Stratford High School - Mnemosyne Yearbook (Houston, TX)

Page 96 text:

et? time tbeoti Musicians study harmonies and rhythms Brushing up on his saxophone, Sopho- more Miles Fain practices with the Cadet Band. Miles has played the saxo- phone for four years and plans to tryout for the Concert Band next year. During a daily rehearsal, junior Ellen Kemp plays with violins Senior jill Green and junior Karen Elliott. Ellen qualified for All-State Orchestra. jarr- 92 music rom writing to playing and F singing, students studied the various facets of music. Described usually as a break in the day, music classes deviated from the usual classroom routine. The classes included four levels of band, four levels of choir, one orchestra class and one music theory class. Mr. Griff Miller directed the Orchestra and Training Band and taught the music theory class. Thirty-seven strings and 24 wind and percussion players from the Symphonic Band joined together to form the Orchestra. The world's greatest music was written for orchestra. It's a study of a musical art that you can hear anywhere in the world, commented Mr. Miller. The group's hard work paid off in al lrating of Superiorj in Concert Contest and all lrating of Excellentj in Sight Reading Contest. Sophomore jean Breaux explained, Around contest time you start striving. You start feeling more unified. Like in rehearsals you're always stopping to practice certain phrases, but on stage you can hear you've produced something great. Wearing handmade arters, Seniors T Gwinn and Susan Paufare two members quartet singing Cabaret. The two first formed the act in the talent show and revised it for the choir production. Mimi Lvasure and Lori Montgomery the other members ofthe quartet. Before each performance, the students rehearsed after school if the section leader lfirst chairj thought it necessary. Their performances included a Chi Concert with Spring Forest junior High and playing at graduation the band. ln addition, Seniors Roxy Shafranek, Brian Boyer, and jill Greene, violinists, and Richard H cellist, juniors Ellen Kemp, vi jean Breaux, violinist, and Margie McCrory, french hornist, and sophomore Dawn Thomas, violi qualified for All-Region Orcr Roxy, Brian, Richard, Ellen, and Margie went on to play in the All- State Orchestra with Leah Hipple playing in the All-State Band. Mr. Miller commented, Orchestra is the most overlo musical study because it is so difficult. Becoming skilled is ali

Page 95 text:

vding over to assista friend from Kin- grove, Senior Carrie Cox participates a child development art class. We 'e making valentines and one little F just wouldn't do anything. vas cleaning up the kitchen and act- weird, explained junior Farrar Fol- '. Her second period homemaking s cooked many different types of d, including Farrar's favorite, a genu- Mexican dinner. ' ::g::f.:',?:r:::: -- :ll 3131 I1 25311 U rinsed-- af-115311 - musi- N W ,v 1 playing duck-duck-goose, lun Farley joins in entertaining the from Kindergrove. Suzan ned, The purpose was to see we could handle the kids. It was a change from our usual work. le Sophomore Kelly Dillon looks unior Farrar Folmar carefully mixes ing for her German chocolate cake. Carter slowly reads the recipe as r adds the ingredients. Farrar said enjoys her homemaking class use it is different. -.-P4 mn.. nw , .. Y :lg homemaking 91

Page 97 text:

ies' 'i 4' in hand, first chair cellist Senior hard Hill practices with the Orches- for graduation. Richard played with All-State Youth Symphony in Febru- Fiddling along with the Orchestra, lun- ior lean Breaux concentrates on her music. lean qualified for All-Region Orchestra as well as sitting first chair all year. uncommon. I have 37 kids that enjoy what we do. l hope they have gained some proficiency. As director of the choirs, Mrs. Virginia Derry prepared the four choirs for several concerts throughout the year. We're working all the time for a program, commented Senior leff Flinn. I enjoyed the class because it was more relaxed than most classes, and I knew all the people in it because we've been in the same class for four years. With only eight people in the class, Music Theory was one of the smallest and most individualized classes. Students studied chord progression, moderation, cadences, and part writing. The best part according to Senior Lynn Tuttle, was no tests. With no break after the long marching season, the band began preparing for U.l.L. Concert and Sight Reading Contest. The Concert Band, whose contest was held here, received a I ta rating of Superiorj in Concert Contest and a I in Sight Reading Contest. The Symphonic Band received a I in Concert Contest and all in Sight Reading Contest. Whether writing, playing or singing, music students were in an unusual class. music' 93