Busy Year for New Director The band was extremely busy this year. Under the guidance of new director Bill Henley, the band program grew to include a stage band. Marching season began with the start of school. Although the band was rained out three times, the students spent a great deal of time working on shows. The band was fortunate to have popular songs, thanks to the skillful arranging of Mr. Henley. Concert band followed marching season. Originally scheduled for three concerts, the band performed only twice due to a snowstorm. Bret Zvacek and Julie Dean soloed with the band for one concert. The concert band also traveled to Daytona Beach, Florida in May. Jazz band was a new and welcome addition this year. Much enthusiasm and dedication was required to get the group put together. With two before school rehearsals every week, the band improved rapidly. Coffee House was the band's first public performance. The band went to its first festival at Coe College in January. Bret Zvacek and Keith Elias received soloist awards. In March the band traveled to Oelwein for the North East Iowa district competition. The band placed second, qualifying for state competition. Bret and Keith again received soloist awards. On April 22, the band went to Des Moines for state jazz band competition. Although the band did not place in the top three, they performed very well. Brian Revers and Keith Elias received soloist certificates. Bret Zvacek received a soloist trophy, one of four given in the class. Some band members also attended honor bands throughout the year. Bret, Keith and Julie Dean qualified for all state band, the highest honor available to music students. Kathy Poduska, Kathy Uthoff, Dave Kerber, Debbie Ashbacher, LaDonna Townsend, Joanne Wolf and Bennie Grimm, attended NEIBA honor band in Independence, Iowa. Julie Dean, Kathy Poduska, Laurie Machacek, Kathy Uthoff and Debbie Ashbacher took part in the Tallcorn Festival at UNI where Kathy Poduska was selected as a soloist for the concert. Julie, Keith, Kathy P., and Donna Erenberger participated in the Coe Honor Band. Julie, Bret, Keith and Kathy performed in the Iowa Honor Band in Iowa City, the final honor band for the year. Band members were very successful at small group contest, bringing home 20 I's, 10 IPs and 2 Ill's. Those receiving I's on solos were: Bennie Grimm, Julie Dean, Lynn Schrader, Kathy Poduska, Keith Elias (alto and tenor sax), Kathy Uthoff, Bret Zvacek and Joanne Wolf. The following ensembles received division I ratings also: clarinet trio, brass quartet, clarinet quartet, clarinet choir, woodwind choir, sax duet, clarinet duet, flute duet, flute/clarinet duet, woodwind trio and the brass quintet. The band ended the year with a performance in the Eastern Iowa Band Festival parade and at graduation exercises. Right: Grandpa, what a large hat you have! Bennie Grimm in uniform. Below: Could someone buy these three girls a music stand?! — Kathy Uthoff, Julie Dean and Vicky Prachar. Below: Row 1: Julie Dean, Kathy Uthoff, Kathy Poduska, Merrilee Freeburg, Kathy Gause. Row 2: Dian Gallagher, Deanne Tomash, Iris Riley, Debbie Willis, Donna Erenberger, Sherry McGurk, Tracy Tollefson, Becky Larson, Tracy Camp, Diane McGurk, Connie Feldmann. Row 3: Jim Buresh, Carolyn Voss, Amy Greenlief, Sharon Potter, Audrey Pospisil, Debbie Ashbacher, LaDonna Townsend, Joanne Wolf, Colleen Dougherty, Laurie Machacek, Aimee Gregor, Keith Elias. Row 4: Dave Kerber, Pam Riggs, Brad Luther, Randy Zbanek, Kirk Statler, Darrell Truitt, Scott Ollinger, 132
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