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Evansville North Instrumental Music Program History
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The Nineties |
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1990 - 1991 This was another significant year for the Green Brigade. The band had a dramatic increase in participation, increasing to 150 members! Led by senior drum majors Mark Bee and Carrie Alexander, the band had an exciting show featuring Charles Dillehay on an unbelievable sax solo to "Blues in the Night." Jason Cullum (currently an Evansville police officer) also wowed the crowd with some outstanding trumpet playing. The band won several trophies, including a 7-foot Grand Champion trophy at Union County, Ky. The highlight of the season came when the Green Brigade performed at the Indiana University Stadium in the Bands of America Regional Championship. The spring musical was "Wizard of Oz." |
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1991 - 1992 The Green Brigade, performing a program of jazz music arranged by Mr. Shelley, received a Division I rating at both ISSMA District and Regional contests for only the 2nd time ever. In addition, the band was invited to perform at 2 University of Evansville Aces basketball games. The band was led by drum majors Tim Grunow and Larissa Hanni. Several members of the band and orchestra were again selected to the EVSC Honors Band and Orchestra. The North spring musical was "Guys and Dolls."
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1993 - 1994 After having a clinic with Mr. Ray Baumgardt, President of the Central States Judges Association, the Green Brigade planned for a new way of presenting their shows. Sticking with a jazz oriented program, the group selected music from the group "Blood,Sweat and Tears," arranged by Mr. Baumgardt. Directed by drum majors Channing Sheets and Natasha Schwent, the Green Brigade wowed the crowds with a big brass, jazzy sound. The group received their highest score ever, receiving Division I ratings at both ISSMA district and regional contests. Exciting solos in the show belonged to senior Jeff Kuryla on trumpet, senior Elizabeth Williams on sax, and freshman trombonist Zach Dodd. During the spring, members of the orchestra worked on the challenging music of "West Side Story," the North spring musical. Photo: Holly Paddock, Natalie Angel, Jessica Steinkamp
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1994 - 1995 The North Concert Orchestra traveled to Chicago and participated in the Ovation Music Festival. The group received a Superior Award for their performance. Senior cellist Maria Scherer was named to the Indiana All-State Orchestra. The Green Brigade again journeyed to Florida, performing at Disneyworld's EPCOT Center and at Universal Studios during the semester break in January. The Green Brigade continued with their jazz-rock theme and presented the music of "Chicago." The drum line and auxiliary paced the show with some exciting routines. For the first time, the band was led by 3 drum majors - Natasha Schwent, Dorothy Coffey, and Jessica Helm. The group won several awards, including Division I ratings at the ISSMA District and Regional. The orchestra performed in North's spring musical - "Lil' Abner." Photo: Woodwinds performing at EPCOT in Disneyworld
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1995 - 1996 - The Green Brigade again changed looks with a new uniform. White helmets replaced the old shakos and the pants changed colors from black to green. The uniform featured a flashy new sequined sash on the front of the white jacket. During the fall, the band took a new direction in music styles, going from jazz to the concert band literature of Ron Nelson. Dorothy Coffey and Jessica Helm returned as the drum majors. The group, featuring a large, 50-member brass section , received Division I ratings at both the ISSMA District and Regional contests. For the first time ever, the Green Brigade performed in the RCA Dome at the Bands of America Regional Championships. Later that same month, the group again performed at the Dome for the football team's State Championship game. The orchestra performed in the musical - Crazy for You. Lauren Flittner, a violist, was named to the Indiana All-State Orchestra.
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1996 - 1997 - This year signaled a return to the jazz shows the Green Brigade were known for. The Green Brigade produced what is probably the finest show that a North Band has ever staged! With music arranged by Mr. Shelley, field props designed by Mr. Andy Lindauer, Mrs. Bernhardt, and Mr. Jon Siau, and a kicking auxiliary routine by Kayla Feistel and Holly Grant, the North Band presented the music of Duke Ellington. The show included huge dance band stand props, piano keyboards that the auxiliary and brass section danced on, and a huge portrait of Duke. The band electrified the crowds at all of their competitions with this creative, highly energetic program. Senior drum major Adam Noffsinger won several awards for outstanding drum major. The percussion parts, written by Randy Kiesel and Matt Wuertz, featured a drum solo incorporating 6 sideline floor toms. The band received several Grand Champion awards and also received Division I ratings at the ISSMA District and Regional contests. During spring break, the Green Brigade traveled to Florida, where they were invited by Disney officials to perform in the nationally televised Disney Easter Parade. The group also performed in MGM Studios. Josh Geske, a sophomore baritone player, was named to the Indiana All-State Band. Lauren Flittner was again selected to the Indiana All-State Orchestra, along with Jennifer Overton, a cellist. The North spring musical was "Anything Goes." |
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1997 - 1998 After attending camp at Eastern Illinois University, the Green Brigade prepared for another fine season of big band jazz music arranged by Mr. Shelley. Drum majors for the Green Brigade were juniors Lauren Gross and Rick Bernhardt. Opening with "Stardust/In the Mood," the Green Brigade expanded on the elements that were so successful with the Duke Ellington show. "Big Noise from Winnetka" featured another wild dance session with our tuba section jumping off "star" platforms over the heads of our auxiliary. The group provided their audiences with a fun-filled show that earned Division I ratings at both ISSMA District and Regional in Class A competition. The band competed and performed in the TWA Dome at the St. Louis Bands of America Regional, placing in the top half of the competition. Josh Geske and Mario Leavell, both baritone players, and Corey Small, a senior trumpet player, were selected to the Indiana All-State Band. Lauren Flittner, a junior violist, and Jennifer Overton, a senior cellist, were named to the Indiana All-State Orchestra. The spring musical was "Pippin." |
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1998 - 1999 The Green Brigade brought back the popular strains of their "Blood, Sweat and Tears show that had been so successful in 1993. Lauren Gross and Rick Bernhardt were again the Green Brigade drum majors. Featuring a strong auxiliary/dance group, solid jazz-rock music, and some exciting solos, the Green Brigade captured three Grand Champion awards in one year ... a new record! During Spring Break, the Green Brigade performed at the EPCOT Center. Lauren Gross and Russ Luecke were named to the Indiana All-State Band. Kris Hofmann and Lauren Flittner (who made All-State Orchestra all 4 years!) were named to the Indiana All-State Orchestra. The North Orchestra performed for the spring musical, "State Fair." At the end of the year, Mr. James Sharp, North Principal, retired and was named an Honorary North Band Member for all of his contributions to our program. |
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1999 - 2000 - Again attending band camp at Eastern Illinois University, the 145-member Green Brigade presented their last jazz show - the music of American composer George Gershwin - arranged by Mr. Shelley. The program featured an outstanding trombone solo by senior Michael Merritt on "Summertime," and a high range trumpet solo by junior Tim DeBaillie on "Someone to Watch Over Me." The drum majors were senior Jon Scully and sophomore Nichole Daniels. In December, the band and orchestra combined with our middle schools - Evans and Oak Hill - to present the annual District Instrumental Music Festival in the gym. A large number of students received Division I Ratings at both the District and State Solo and Ensemble contests. Orchestra violist Courtney Haynes was named to the Indiana All-State Orchestra. Due to renovations to the North Auditorium, the spring musical - "Bye, Bye Birdie" - was held in the Dining Center. Multi-talented Jason Conger, a percussionist in the band and singer in the choir, had the lead role as Conrad Birdie. The creative use of sets and props, with the orchestra performing behind the actors/actresses, was well received. But the big drawback was setup and tear down each evening due to school use of the Dining Center. During the summer, the band performed for the opening ceremonies of the Freedom Festival at the Four Freedoms Monument. |
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Photo: Drum Major Mark Bee at Indiana University Stadium |
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1992 - 1993 During the Christmas break, the Green Brigade traveled to Orlando, Florida and performed at Disneyworld's Magic Kingdom and at Universal Studios. The 5-day trip included visits to Kennedy Space Center and to Cocoa Beach. Many of the students had never seen the ocean. It was a truly memorable trip, all placed on video for the band members by Mr. Jim Crawford, retired English Department Head and one of our biggest fans. No one will forget the exciting rendition of Mr. Crawford, Mrs. Bernhardt, Mr. Shelley and the other chaperones as they made their very own rock video at Olde Towne in Orlando. The orchestra featured a talented violinist and captain of the Huskettes - Kayla Feistel (a former auxiliary instructor). The spring musical was "Oliver." |
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Photo: Trumpet soloist Rick Bernhardt |
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Photo: Jordan Wagner Performing in the Blood, Sweat and Tears show |