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Evansville North Instrumental Music Program History
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The Eighties |
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1984 - 1985 The Marching Huskies had a very successful season, capturing 14 trophies for their performances. A large part of the success was due to some changes in the marching band program. The Huskettes, who had previously been a dance-only group, was now incorporated in the drill, doing the flag and dance routines for the band. There were 8 other girls chosen to perform rifle routines. This large auxiliary group added a new dimension to the Marching Huskies. The band also incorporated an electric bass player (Lance Morton) on the field. Victor Thompson again led the band as the drum major. The orchestra grew to 21 members. 1985 - 86 - Major changes occurred during this school year. The EVSC went to the middle school concept - Evans and Oak Hill were now the 2 middle schools feeding North. The band purchased new uniforms after several years of being in a temporary uniform. These new uniforms created a classy new look - white coats with kelly green trim, black pants, and a kelly green cape. In sync with this new image came a new name for the marching band - from "Marching Huskies" to the "Green Brigade." This name created a unique identity for the group. The band would now be recognized as one of the most entertaining bands in southern Indiana. Victor Thompson and Dirck Stahl (current Evansville lawyer) would lead the Green Brigade as the drum majors. Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd was the spring musical. Photo: Victor Thompson and Dirck Stahl |
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1986 - 87 - This was probably the most significant year for the North program! In October, the Green Brigade was honored by being asked to represent Evansville and perform for President Reagan's visit to Evansville! The rally drew a capacity crowd at Roberts Stadium - President Reagan acknowledged the North Band on the public address system! In the fall, Mr. Shelley held a press conference to announce that the Green Brigade had been invited to perform in the Peach Bowl Game and Parade in Atlanta, Georgia! In addition, the band would perform in Disneyworld at the EPCOT Center! The North Band would be the first Evansville band to take a major trip since the 1972 Bosse Band, under the direction of Mr. Larry Eifler, travelled to the Munich Olympic Games. Overseeing these projects and helping to have them funded, was Mr. Stephen Dillehay, president of the band boosters. Through his guidance, the booster club saw tremendous growth and production. The boosters helped to purchase the first ever band equipment trailer. The band was led by senior drum major Doug Briody (currently an Evansville lawyer) and sophomore Kimber Weber (Scarlett). The spring musical was "Little Shop of Horrors." North was the first high school in the country to gain rights to perform this musical. 1987 - 88 - Because of the new middle school format, the purchase of new uniforms, and the previous year’s success and recognition, the Green Brigade increased in size to 114 members. Juniors Kimber Weber and Kim Bean led the band as the drum majors. The group had a strong percussion section with the 2 best players in Evansville - Randy Kiesel and Erik Varden. The orchestra grew to over 30 members, performing at State solo and ensemble, for several functions at North, and also for the spring musical. New this year was the formation of the North District Instrumental Music Festival, which was formed to bring together the middle school and high school band and orchestra students. The program would be held in December and would feature a 100-member string orchestra and a 200-member massed band. North presented Peter Pan as the spring musical. |
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Photo: Angie Vollman,Kimber Weber, Randy Kiesel at ISSMA District Contest in Jasper |
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1988 - 89 - The band attended camp in August at Oakland City College. Featuring a strong group of seniors, the North Band ended years of frustration by receiving a Division I rating at the ISSMA District contest for the first time ever. The group continued on to ISSMA Regionals and also received a Division I rating, placing 8th. The band opened with Stravinsky's "Firebird," featuring Lori Hahn as the Firebird, then playing a mix of jazz music. The Green Brigade boasted the finest drum line in the history of the school , performing on new Yamaha drums. Erik Varden, a senior percussionist was named to the Indiana All-State Band and to the All-State Jazz Band. The Green Brigade was again led by seniors Kimber Weber and Kim Bean. The orchestra had a successful year presenting concerts and by performing in the North spring musical - Barnum. |
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1989 - 90 - The band attended camp at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro for the first time. The band was led by drum majors Kami Boyd (formerly a meteorologist for Channel 14) and by Carrie Alexander. The Green Brigade presented a jazz oriented show which barely missed receiving a Division I at District. During the District Festival, Mr. Andy Lindauer entertained the audience, making an appearance as Santa Claus. The orchestra grew to 34 members and included a talented string bass player by the name of Ben Oakes (currently an EVSC Instrumental Music Teacher). North presented Pippin as the spring musical. |
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1980 - 1981 The band again attended band camp at Kentucky Wesleyan College, learning their show routine for the fall. The band featured a large auxiliary with 4 majorettes, 16 flag girls, and 24 Huskettes (using pom pons). The band missed receiving a Division I rating at marching band contest by only a fraction of a point. In May, the orchestra and jazz band combined to present a dinner theatre program entitled "Spring Serenade." The orchestra and alumni combined with the concert choir, conducted by new choral director Terry Becker, to present the traditional performance of the "Messiah" during the Christmas Concert. 1981 - 1982 During the summer, the band attended an in-town band camp at the 4-H Center. Attendance was a problem. The Marching Huskies again competed in the Nut Club Band Contest and at the ISMA District Contest, receiving a Division II rating. In addition to these contests, the Marching Huskies travelled to Kentucky and competed in several contests, winning their first trophies for marching band competition. The jazz band featured several fine musicians, including 2 excellent drum set players - Tim Thompson, currently a free-lance studio musician in Nashville, and Gary Mielke, a professional musician and music media specialist in Indianapolis. 1982 - 1983 This was the first year for the band to attend camp at Oakland City College. This was also the first year for the Evansville Invitational Marching Band Festival, which was formed by Mr. Shelley and by Mr. Mark Eifler, currently the Castle HS Band Director. The event became the first-ever school sponsored marching band contest in Evansville. Even though the North Band was small, the group did well in band competitions. The percussion section gained a reputation as one of the finest in southern Indiana. The flag corp grew to 14 members. Eleven students were chosen for All-City. 1983 - 1984 The Huskettes were one of the finest groups that North had in recent years. Natalie Stratman and Stephanie Holmes were the co-captains. The Huskettes played a benefit softball game against the Central Honeybears. The orchestra featured an outstanding freshman cellist - Andy Baker. The Marching Huskies, sporting new tops to their uniforms, won the Parade Chairman Award at the Nut Club Parade. The EVSC Honors Band and Orchestra members performed in Chicago at the Midwest National Band and Orchestra Clinic. After an 8 year absence, the North Spring Musical was brought back with the production of "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat." |