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Band Preview
By Rachel Long
Out with the old and in with the new.
This year has brought many changes to the Kempner staff. Not only is there a new principal, Mr. Morgan, but KHS also received a new head band director, Mr. Smith.
Before taking Kempner’s head band director position, Mr. Smith worked at Cy Springs High School for eleven years. He was the head band director there for six years.
Receiving an unexpected call from FBISD about the band director position at Kempner, Mr. Smith decided to take the position believing Kempner was a good school with lots of potential.
“I enjoy working with such high motivated and independent students that are willing to take risks,” Mr. Smith said. “These kids only need a nudge, not a push to get motivated and have a good established knowledge base.”
Mr. Smith works with the assistant band director, Mr. Muths as well as the drum majors. This year, Gabriel Malcaba is the Head Drum Major, Codi Nguyen and Mikki Tran are the assistant Drum Majors.
He hopes that in this marching season and in future marching seasons we can make area and eventually make state, as well as winning other contests such as US Bands and participate in BOA contests.
“I feel like the direction that Mr. Smith is taking the band in is really good for the future of the band,” junior John Nabergall said. “He knows what he's doing and given four or five years, I believe KHS will become one of the top bands in the district.”
Mr. Smith hopes that the band will continue to grow in numbers in the years to come and become a 200 plus member band.
“Coming into high school band for the first time, I was nervous,” freshman Emily Martinez said. “But it helped that Mr. Smith was a nice teacher and cared more about having fun than winning.”
This year’s halftime show is named Heroes. It is a Beethoven inspired show with a slight twist.
The new director is very positive and helps members strive to do their very best while still having fun.
“I love marching season because it’s a time where everyone comes together,” Mr. Smith said. “Whether you are in the top band, bottom band, or in color guard, you are all together as a team.”
There is no doubt that the Kempner Marching Band is heading to greatness, whether it is this year or in years to come, the band program is on the path of success.
Band UIL
By Rachel Long
Get excited because band UIL is right around the corner! University Interscholastic League or UIL is a nonprofit organization that organizes and runs statewide and regional competitions all over Texas.
Kempner Band is going to perform at regional pre-UIL or Fort Bend Country Band Night on Tuesday, October 7th. They will also be taking part in the regional UIL competition Tuesday, October 21st.
The KHS marching Cougars will be performing their show, Heroes. Heroes is three movements of Beethoven inspired music.
So remember on October 7th and 21st come out and support the Kempner Marching Band!
Theater’s First Play of the Year: Shakespeare in Hollywood
By Hayley Uribe
The Kempner theater department will present their first play of the year, Shakespeare in Hollywood on October 16th and 17th at 7 p.m. and on the 18th at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased for $5.00 in the cafeteria from October 10th until October 16th. Ticket prices will be $8.00 for students and $10 for everyone else at the door.
“Shakespeare in Hollywood is comedy that everyone is sure to love. There is romance and tons of jokes,” cast member Hayley Uribe said.
Shakespeare in Hollywood takes place in 1934, and Shakespeare’s characters Oberon and Puck magically appear on Warner Bros Hollywood set of Max Reinhardt's A Midsummer Night's Dream. Both characters are overcome by the glitz and glamour of show biz and get parts playing themselves. Along the way they meet many interesting characters which entangle them into love triangles.
The play was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company, Shakespeare in Hollywood had its world premiere in 2003 at Arena Stage and won the Helen Hayes award for Best New Play of the Year.
The following actors and actresses will showcase their talents and bring this show to life at KHS:
Oberon- Ben Zaruba
Puck- Emily Starling
Max Reinhardt- Elam Blackwell
Jack Warner- Jake Brinks
Lydia Lansing- Alana Franco
Olivia Darnell- Vivian Martin
Will Hays- Noah Ainsworth
Daryl- Jayden Key
James Cagney/Harry Warner- Vincent Dang
Dick Powell- Mohammad Saleem
Mae West- Ashley Castro
Cowgirl- Rabia Gadrab
Groucho Marx- Bob King
Fairy- Sofia Silva
Louella Outteinger- Ashley Hennie
Albert Warner- Thomas Avila
Sam Warner/Fairy- Alicia Purkey
Band Contest Update
By Rachel Long
The Kempner High School Marching band has recently gone to the Region UIL contest on October 21st and made all 1’s, a superior rating.
They then qualified to go to the Area UIL on October 25th. At the Area UIL marching contest they placed 13th out of 20. This is the highest the KHS band has ever placed at Area.
The Marching Cougars have now ended their competitive marching season, but they look forward to competing in their upcoming concert season, as well as in future marching seasons.
Photos by Trish Thomson
The Addams Family Review
By Rachel Long
The creepy and kooky, mysterious and spooky Addams Family Musical was Kempner’s spring musical this year. To say that is was fantastic would be an understatement.
This musical tells the story of young Wednesday Addams’, played by Emily
Starling, engagement with a young Lucas, played by Jayden Key. Their families meet for the first time and trouble was stirred. This tale of young love, rekindled marriages and falling in love with…the moon was executed immaculately by the cast of Kempner Students.
The leading character of Gomez Adams was performed by Johnathan Partida, a junior that had no previous experience in theater. His lack of experience had no influence on his impeccable performance as he courageously sang many solos and kept a convincing accent through the entire production.
Rose Greenslate played the essential part of Morticia Adams. Despite The Addams Family was her first show and her character of Morticia was portrayed remarkable. Her singing in “Secrets”, “Just around the Corner”, “Let’s Live Before We Die” and “Tango de Amor” was exquisite to say the least.
Emily Starling (in her fifth production) and Jayden Key (in his second production) imitated the characters of impulsive Wednesday Adams and her cautious fiancé Lucas perfectly. Wednesday and Lucas’ quirky story of young love and fear of their parent’s approval is one people could relate to.
Parents of Lucas, Mal and Alice were played by Jake Brinks and Laura Pepper. Through their son and their eventful evening with the Adams family they manage to turn an unhappy marriage into one that was made to last. Laura Pepper’s singing in “Waiting” stood out and was a crowd favorite. To say Laura and Jake’s acting was good is like saying summer in Texas is kind of warm, such an understatement.
Even the supporting characters did an excellent performance. Many agree that Jacob Sorsoleil’s performance as Fester Adams was unforgettable. Not to mention Elam Blackwell, who played Pugsley, Megan Gillis, who played the Adam’s “may or may not be related” Grandma, and Ben Zaruba, who played their zombie butler Lurch, all of whom added to the fun and unconventional mood of the musical.
The entire production from the acting and singing to the costumes and make up to the set, lighting and music was excellent. Congratulations to Director Mr. Ramirez, Choreographer Ms. Belter, Music Director Mrs. Hall, and the entire cast and stage crew on the incredible performance. Many are looking forward to seeing what the KHS Catwalk Theatrical Company, Choir and Dance have in store for us next.
Posted February 15th,2015
Orchestra’s Success
By Rachel Long
Kempner’s Symphony Orchestra attended and competed at the UIL Region 13 Concert and Sight-Reading competition at Austin High School on March 5th.
They performed excellently and achieved the prestigious UIL Sweepstakes Award.
Orchestra Director, Mr. Wells said,” They were fabulous representatives of our school. Can you tell I’m proud of them?”
This marks the eleventh consecutive year that the KHS Symphony has earned this award in the sight-reading performances. Their achievement also marks the first time in Kempner High School history that all four orchestras has for two years in a row received a UIL Sweepstakes Award.
Band Concert Season
By Rachel Long
Kempner High School’s very own band has had a very successful concert season this year. The top two bands have recently gone to UIL competition and both were successful at competing at a high level.
The Symphonic Band competed in their UIL on Thursday, April 16th at Foster High School. They achieved the prestigious Sweepstakes Award for their performance on stage and in sight reading. This award hasn’t been achieved by Kempner’s second band in nine years.
The Wind Ensemble Band competed in their UIL on Friday, April 24th at Travis High School. They were also successful and awarded the Sweepstakes Award.
Both band directors, Mr. Smith and Mr. Muths, are very proud of how hard the band students have worked for this success. They look forward to next concert season introducing harder musical literature and possibly sending our third Band (the Concert Band) to the UIL competition.
