Page 153 - 1987.Millard.North

Warming up and tuning their instru-
ments, the String Orchestra prepares to practice
"William Tell." (D. ROTHFUSS )
"One ... Two· ... Three . . . Four ... "
conducts Band Director Jim Johnson during a rehearsal
of "Sirocco." The marching band received a first divi-
sion rating when they performed this song at the Platts-
mouth Band Contest. (D. ROTHFUSS )

Bands Earn Appreciation

T and orchestra, and they did it because, as Ju-
hey added life and energy to pep ral-
lies, football and basketball games. nior Kelly Stiefel said, "It was a challenge to
They won first division ratings at con- perfect the marching patterns and songs, and
tests. They came to school a half hour early even though we complained sometimes, we
and marched around in the parking lot or on loved every minute of it." "In Orchestra we
a muddy field in rain, frost, and five degree got a chance to be with friends who shared
weather. Who were these people and why a common interest in music," added Junior
did they choose to suffer through these or- Jean Wei. Many students, such as Junior
deals? Kelly Rossum, thought that the band "was not
They were the ISO members of the band appreciated enough for the amount of work
we put in."
Whether they received appreciation or
not, one new change that, according to Senior
Greg Swallow, "really helped us get motivat-
ed" was Band Director Jim Johnson. John-
son said that he did not change the band much
from last year, but he was "mainly concerned
about getting the band to do its best."
One big change in Orchestra was the in-
crease in members. Since its first year, the
group has increased from seven to 65 pieces.
"This allowed it to be better sounding in the
pit at musicals and more competitive at con-
tests," said Orchestra Director Stan Ivy.
Johnson, Ivy, and Assistant Director Bob
Patterson all agreed that their groups "had im-
proved in quality as well as quantity." Most
students also agreed that whether they were
out on the football field or hidden in the or-
chestra pit, there would be a very unpleasant,
silent void in the school if these groups were
not here to fill the atmosphere with their mu-
sic. 'N
Lisa Ferris

Members of the brass section, Sophomore
Marc Speiker, Junior Kelly Rossum, and Senior Dave Sutton 149
rehearse a song for an upcoming concert. (P. MAHO-
NEY )

-- --
- -----~~-----------