Thomas Carr Howe Community High School - Hilltopper Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

Page 15 text:

Top: Seniors Regina Garza and Steve Rubick take the roles of Lady and Lord of the Manor at a Madrigal feast. Above: Drum major Becky LeMaire readies the band for a performance. Left: Lori Marshall, Gma Quintero. and Jeff Babbs practice during a class period. Music 1 1

Page 14 text:

Musicians have good year Activity in Howe ' s traditionally strong music department continued at full strength in spite of I.P.S. staff and budget cutbacks. Perform- ing groups put on all the traditional public shows and did very well in competition against groups from other schools. On the instrumental scene, the year ' s big- gest news was the return of band orchestra director David Poncar, who had initially been given his release as part of the system-wide reduction in force. Poncar ' s return gave the instrumental groups some much-needed con- tinuity as they have had a number of different directors within a short time span. Although both band and orchestra were small in size, the marching band continued to draw members in spite of restrictions caused by bussing and lack of private musical training on the part of most of its members. Few city students own their own instruments, and most of them depend upon the school music instructor for all of their training. The orchestra lagged behind in recruiting as fewer students each year have previous train- ing on orchestra instruments. The marching band continued to receive special attention, including the support of an active band parents group. This year the band traveled to Charleston, Indiana, for the South- ern Indiana Festival and also went to the Jen- nings County Invitational, where it placed third in band competition. Highlights of the year included marching in the 500 Festival Parade and receiving new uniforms in school colors to replace the unpopular blue and white uniforms. Because of numbers the orchestra restricted its performances to the traditional ones. High- lights included the Pops Concert and the spring musical. The vocal groups, directed by Tom Lewis and Bob Bramblett, had successful years in spite of their youth and inexperience. Both the concert choir and the Varsity Singers did well in competition. The concert choir produced a state-finalist effort for the Indiana School State Music Association, and the Varsity Singers made an outstanding effort at the Show Choir Contest. Several Howe vocalists also had an opportunity to sing in the All-City Concert Choir with the Indianapolis Symphony Orches- tra at the Circle Theater on February 28. Because of scheduling problems, the Madri- gal Singers restricted their dinner perfor- mances to two nights on the Howe stage. Seniors Steve Rubick and Regina Garza were cast as Lord and Lady of the Manor. The music department continues to do a superior job of showcasing student talents in spite of the many problems facing the schools. Upper right: Jon Martin, one of the music department ' s Concert, most active members, performs with the Madrigals. Right: Bagpiper Russell Oberholtzer presents a striking Above: Pedro Scott and Guy Booher sing out in the Pops image as he performs in kilts at a Madrigal feast. 10 Mus ic

Page 16 text:

Upper left: Concert choir members entertain an appreciative audience at the annual Pops Concert. Upper right: Marching band members move in step during a halftime performance. Above: Phil Eichacker reads the rules of the Madrigal feast to the audience. Right: Instrumental director David Poncar conducts the orchestra in performance. 12 Music