. She was featured on the piano at the orchestra's Christmas tour. I plan to major in piano, said Kathe, who has played the piano for ll years. Musically, piano's my main love. Viola helps me achieve my goals in piano. - 30 - !Lorelra Farb Strings

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ORCHESTRA 'akin lifea little ea ter Strings, Woodwinds and brass make classical sounds alive ith talent in abundance, the orchestra had enlarged and improved over the past couple of years. As I see the future. I see it gettin even bigger and strongerf, said Conductor Lawrence Bush. l'I think it's im roved a whole lot, said Freshman grad Dalton. I've heard it's one of the best we've had in awhile. Fifteen members of the orchestra made the All-Region Orchestra which performed at Memorial December 7 under the direction of Abraham Cha- vez. Dalton, Principal viola Janie Gayle, Kristin Greer, Keith Hearn, Trent Hellerstein, Stephanie Joe. Con- cert mistress Sarah Kemery, Kira Obo- lensky, Laurie Olbrich, Dirk Silva, Chris Simon, Charles Stern. Jamie Turner. and Ed and Joe Wakil were members of this performing group. In addition to the All-Region people. there were four All-State orchestra members. These were the most presti- gious musical organizations in the nited States, said Bush. There isn't aniiplace in the nation like Texas. emery. Gayle. and Ed Wakil were in the High School Symphon , and Trent Hellerstein in the Youth Olrches- tra. which both performed February 9- ll in Houston. Orchestra students enjoyed being a part of the organization. lt gave us a chance to be with our friends and play music with them. said Janie Gayle. Mr. Bush was really a great teacher. I learned a lot from him. ACTIVE ORCHESTRA MEMBERS performed concerts for the student body during the year under the direction of Mr. Larry Bush. Orchestra took a lot of time, work, and preparation, and it was really worth it for something you enjoyed, ' said Sophomore Barbie Bennett. It was a challenge to me. It was really interesting - you really meet a lot of interesting people in the field of musicf' According to Sophomore Kira Obo- lensky, orchestra was like a melting pot with all different types of people. We played all types of music too - notjust classicalf said Kira. In the fall, the orchestra held their fundraising roject. We accounted for several million cavities selling 'Tur- tles',', said Bush. With that money the orchestra made a Christmas tour to the Homes of the Aged doing Christmas music. Among the orchestra's many activi- ties were a winter concert in Novem- ber. a concert prior to the March 16 UIL full orchestra contest, a 'kicker' type concert in earlry4April, and a spring concert in mid- ay, which fea- tured some members as soloists. We invited the junior highs to come per- form fat the spring concertjf' said Bush. Last year there were about 150 people on stage. - 30 - - Lorena Farb TOP: ORCHESTRA STUDENTS Laurie Olbrich and Holly Stroud tune their cellos prior to their daily rehearsal. Photo by Scott Waughtal. SERENADING THE CROWD with melodic tunes from the violin, Laurie Olbrich and Lois Wag- gener display their orchestral ability. Photo by om Freireich. I I ' K' 'u Strings

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s f,g.g:,.1i.,,,f1:tr- BAD .akin lifea little ea ier Marching and medals form loudest exercise of spirit ike a closely-knit family, the band, furthered by Director Jack Greenberg, gathered its members and took family trips, threw its own parties and banquets, marched on the field and joined together to play concerts. It's a really good organization, said Band President Senior Linda Gall. Whether practicing marching music and steps for halftime or rehearsing concert pieces for contests, the students in band dedicated much of their time to band. A Sophomore Drew Masterson esti- mated that he spent five to six hours a day on band during marching season, including band during school hours, practice after school and then practice at home with his instrument. Marching season began in August and ended with the conclusion of foot- ball season. During the first week in August the incoming freshmen learned the basics of marching, then the rest of the band members joined the practice the second week. The last week in August the group began concentrating on the first show for football season, according to Masterson. Summer practice was necessary, because, said Masterson, alt just takes a while to get back in the swing of marching. Interspersed between marching sea- son and beginning of concert season, the band worked on auditioning in Brass November for region orchestra, said Linda. Those who made region tried out for state orchestra. However, this year no band members made state orchestra, although some students in orchestra succeeded in making state. In December, the symphonic band played a concert for the Rotary Club. Later the symphonic, concert, and cadet bands performed for Spring Branch Junior High. X Marching band, which was a combi- nation of the symphonic and concert bands, gave themselves a Christmas party where Drum Major Dirk Silva padded his belly to become Santa Claus. The party, at Senior Sarah Har- well's house, was held on the night of the last Friday before the holidays. Band students drew names and then exchanged toys which they donated to the DePelchin Faith Home. The band members presented a round trip ticket to Mr. Greenberg to see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which, according to Linda, was the one thing he wanted to dof' The organization of the band was slightly complex to an outsiderg it was divided into four bands and a newly formed stage band. Training band, the lowest band, was basically a beginners classf' according to Senior Linda Donaho. '4They don't play in a group or ensemble, added Linda. SENIOR SARAH HARWELL and Sophomore Judi Cooper divide their attention between the music and conductor Mr. Jack Greenberg in concert band. Photo by Kathy Epps. Cadet band, the next level, competed in contest and was Nan active organized band with sections, said Linda. Cadet band occasionally combined with marching band in concerts. The second highest, Concert Band, combined with Symphonic Band, the top band, to march on field during football games. Competition in these bands was more active, with tryouts for bands at the end and middle of the year. With an estimated 17 players, Stage Band was created for the first time by Greenberg, according to Silva. We're just playing through a lot of music, said Silva. Band officers included President Linda Gall, Vice President Deirdre Happe, Treasurer Denise Pierson, and Secretaries Belinda Baird and Maurene Moffett. Band sweetheart was Janet Hacker. Auditions for district, region, area, and state chairs resulted in 18 students making region, 3 of them placing in top chairs. Top: SURROUNDED BY NOTES OF DESPERA- TION, such as see me today! and sectional rehearsals this week, Director Jack Greenberg directs the Symphonic Band on the piece Hindsmith with full concentration.