MHS

Martinsville High School

Note:

Articles and photos appear in the weekly Express News & bi-weekly Artesian Herald.

FAIR USE NOTICE: The music contained in these audios/videos remains the property of the original copyright owners, and are posted here for educational purposes only; they are not intended for resale. “Fair Use” under U.S.C., Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 107, U.S. Copyright Law.

MHS 2011 Winter Concerts

MHS Orchestra - Director Ms. Shelly Phillips

MHS Band - Director Mr. Mike Scott

MHS Choir - Director Mr. Tim James - Pianist Mrs. Lauri Wood

MHS Madrigal Singers

This year’s “Madrigal Singers” (standing L-R): Rachel Hoffman, Amanda Fish, Tyler Ramsey, Benjamin Janssen, Hannah Long, Katelyn Spencer (Lady of the Manor), Trae Brouse, Nick Richardson (Lord of the Manor), Ashley Mackin, Katlyn Griffin, Thomas Janssen, David Elkins, and Emily Edwards. "Players" (kneeling): Josh McDonald (Knight), Patricia Bales (Court Jester), and Katie Pratt (Page). Not pictured was Evan Griffin (Page).

MHS Madrigal Dinner

By Dennis E. Champlin

The 46^th annual Martinsville High School “Madrigal Dinner” was held this year at the MHS Cafeteria on Saturday, December 5^th, 2011. The students decorated the room to take on the appearance of an old castle; that, along with the students’ costuming, set the stage for a traditional Christmas dinner from Elizabethan England of the 16^th century.

A mixture of entertaining skits was woven throughout the evening, with background music provided by trumpeters Doug Singer and Morgan Whitehurst, along with guitarist Tom Ritchel. But the highlight for this writer was the incredible Renaissance acappella singing of the thirteen “Madrigal Singers; it gave me a respite from the turmoil of this hostile world, and allowed for a moment of peace and harmony to reign in my heart.

This year’s “Madrigal Singers”: Nick Richardson (Lord of the Manor); Katelyn Spencer (Lady of the Manor); Trae Brouse, Emily Edwards, David Elkins, Amanda Fish, Katlyn Griffin, Rachel Hoffman, Benjamin Janssen, Thomas Janssen, Hannah Long, Ashley Mackin, and Tyler Ramsey.

The “Court Musicians” were: Doug Singer and Morgan Whitehurst (Trumpets); Tom Ritchel (Guitar).

The “Players” included: Patricia Bales (Court Jester); Josh McDonald (Knight); Katie Pratt and Evan Griffin (Pages).

The “Litter Bearers” were: Josh McDonald, Katie Pratt, and Evan Griffin.

The “Staff” included: Layla Truman (Head Waiter), Alicia Hart (Assistant); Nicole Curtis (Crew Chief), Olivia Wooten (Assistant).

The “Servers” included: Shawnda Bancroft, Haley Helton, Hannah Mackin, Katie Pratt, Miqueyla Purcell, Alyssa Ramsey, Ellen Rexing, Samantha Richardson, Erin Riffe, Makenzie Salonko, Samantha Sargent, Alexis Stephens, Rayann Walls, Kaitlynn Weible, Laura Wooten, and Ariel Worley.

The delicious meal of ham, roast beef, new potatoes, broccoli casserole, warm rolls, relish tray, English toffee, spiced apple cider, iced tea, water, and coffee was catered by the Poe Family Restaurant.

The “Madrigal Singers” were formed at the school in 1947 under the direction of Mr. Aden Long. This charter group of eight members sang “acappella” (defined as singing without instrumental accompaniment) music from various genres: Spirituals, Madrigal Songs, and Christmas Carols. The first Madrigal dinner was held in 1965 under direction of Mr. Bill Diekhoff; the group is currently under the direction of Mr. Tim James.

"Carol of the Bells"

(MHS Madrigal Singers)

"In Concert" December 5, 2011

MHS Drama Club

MHS Drama Club’s “Little Women”

By Dennis E. Champlin

My wife and I had a delightful evening at the theater last Saturday night, November 5, when the Martinsville High School Drama Club presented their annual play, “Little Women”.

The play “Little Women” by Peter Clapham is based on the beloved novel written by Louisa May Alcott. It is about the four March sisters and their joys and sorrows as they are growing up in Concord, MA, during the time of the Civil War. The family is living in the home that was referred to as the “Orchard House”. Their father has gone to help serve as a Chaplain in the Army, so the girls are left at home with their mother, who they lovingly call “Marmee”, and their faithful servant, Hannah. But when father falls ill, Marmee must leave to take care of him, and the girls are left on their own.

The book was written by Alcott about her own sisters and some of their adventures. Many of the favorite scenes from the book are portrayed in the play. The part of Jo, the aspiring author, is actually Louisa May Alcott herself.

The cast included: Jo March (Molly Will); Meg March (Kelsey Metz); Beth March (Lindsey Davis); Amy March (Haley Helton); Marmee March (Katelyn Spencer); Laurie Laurence (Jake Gildersleeve); John Brooke (Josh McDonald); Aunt March (Katlyn Griffin); Mr. Laurence (Trenton Baker); Hannah (Kayla Pack); Father March (Jason Arnold).

Student Director: Desirae Wooldridge. Understudies: Ashley Mackin, Rachel Hoffman, Kacy Martin, and Laura Wooten. Set Construction: Technical Theater classes and the Drama Club. Props: Kacy Martin, Nicole Curtis, Kaley Page. Costumes: Emily Edwards, Mrs. Rodgers, and Mrs. Griffin. Make-up: Rachel Hoffman, Emily Edwards, Ashley Mackin. Lighting: Hannah Mackin and Michael Wolf. Sound: Savannah Randolph. Tickets: Alexx Rooker and Sydnie Shostrand. Ushers: Monica Roberts and members of the Technical Theater and Speech classes. Poster-Program Design: Jacey Kieninger. Set and Costume Design: Mrs. Phoebe Rodgers. Lighting and Sound Design: Mr. Rick Armstrong.

The Drama Club is taught and directed by Mrs. Phoebe Rodgers.

MHS Combined Choirs

MHS Choir "Pot Luck Dinner"

By Dennis E. Champlin

The Martinsville High School Choirs debuted a new format on Thursday, October 13. The first annual “Pot Luck Dinner” was held in the school’s cafeteria. The premise was the parents each brought in enough food and drink to serve all of the expected guests, eliminating any direct overhead for the students. Then, the parents and guests alike paid a dollar at the door for dinner and entertainment. As a fundraiser, it was a total success.

Also, by making this a “Dinner Concert”, it was less formal than having the traditional “Fall Concert” in the auditorium. Many numbers were performed by all of the combined choirs, with specials by various ensembles and soloists. The music ranged from Broadway to Jazz. Soloists included David Elkins, Amanda Fish, Ashley Mackin, Emily Edwards, Lindsey Davis, and Nick Richardson. The featured closing number was a medley from “Phantom of the Opera”.

The MHS Choirs are directed by Mr. Tim James; Mrs. Lauri Wood accompanied on piano; Mr. Dennis Champlin accompanied soloist Lindsey Davis on guitar.

MHS Show Choir at Lucas Oil Stadium 10-8-2011

"The Star Spangled Banner" arranged by Kirby Shaw

MHS Show Choir

"MHS Show Choir at Kiwanis Club"

by Dennis E. Champlin

Martinsville High School Show Choir sang for the local Kiwanis Club on Monday, September 27, 2011. Directed by Tim James, the group includes: Trenton Baker, Patricia Bales, Nicole Curtis, Lindsey Davis, Emily Edwards, David Elkins, Amanda Fish, Katlyn Griffin, Alex Herman, Rachel Hoffman, Benjamin Janssen, Thomas Janssen, Hannah Long, Ashley Mackin, Danielle McDougal, Katie Pratt, Tyler Ramsey, Ellen Rexing, Nick Richardson, Katelyn Spencer, Layla Truman, and Molly Will. Kiwanis President, Mr. Jack Jennings, presented Mr. James a donation check for $250 to help with the Choir's expenses. A big THANK YOU to the Kiwanians!

Milton J. Stewart Director's Award

For the first time in Martinsville High School history, the coveted “Milton J. Stewart Directors Award” went to three seniors at the “Honor Day” program on Thursday, June 1, 2011. In years past it went to single recipients, as selected by the band, choir, and orchestra directors. This is the top honor any musician can receive at MHS. Mr. Stewart was a music teacher who came to MHS in 1955, taught for 25 years, and laid the foundations for the music programs as they are today. The winners are (L-R) Marshall Bales (guitar), Evan Maxwell (bass), and Devon Hogan (drums).

ISSMA All Music Award

The Martinsville High School Music Department received an ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) “All Music Award” this year. Only four high schools received a triple award (Band, Choir, Orchestra), and Martinsville was one of only two schools to achieve a dual award (Band and Choir). A total of 52 high schools were represented, with 46 schools receiving single awards. This award means these departments met the highest standards of excellence in music education. The goal of MHS is for the Orchestra to achieve this level next year, and place the school music department in the elite triple group in the state.

MHS Jazz Choir Combo