Memorial High School - Reata Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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IQ. an 415. VP l f 1 X- it N N X s N.-. P 2 f - xx X .Y x X XI W t t e it tx asa bottle of orange soda, Freshman Heads upraised, members of the Chantelairs Drury waits to begin a dance to the song perform at the annual Christmas Vespers con- Bottle Hoedown at the Touch of Class cert. The group performed sacred and popular concert. Photo by Iim Tomforde. carols. Photo by lim Tomforde. 'fa Concert choir is a steppingstone to Chantelairs and Chorale. Miss Coloma Lafferty intensely conducts Freshman baritones Iames Harres, Matt Peterson and bass David White. Photo by Scott Oleman. Necessary Choir rehearsals perfect the groups performance during a morning practice. Singing her part is Senior Anna Gregory. Photo by lim Tomforde. Choir O 261

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I1 ' Smaller choirs add new horizonsg Glrhonor old traditions, set new ones s F du... W li Hams ws..-. 260 I Choir s -ss. Musical abilities appear in many forms such as vocals and sightreading. Freshman Beth Weinamn, Iaine Bartlett and Stacey Schepps sing in choir. Photo by Scott Coleman. Time has a way of changing certain customs, but some traditions remain unaltered. The Choir Department under the direction of Miss Coloma Lafferty retained the traditions of its past, yet added new dimensions. In the past, the Chorale, the top performing mixed choir, had been a group of approximately 70-80 members. The group was diminished to exactly 40 members out of necessity. With this smaller choir, there were new possibilities. The Chorale took a retreat September 19-Z0 which allow- ed members to get to know each other outside of the choir room. It was a neat way to get to know everyone in the choir, said Senior Gretchen Cant. All activity was not limited to the Chorale. The Concert Choir and Girls' Choir had performances of their own to prepare for. Both choirs participated in an Open House Con- cert October 22 in which the Choir Dressed in their casual uniforms, Chorale members perform at the Touch of Class con- cert. The concert was held to recruit junior high students. Photo by lim Tomforde. Department hosted Spring Bran and Memorial Iunior High Choirs. Another consistent part of the ch tradition was the Chantelairs. larger choir than the Chorale, t Chants had a new found pride their group. Because there are few openings in the Chorale t caliber of the Chants is very goo said Iunior Mary Lynch. As always, there was one traditi which alone represents the Ch Department: Christmas Vespe December 20 was a special date the Chorale and Chantelairs. T night is the most significant and m fulfilling night of the year, s Senior Carolyn Yapp. Tradition has its consequenc however, and after 29 years teaching and a serious car accid Miss Lafferty was forced to tak leave of absence. I got thro Vespers but I didn't know how m longer I could push myself, she sa' ii! by Holli McCuistion and Cara Pi Students found that singing in Miss Laffer choirs was much work and little p Freshman Pam Stubblefield and Mary O'Br focus on music. Photo by Scott Coleman

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Baetge instigates new grade roles, ag I I maintains tradition of high quality 2 O Band Band members require coordination to move fingers as quickly as their minds want. lunior Ienni Martin and Sophomore Gina Baudat nimbly toot. Photo by Scott Coleman, Change was the one word that best described the Mustang Marching Band of last season. The most notable change involved the installation of Mr. Fred Baetge as band director. Gther changes included stricter rules and a new tougher grading system. Controversy arose over a few of the rules. One of the most controversial rules required band members to make up absences by remaining for one hour after school. I thought the rules were unfair but eventually the problems were work- ed out, said Sophomore Raymond McCall. Band members had to study harder to keep up with the grading system. Mr, Baetge's new grading rules were hard to adjust to at first, but like everything else that changed we got used to it and accepted it, said Senior Ann Walker. Sectionals offered more individual help Sectionals are more relaxed than other band rehearsals. You get more personal attention and a lot more accomplished, said Ann. Both work and sacrifice were re- quired of band members. Sectionals after school, private lessons, mar- ching practice, and practice at home were all a part of the work necessary Carefully studying her music, Sophomore Lynn Brown plays the flute during practice. Concert practice takes time during and after school. Photo by Doug Whitehead. to be a band member. During ma ching season those kids didn't lea' until 5:30, commented Mr. Baetge. However, marching season was o ly one facet of band. It is a ye round activity, which many people not understand. lohn Q. Public ji doesn't realize how much work all dedication is put into the band, e- pressed Mr. Baetge. In addition to the '10 footba games, band had contests and tryou We had marching conte November 1 where we won a div sion one, said Mr. Baetge. Among the other events, the ba participated in the Region Ba tryouts Decmeber 13, U.I.L. Solo a Ensemble February 21, the Spri Concert April 14, and the U.I.L. C test April 28 through May 1. T Solo and Ensemble Contest are m of a personal goal to strive for a Memorial always has done we said Anne. Through hard work and dedi tion, the many changes and c troversies were overcome and Mustang Marching Band maintai its tradition of quality. Explained R ferty, We had a few problems we're still number one. YU by Larry Held and Iohn Morri Sectionals were required when music nee improvement. Freshman Erich Schw Iunior Bruce McManis and Freshman By Burt slide out songs. Photo by Doug Whiteh