Scotch Plains Fanwood High School - Culmen Yearbook (Scotch Plains, NJ)

Page 188 text:

GIRLS' CHOIR FEATURES BREATH CONTROL Girls' Choir is a group of tenth, eleventh, and twelfth grade girls interested in performing as a vocal group. The music they studied this year included a variety of unison, two-part, and three-part vocal selections. Emphasis was placed on the fundamental music techniques of breath control, tonal quality, and blend, which are essential to effective group singing. Works such as Et Exultavitl' from the g'Magnificat by J. S. Bach were representative of the performance of Girls, Choir under the direction of Mr. Brown. All-State Chorus members. Terry Ryan, Girls' choir poses candidlyC?J for the CULMEN photographer. Jeff Squires, Carol Vetere, Lou Coffman. FOUR STUDENTS ACCEPTED BY ALL-STATE CHORUS Each year, numerous high schools throughout the state coach certain music students who wish to try out for the All-State Chorus. After audition- ing, 350 of the students were accepted into the New Jersey All-State Chorus this year. After being chosen, the students re- ceived about ten pieces of music which they learned over the summer months without formal practice periods. Be- ginning in September, four group re- hearsals were held. The weekend of the teacher's convention, the chorus traveled to Atlantic City and practiced almost continuously from Thursday until Saturday when they presented a concert. The following week, the same concert was performed again in New- ark Symphony Hall, concluding an- other memorable year for the New Jersey All-State Chorus. 184

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CCNCERT CHOIR PRGDUCES A QUALITY SOUND Concert Choir, formerly known as Senior Chorus, broadened its membership to include Sophomores this year. Under the direction of Mr. Brown, approxi- mately 120 students successfully mastered the music which they presented at the Christmas and Spring concerts. Unable to meet in their entirety during school hours, the Concert Choir sometimes encountered difficulty in achieving a unified sound. Full rehearsals held after school helped to remedy this situation and produce a quality choir. Janeen Robertson, Carol Crosby, Joan Van Pelt, Hillary 52 VA by Q-2 35 Burton and others Prepare for the annual Christmas concert obj M 5 'ix A Qayofp ea xy-'Q' SMWQX

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The learning of a new piece in A Capella Choir is begun by sight-reading. Regina Lane, Sally Gilbert, Sheryl Flukinger, Gerry Shultz, Dave Multer. l Many hours of rehearsal under Mr. Brown's leadership prepare the students for their public performances. HTHE SINGERSH Las Contadoras is a select choir composed of twenty-four female voices. The girls com- peted for membership in the choir in late September and early October. Mr. Brown, director of all S.P.F.H.S. choral groups, judged the applicants on intonation, quality, musician- ship and their general knowledge of printed music and musical techniques. The girls rehearsed twice a week under the direction of Mr. Brown or one of the student- conductors and participated in the Christmas and Spring concerts. Membership in Las Contadoras, which is Spanish for The Singersfl demands capability and the desire to learn the intricacies of pre- cision choral music and is a satisfying experi- ence for the members of this four part choir. A CAPPELLA CHOIR JOINS MUSIC DEPARTMENT A new choral ensemble, A Cappella Choir, joined the Music Department this year. Members of the choir were chosen on a selective basis through auditions. Students who displayed more than an average talent in vocal music and wished to attempt more challenging works were urged to try out. Mr. Brown conducted A Cappella Choir in performing pieces from the classical to the contemporary in the annual choral department concerts. CULMEN presents Las Con in all it's glory.