Valparaiso High School - Valenian Yearbook (Valparaiso, IN)

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Retired Marine Band conductor LL Col. Dale Harpham pauses before taking the podium at the Bicentennial concert in February. Obstacles beget concert veterans 6:15 p.m.: After weeks of concen- tration on detail and precision, the last program of the year is now per- fected enough for the audience to hear. Musicians and vocalists, grab- bing their uniforms and formalwear, head for the dressing rooms confi- dent of their parts and ready to perform . 6:30 p.m.: Chatter in the cluttered dressing rooms always turns to the “inadequacy” and “lack of comfort” in concert dress, as preciously faded blue jeans and shoes — any color but black — are temporarily dis- carded. Comments such as These stupid pants are too short; it looks like I’m going to a flood!”, and other grumblings about ties that never stay on” or formals that look ridiculous” aren’t impromptu — they are ac- quired habits from previous concerts. 7:00 p.m.: Last-minute preparations are now in full swing, as specta- tors drift into the auditorium for the concert. Bandsmen meticulously tune their horns. Choir members go through their program one last time, making sure everything is completely memorized. Cases of anxiousness, butterflies, and trembling voices are common, but not serious. Everyone has dealt with such ordeals before the Christmas, pre-contest, and Bicenten- nial concerts. 7:30 p.m.: Performers make their last adjustments to hair and ties as they wait for the curtain to rise. The per- formance must now be at its peak — the people in the audience didn’t hear the program when it was being polished, and they can ' t notice any tremendous improvements made be- tween then and now. But band and choir members aren’t bothered or pressured because everything will be perfect. They know it has to be. Highlighting it performance in the Christ- mas concert with traditional carols, the Girls’ Combined Chorus sings Echo Carol.” 22 — Band Choir Concerts

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In an act inspired by the Jaws” craze, lifeguards Glenn Hartman and Bob Garrett remove a dead shark (Gary Goodman) from the pool. In a demonstration of her skills as a performer and choregrapher, show chairman Patti Maas works with Glenn Hartman in her duet Scandalous John. Watershow — 21

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Beth Dutcher sets a festive Christmas mood Changing the pace of the Christmas concert’s traditional yule- for children at the Christmas concert as she tide music, the Concert Band, directed by Mr. Robert Miller, sings Up On the Housetop. opens it segment of the program with His Honor” march. After weeks of preparation. Concert Choir The Symphonic Band accompanies the picolo trio of Sara Wood- soloist Claudia Williamson sings The Magic row, Jennifer Butt, and Carolyn Schnure as they play the coun- of Christmas. termelody to John Phillip Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever. Band Choir Concerts — 23