Mexico High School - Mascot Yearbook (Mexico, MO)

Page 111 text:

Music with a beat, by the Ovaitt Brothers, sets the pace for dancing at the Sweetheart dance. fbelowj Dixie Grays, under the direction of john Willer, perform Suite Concertante by Nelhybel during the formal winter concert held February 14 at Presser Hall. Organizations 107 3

Page 110 text:

Concert Listeners Hear New Sound With Mike Shoemaker at the piano, Mr. john Willer and the Dixie Grays presented a piano concerto at the seventeenth annual formal band concert. The se- lection, lohn Thompson's Concerto in D Minor, was an experiment forthe band this year and was well received by the audience. Following the concert, band members and their guests attended the Sweetheart Dance held at the Empire Club. To start the dance, Mr. Willer crowned Alan VanWyngarden and Carol james as king and queen, with Nancy Erdel, Keith Aussieker, Kathy At- kins, and Tim Baker as their attendants. The members of the court were nominated and elected by the band about three weeks before the dance. Suspense grew as February 14 drew near since Mr. Willer had made it very clear that the ballots would remain in a sealed envelope until they were counted the night of the dance. After the crowning, Queen Carol was presented a charm bracelet from the band and King Alan received an l.D. bracelet. To carry out the theme of the Valentine's Day date, traditional hearts and cupids were used as decora- tions. The Ovaitt Brothers of Columbia provided the music with the Band Mother's Club serving the refresh- ments. Alan Vanwyngarden and Carol james Iabovel pose with attendants Nancy Erdel, Keith Aussieker, Tim Baker, and Kathy Atkins after being crowned king and queen at the annual Sweetheart Dance. 106 Organizations

Page 112 text:

Band Entertains Higginsville High, Willer's Hometown Higginsville, Missouri, became not just an ordinary town with an ordinary high school for the Dixie Gray band tour this year. For here was the school which once gave Director john Willer a high school di- ploma. That's Mr. Willer! exclaimed band members as a picture of him with curly hair and rosy cheeks was passed around. After a well received concert at Higginsville, the band moved on to their destination, Kansas City and the Muhlebach Hotel. While in Kansas City, the band toured several places including the Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac Assembly Plant, Liberty Memorial and the Nelson Art Gallery. On the return trip from Kansas City, the 144 members stopped at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri. Money raised by the band from magazine and chocolate sales, and the concession stands at the music festival made the trip possible. The Dixie Grays received a I rating at the District Music Festival held at MHS on March 28 and 29. The selections played were Yelva and The Silken Ladder. May 'IT brought the seventeenth annual Parade of Bands at Presser Hall. The Dixie Grays opened their part of the show with a tympany roll and Host- rauser's March and closed with the Star Spangled Banner. At a break halfway through the program, Kirby Allen, master of ceremonies, introduced the seniors who were playing their last concert with the Dixie Grays. The seniors surprised Mr. Willer with a movie camera as a gift of appreciation. DIXIE GRAY MAIORETTESZ ILEFT TO RIGHTJ Lynda Williams, Ar- dith Loehnig, Iudy Sunderland, Debbie Deason, Nancy Erdel, Car- ol Iames, Kathy Atkins, and Cathy Matthews ICENTERJ, NOT PIC- TURED: Kim Mundy tdrum majorettel and Debbie Iett. DIXIE GRAY LETTERETTESZ CLEFT TO RIGHTJ Ann Whitaker, joy Stephenson, Sue Woods, Judy Duggins, Marilyn Melahn, and Vickie Barnes. 'I08 Organizations