February 2011 Chatterbox - Ruston High School

T
he Arts
Chatterbox
Ruston High School February 14, 2011 Page 18
Busy, Busy Band!
by Emily Moore
Arts Reporter
On January 21, 2011, the band members got a surprise visitor, Sergeant Nash, a member of
the Marine Corp from Minden, Louisiana, who came to speak to the band about the Marine Corp
Band. He visits every year to educate band members on their talents that can be used for government
jobs. When asked what she thought about the band, Anna Scroggins exclaimed, ―Have you
ever seen them [Marine Corp band] They‘re great! I‘d love to play for them.‖ Other Ruston
High musicians had compliments to share as well. In reference to Sgt. Nash‘s presentation, Zach
Bertrand said thoughtfully, ―He had a lot of interesting things to say.‖ Other band members admired
him for other reasons entirely, like Marcie McTyre who said, ―I like their uniforms. I like
their uniforms a lot.‖ Sgt. Nash gave serious musicians something to think about after graduation.
January 27 th -29 th was the District One Band Director‘s Association Honor Band Clinic. These
members were featured in last month‘s Chatterbox edition and traveled to the University of Louisiana
in Monroe to perform with other band members from surrounding schools who made it.
The Courtside Cats have been playing at the basketball games to induce school spirit and will
continue playing for the rest of the season! Watching the game isn‘t the only reason to attend
anymore. On February 25, the South Central Regional Music Conference and Honor Band will
be held at the Monroe Civic Center. ―I‘m looking forward to playing with Bradlee and Sam
[fellow percussionist],‖ McKenzie Rhodes said. This conference is the pre-festival decision. It
leads up to the LMEA Large Ensemble Festival that will be held at West Ouachita High School
on March 8 th and 9 th . The Bearcat band will surely be busy in the upcoming months.
Singing with the
Stars
by Emily Moore
Arts Reporter
The month of January gave the choir a small
break, but this month they have to jump right
back on the train! During January, choir members
were called to the auditorium for a special
concert by Southern Mississippi University‘s
Men‘s Choir. However, Ruston wasn‘t the only
party that felt honored to be visited by such
talent. John Flanery, Assistant Director of Choral
Activates at SMU stated, ―Greg Odom
bragged that Ruston has some of the best singers
in the state, so we decided to come check
out the school and do a little recruiting for
Southern Miss.‖ Southern Mississippi‘s choir
members heard good things about Ruston‘s
choir as well. ―I was referred [to Ruston] by
Greg Odom from West Monroe High School,
he pointed out that Ruston has the best Choral
program in the state of Louisiana,‖ member
Cameron Weatherford said. When Jonathon
Braannan, another member of the visiting college‘s
choir was asked what advice he had for
students looking to major in music, he said,
―Go ahead and do whatever it takes to get
scholarships, and look everywhere, not just at
one college. Just go for it because music is one
of the most enjoyable majors.‖
Tomorrow, February 15 th there will be a
Solo and Ensemble Festival here in Ruston. Jon
Barker is going to judge for this event. This
festival is the district qualifier for the state
rally. The state rally will be held at LSU in
April and there‘s no doubt the bearcat choir
will dominate.
Charles Bruffy, whom was introduced in
earlier Chatterbox editions, will finally be arriving
at the end of February. If you didn‘t read
previous choir articles, you may not be familiar
with who Charles Bruffy is. Charles Bruffy
conducts the Kansas City Chorale, Kansas City
Symphony Chorus, and the Phoenix Chorale.
He has received numerous awards including
ASCAP‘s Adventurous Programming award
and TWO ACTUAL GRAMMYS! He has performed
all over the world in places like Carnegie
Hall, the Sydney Opera House in Australia,
and in countries like South Korea and France.
The famous Charles Bruffy will be holding
workshops and rehearsals for the RHS choir on
February 24 th and 25 th , leading to a concert on
the 26 th at 11:00 am in the Ruston High auditorium.
All of the choir members are super excited
and beyond anxious for his arrival. Christian
Amos stated enthusiastically, ―I hope he
brings his Grammys!‖ Other members of the
bearcat choir share in his admiration for
Charles Bruffy. Andrew Serio made the compliment
that ―Charles Bruffy is a god!‖
The choir members are getting chances of a
lifetime. It is an honor to work with these astute
musicians. With celebrities like Charles
Bruffy, and Valerie Naranjo, who is coming to
help with ―Bearcats on Broadway‖ next month,
Ruston High is on its way to fame.
Art
submitted by Mrs. Strickler
Art Teacher
The Art Club slowed down through the holidays but is back in full swing
for the new semester! Members are challenging themselves as they take on
school and community service projects. The club officers have been elected
and they are President, Diamond Melton; Co Vice-Presidents, Haley McCalman
and Mayisha Nakib; Historian, Jeb Rodriguez; and Co Secretaries,
Chelsea Jenkins and Anna Smith. They are brainstorming some great ideas
for the remainder of the school year. For example, several of the more artistic
members will be helping me with the backdrop for the upcoming Bearcats
on Broadway production in March. Plans are also underway to visit with
a pre-k or kindergarten group to complete an arts and crafts project. We look
forward to even more projects as the opportunities arise in the future.
We have all your music needs at
Piney Hills Music!!
214 N. Trenton Street
232-3002