Perry Meridian High School - Passages Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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Randy Head ' 87 is attentive in orchestra. ed class to their image and gave recognition to the group. An oboe and a bassoon were added to the Ust of over 12 instruments played by students in Symphonic Band. Another expansion to the Sym- phonic Band was the number of students enrolled in the class. Enroll- ment had gone up in the past two or three years quite a bit. Out of 65 students in the class, there were 20 seniors, 15 juniors, and 10 sophomores. Freshmen had to take Freshman Band before going into another instnunental class. For the first time, the state re- quirements for all instrumental classes included students taking semester written exams. A midterm and written final were used to help determine the students ' grades. Several awards were given out in various categories of instrumental music. Many students from Perry Meridian earned recognition and honors for their musical talents. Brad Rees ' 83 played the sax- ophone in the jazz band during his en- tire high school career. He went on to Concentration on tuning her bass, Joanny Mueller ' 84 gets ready to show her skills in class. form h is own band, Mainstream, who played at the school-sponsored party for the honor students in February. He was a drtim major and had accompanied the jazz band on the bass for three years. Brad won the Department Award in 1983 for his excellent participation in the music program. David Smith ' 84 and Lisa Yen ' 83 achieved a great honor for their in- strumental accomplishments. They both were chosen for the All-State Orchestra. To get this honor, they auditioned by playing a particular piece of music selected by the Indiana Band Masters Association. There were 12 audition centers in Indiana at which the judges selected the top people. The best in the state were picked out for the All- State Band. Violinists Christine Lee ' 84 and Tom Chow ' 84 were selected for All- State Orchestra. Mrs. Eads said, One auditioned by recording their performance on tape. If one was picked to go on, they performed at the IMEA (Indiana Music Educators Association) convention. There were several thousand music teachers from all over the state. Christine was named concert mistress of Perry ' s orchestra which meant she was the top person in the orchestra. INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 157

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P9I Ittstritmeiitalists Make Music Together Even if one didn ' t think playing an instrument was his bag, he could have tried one of Pern ' Meridian ' s in- strumental music classes. There were several tN-pes of music one could choose among. One could play jazzy, marching, orchestraic, s miphonical- ly, or peppy in concerts, contests, in the heat, in the freezing cold, at camp, in the g Tn, or just in the classroom. Orchestra, which was taught by Mrs. Carol Eads, was made up of •iolins, violas, ceUos, basses, flutes, oboes, bassoons, clarinets, and other instruments. Kim Henard ' 87 played the viola in Mrs. Eads ' second period class. They were learning new and advnaced skills, and she looked forward to mo ' ing on. Kim planned to continue her musical education until after her graduation. I was really looking for- ward to playing in different places, she said. Mrs. Eads took her orchestra to the Indiana State School Music Association Organizational Contest, also known as I S S M A The players were classified in the group I Mrs. Eads keeps the beat going and the class alive in her second period orchestra class. Wendy Morris ' 84 demonstrates her technique of holding the violin while smiling happily. category, which meant they com- peted with the top orchestras in the state. PM musicians received a top rating in the event. Mrs. Eads said many were doing well in her class. A string ensemble made up of the top people from each section performed by request throughout the year at community functions. This was very well received. Dr. Carolyn Wendt gave a two-part lecture on music from the African na- tions. Dr. Wendt earned her Ph.D. at Indiana University in ethno- musicology. She spent nearly two years living in the desert regions of Northern Africa. This was a good op- portvinity for students to obtain knowledge on foreign music that many took advantage of. Christine Lee ' 84 played the violin in orchestra. She was a finalist in the Indianapolis Symphony Yoimg Musi- cians ' contest. This was the highest honor in orchestra one coidd receive in the state of Indiana. If one wanted to continue a musical career after high school, I would recommend getting into Sym- phonic Band, said Matt Mueller ' 85. Matt had played percussion since he was in the fifth grade. He had been in the Symphonic Band for two years and considered it great experience. Matt joined a group called Direct Hit, a band that plays after school and on weekends at various places. As one can see, the PM music pro- gram was a benefit after, as well as before graduation. An imfaimess that was brought up by a student was that there should be more separation between class par- ticipation grades and extra-curricular activities. If you can not participate in an after-school activity, then your grade should not be affected, said Tim Amdt ' 84. Tim played the trom- bone for three years in the Symphonic Band and was also in Then-and-Now. He claimed that . . . you do learn a lot about your instrument and musical theories. Also, your whole family can take part in the activities. In the past two years, new outfits have been ordered. This addition add- 156 INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC

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Additions Aid Easiness and Performanee The philosophy of the vocal department was that for every student who had a desire to be involved in a vocal organization there was a place to go. Talent and acquisition of skill determined to what level he rose. Progression from the middle school to the high school was accepted as automatic. No one needed to audition to advance into freshman level courses because it was thought that the middle school furnished the basic knowledge of skills in singing. The vocal department encouraged stu- dents who wanted to have a singing profession to stay in the program for four years. Perry Meridian was active in both state and local functions. Perry was a member of the Indiana State School Music Association, an organization which made it possible for students to participate in contests and festivals each year. It was expected that all members to be present at all rehearsals and performances. Absences affected the student ' s Donna Billiard ' 84, Michelle Moye ' 84, and Matt Hash ' 85 rehearse for Then and Now. grade . New additions added a little in more easiness and better performance. The vocal department hired a new teacher, Miss Maud Hickey, to come in half days to assist teachers of the music department by team-teaching two classes. Mrs. Ann Sanders, Then and Now, freshman, intermediate, a capella, and advanced (swing) choir teacher, said, The Silvertones were put into the curriculum so they could rehearse two periods a week during the students ' a capella choir period. The other three days were spent in a capella choir in class. The department had acquired a new typewriter to type up tests and programs for concerts. Mrs. Sanders continued, We attained some chairs for rehearsals and stage performances. Good chairs were mandatory for good breathing techniques to produce good sounds. 158 VOCAL xMUSIC