Thursday, December 9, 2010

Symphonic Band Peforms Christmas/Pops

By Rachel Kenderdine

This year, the PCHS Symphonic Band is carrying on a great tradition in the Paris community.

They will be performing a Christmas concert, titled “Christmas/Pops,” on Saturday, December 11th. They will be performing a variety of music ranging from the favorite classics of Christmas to the music of “Harry Potter” to “Beauty and the Beast.”

“We’re doing a lot of your basic Christmas music, but it’s in a lot of different arrangements,” said band director Mr. Tripp.

The band has been preparing for weeks, and plan to play songs such as an adaption of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen,” “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and several others. “It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” will also be guest directed by Abbey Houser, director of bands at Mayo Middle School.

The band has worked hard to prepare, says Mr. Tripp. “It’s a lot of balance to see what the important parts are, to make sure that the important parts are brought out. The melody is what you want to hear.”

Jacob Garver, a senior trumpet player, shared his opinion on the concert and its music. “I like ‘Beauty and the Beast,’” he said. He also added, “I just like playing my instrument in general.”

Mr. Tripp is also glad to be able to keep music alive at PCHS. “I think it’s important that we carry on the tradition of fine arts here, and the band. There’s a lot of people here who support the fine arts, and the band is the most seen. It’s a lot to be able to find music that is challenging to the kids and entertaining to the community.”

“Christmas/Pops” will be held in Ernie Eveland Gym on Saturday, December 11th. Admission is free to everyone and the public is welcome.

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Night of One Act Plays

by Andreanna Smith

This year, for the PCHS students in Theatre Arts class, finals are different than the ones in other classes because for the Theatre Arts students, it is a performance based final. On December 17, Theatre Arts students will be performing some one-act plays for an audience. Based on how well the students perform, Mr. Lynch will determine their grade. Mr. Lynch chose the plays, and each student is in charge of getting their own props.

”I chose the plays by reading some one-act scripts and deciding which performances would be a challenge to the students, and which performance would bring the students out of their comfort zone. There are a couple of emotional performances in the line up. Julia, Watermelon Boats, and Twisted Sister are just some of those. ” Mr. Lynch stated. There are twenty-six students in the class and each of them have a part in a play, they were assigned either an individual monologue or a two – three person dialogue.

If you are interested in attending the performances, they will be held in the PCHS auditorium on the evening of December 17th. The night of one-act plays will start at approximately seven o’clock. Tickets are three dollars each and will be sold at the door.