Stratford High School - Mnemosyne Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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' 1 'N fury: . iq, fr ,W f 'H Singing songs ot the season, mem- bers of the advanced choir, Karen Finberg, junior, and Sophomores I really like being in the Chorale, explained Pam Smith, sophomore, it gives me the chance to do something llike, singing, Vikki Rutherford, Karen lce, Nancy Kern, and Jo Ellen Million, rehearse lor the Christmas program. It's a break in the day, said both Bob and Joe Barrus, seniors, music really relaxes us and sets us in a good mood. 1 so 4 ' 'fir V if if iv. r On the up-beat, Mrs. Virginia Derry, Stratford 's choir and Chorale teacher, leads the class through their songs, music 79

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fter all this, man needed to rest, and he found that certain sounds were relaxing and he f named these sounds notes In Thus came . . . 'MQ FN For many music students, these levels combine to the end of the day meant form the Symphony 'iris We were laughing at another of Mr. I enjgy playing the cello, but there Brashear's music theory jokes are a few disadvantages, explained explained freshmen Jenni Newlands Freshman Erica Garrison. and Linda Dodds. l 78 music We were just practicing on our tunes before Symphonic Band class, explains Senior Holly Heise and Sophomore Gershom Garcia. that the work wasjust beginningg after school, students were met with hours of practice. These kids really work hard, and they have to learn it, commented Mrs. Virginia Derry about her choir students. Orchestra Leader Mr. Griff Miller added, The ones who are really trying to become fine players will practice anywhere from an hour and a half to four hours. One of the main things that keeps us awake during the long practices is, believe it or not, Mr. Fitch's sense of humor, remarked Junior Pete Tesarek, Symphonic Band member. Pete enjoys band because you get to associate with so many different people. Many changes took place in the band this year. The band changed styles of marching because the trends of music were changing, remarked Band Leader Mr. Flandy Fitch. A new assistant band director, Mr. Mike Brashear, was added to the music staff. He brought a lot of new ideas to the band, commented Pete. Most of the orchestra students have at least three years' experience in junior high, remarekd Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller teaches orchestra levels I-IV all in one periodg Orchestra. The Orchestra's main productions this year were the Christmas concert in December and another concert in the spring. In addition to directing the Orchestra, Mr. Miller teaches the music theory class. Music theory is understanding how music is written and how it's formed, explained Mr. Miller, and learning howto manipulate the skills in writing and arranging music. The students were actually required to write music as part of the course. Choir students started their day at 7:15 with section practice once a week. That's the only way we can really work up all this music, said Mrs. Derry. We just can't get it done in one day. Choir students presented two Christmas assemblies in addition to their Christmas show. There is a lot of hard work and extra practice behind all of our shows, commented Chorale Member Nancy Archer, junior, but it seems to bring the choir closer together when we sing a certain song very well - we know it - and it's a real accomplishment, and something the whole choir can be proud of. ltjust makes the time worthwhile.' JUS 'kwsw' rl

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hile listening to his music, man wondered how he could express to others exactly how he felt, and while trying to act out his D r H m H feelings, he created ........... ui it 1 'iff' 1 ,KM Sophomore Pam Smith recites her Juniors Kim Giese and Dory Jezek lines in a single drama skit. Pam, who listen to a student speak to the class is also in chorale, finds performing in abouta playin their speech class. front of others difficult, but a worth- while challenge. 80 drama We introduce basic acting skills, make up, the technical aspect, and theater historyg but there is no specialization, commented Mrs. Carolyn Boone about her Drama l course. She had three periods of Drama l and two periods combining Drama ll and lll, which encouraged creativity through acting. Senior Amy Lloyd, Drama I student, received the lead in the winter production, Black Comedy, and a part in the spring show, On the Air. My favorite things we did in class was the duets, commented Amy. They were fun and a good learning experience because the class would critique you. Make up was the most fun to me, said Sophomore Pam Smith, Drama l student. I used my knowledge to help in On the Air. Drama ll specializes in i ? acting and helps with the technical aspects of shows because students are required to work on shows,' said Mrs. Boone. The best thing I did this year was working on On the Air in 1940, said Junior Sheila Cogburn, because I liked to see the characters develop, and the audience's reactions to the characters and the situation. My favorite part of the Drama ll year, said Junior Lance Morgan, was the program we did on the history of musicals. Drama lll is mainly working on shows and directing, said Mrs. Boone. Drama Ill Student Junior Margaret Dunkley commented, I had fun directing On the Air, but the high point of my year was being in the U.l.L. fUniversity interscholastic Leaguej show Pippin. mf sf ,W I 5 l 6 l wigs , u l 1