Monacan High School - Legend Yearbook (Richmond, VA)

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Join Together. The entire chorus pro- gram, including the Chamber Ensem- ble, makes beautiful music when they combine. Black Tie Affair. In top hats and black pants these chorus students fancifully entertain their audience. Singing In The Rain. Rain nor sleet nor snow will stop these singers from performing when the show must go on. Time Travelling. With talent and cre- ativity Melissa Chatfield, and the Chamber Ensemble bring high school in the Fifties to Monacan in the Eight- ies. Chorus 47

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The Color And Flair Of Singing Throughout the years, Mon- acan Choruses have added both color and flair to many Monacan events. This year started off with the ‘‘Monacan Quartet Plus Six.’”’ This group of guys from the Chamber En- semble sang at many school events including the football games, pep rallies, and even at lunches. The many moods capable of being conveyed by the chorus was demonstrated in the Christmas Concert, with songs ranging from the opera +, COS aa Se it Sy Ny Fy RE sak eee! Choir Of Angels. The ladies of the Monacan Chorus programs sing and look lovely at the Spring Chorus Con- cert 46 Chorus style of the Poloretzian Dance by Borodin, to many popular, traditional favorites of today. Monacan also had an excel- lent representation in the All- Regional Chorus this year in both the junior and the senior choruses. On March 17 all the Mona- can choruses went to Clover Hill to participate in the 1984 Festival. The Chamber En- semble, Girls Chorus, Mixed Chorus, and Combined Chorus competed with many schools from Chesterfield County and Surrounding areas. All the Monacan choirs received one or superior ratings in their per- formances. On April 3-8, the choruses, after raising over $3000, em- barked on a new encounter. They traveled on two Winn buses to Lake Buena Vista, Florida to compete in the Great Southern Choral Clas- Sic: To round out a great year, the choruses put on their an- WaeniincnnabeiniasisitmonTiiows nual Spring Concert. This in- cluded dance numbers by the mixed chorus, A West Side Story medley by the Chamber Ensemble, some oldies by the entire group that included songs from Fame, Pippin, and other favorites. In conclusion, special congratulations go to Mr. Christopher Todd With- ers and Miss Teresa Marie Binns both of whom were elected Most Outstanding Chorus Students.

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Creativity Spurred By Knowledge Many students have found a refuge from the regular class- room procedures of memori- zation, papers, and daily notes by delivery into the arts. The Art Department features classes in photography and crafts as well as art classes ranging from Art | to Advanced Art. The photography classes study the different types of subject matter, ways to create interesting photographs, light- ing, and the different ways of creating photographic im- ages. Ms. Lynn Poulos teach- es all of Monacan’s photogra- phy classes. Monacan has its own dark room in which the students of the classes learn to develop their own film. When assignments are due it is not uncommon to see these picture-hungry students wan- dering the halls to find willing subjects to photograph. Students in crafts classes learn methods and techniques in such areas as basketry, weaving, metalworking and stitchery. Class members get to experiment and create with the skills they are taught. Beautiful baskets were cre- ated using grapevines and reeds. Those who worked with metals such as brass, copper, and pewter learned to safely use acids and blow torches to create jewelery and other small objects which were sold or kept and used by the own- ers. Students learned to weave using various types of looms and materials. The craftsman created scarves, shawls, and sweaters and oth- er useful articles. Stitchery was used in many different ways. Pillows, soft-sculpture, and wall hangings were often subjects of stitchery skills. The art classes are de- signed for enjoyment as well as betterment of skills in the visual arts. The Art | student is introduced to art and to many different components of a work of art. A first year Art stu- dent is shown just how many different ways of visual ex- pression are possible. Draw- ing and painting are only the tip of the iceberg for a first year art student. A second year art student delves deeper into the world of art. New techniques are in- troduced. Concepts are dis- cussed more in depth. Partici- pants are encouraged to learn more about art history and what is happening in modern art. The Advanced Art classes are for those students who have taken three, four, or five years of art. Students continue to work on improving their skills and techniques. Monacan has a fine art de- partment, which offers a wide range of classes. Mrs. Betty Brinser was recognized by her fellow teachers as an out- standing teacher. Also, the Chesterfield Fine Arts Festival gives the Art Department a chance to display its creativity and talent. In addition, this year the art students showed just what they could do by hav- ing art demonstrations during Virginia Art Week. Another opportunity to en- hance traditional classroom study by the Home Economics department. Students study cooking, sewing, home man- agement and anything else that deals with running a household efficiently. In the Home and Family Living course students learn about cooking, home management, and even how to plan and take part in a wedding. The Art and Home Econom- ics Departments feature classes in which students are encouraged to watch and then act. Not many written tests are given, but the real tests are given each day by the per- forming of what has been dem- onstrated and taught. The re- sults of the lessons learned here is in the improvement and the creativity spurred by the knowledge absorbed. With This Ring. Although the ring, for that matter, the ceremony was only a simulation, the performances at the wedding of Wendi Pohlig and David Terry were convincing. Display of Talent. For the benefit of an interested observer, Senior Tris Lipscomb demonstrates the ability that is representative of the art de- partment. 48 Art andHome Economics Departments