Page 58 - 1989

flistrict cuts strings

from curriculum

Monday March 20, 1989,
Orchestra the school board made the
'/Perfect, superior rating for all string entries at decision to eliminate or­
District Music Contest chestra from the school’s
VTanya Leise, member of 1988 All-State Orchestra curriculum for the 1989-90
school year.
According to Superinten­
dent Ken Rippe the deci­
sion to cut strings was
made over a long period of
time. Dr. Rippe said the
school board looked at
every aspect of the pro­
gram and decided to drop
it. Rippe said no other
musical program would be
dropped for the 1989-90 Orchestra Director John Cooper
school year, but they are plays along with his students
during class.
evaluated on a yearly
basis. Sophomore Kevin McDonald
Ten students were in­ and Freshman Carrie Kaczmarek
volved in orchestra and practice during orchestra class for
ORCHESTRA
Front Row: Kristen Jenkins, Tonya Whittington, Tanya their teacher was John a fall performance.
Leise, Lori Huff Back Row: Stephanie Lawrence, Tony Mer­ Cooper. Cooper said he
ritt, Kevin McDonald, Carrie Kaczmarek wasn’t happy with the
school boards decision, but
he said he was consulted
about it first. He taught at
Ralston for two years.
Some accomplishments
of the year for orchestra
were tne concert at Wilde-
wood Elementary, the fall
concert at Trinity Method­
ist Church, three vocal
concerts and the Orchestra
Festival with Westside.
Cooper said he believed
by cutting orchestra fewer
students would pursue a
career in orchestra. Their
only option will be to take
private lessons, although
Jan Bogardus, band
instructor, said she would
make provisions for some
of the orchestra students
so they can play in the
band.

Orchestra was first organized in the 1979-1980 school year.

The Ram, Vol. 27, Page 144.