Student finds place in performing arts programs
May 1, 2008
By: Sarah Sheafer <ssheafer@hilite.org>
Junior Miranda Cascione watched Peter and the Wolf in her third grade music class. One of the characters she saw in it was a duck. As the animal waddled its way onto the screen, she was immediately drawn to it and the instrument it represented, the oboe.
When Cascione returned home from school, she asked her parents if she could learn how to play the instrument. Her parents granted her this wish by giving her private lessons with the oboe in fourth grade.
From then on, Cascione has enjoyed music and what she receives from it. She is currently in Wind Symphony I, Symphony Orchestra and Accents. Even though being in band, orchestra and choir takes up a large amount of her time, she still continues to participate in them.
“I’ve debated whether or not to drop one of them, but I would really miss it, and I get too much out of it to quit,” Cascione said.
Rachel Tookolo, Associate Director of Orchestras, said, “If anything, the performing arts classes act as a creative expression outlet for students. Students know the schedule, rigor and amount of outside time it will take before they take the class. Sometimes (taking several performing arts classes) involves making sacrifices with other aspects, but ultimately making it work is very achievable.”
Even though Cascione wishes she had more time to study for her other classes and to do other things besides just music, Cascione said she sees benefits of being in so many music groups.
“I really like music. It helps with social activities and even leadership,” she said.
However, she said she realizes that not every student is capable of being in so many music groups. Some might have other interests that they could not explore because they were either practicing their instrument or performing in a concert.
A normal week for Cascione, if she had to perform in choir over the weekend, would consist of many hours after school. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, she attends choir practice. She takes private lessons for oboe and participates in orchestra practice on Tuesdays. On Thursday she also practices with orchestra after school. She even has to rehearse on Saturdays for choir occasionally.
Along with practicing her oboe and singing, Cascione plays the piano. She started the instrument when she was five-years-old. However she has quit lessons.
Cascione will continue band, orchestra and choir in her senior year. She said, “(Music) is just my passion.”
The Return
May 1, 2008
By: Reid Conner <rconner@hilite.org>
For the first time since 2003, the symphony orchestra will be performing at the State ISSMA contest at 8:45 a.m. on Saturday at Warren Central High School. The group has been preparing relentlessly for the contest since its last concert in late February.
ISSMA, short for the Indiana State School Music Association, organizes music events throughout the year, including marching band competitions in the fall, solo and ensemble contest in the winter, and band, choir and orchestra contests at the end of the school year.
“ISSMA brings schools across the state together to showcase the musical talent of band, orchestra and choir,” orchestra teacher Rachel Tookolo said.
There are five orchestras at this school this year. Camerata is a small chamber orchestra that didn’t go to contest this year. The other four orchestras, Symphony, Philharmonic, Concert and Sinfonia all played at ISSMA. Some of this years pieces include “Mambo! From Symphonic Dances from West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein, “Irish Tune from County Derry” by Percy Aldridge Grainger and “Symphony Number Five (Movement V)” by Tchaikovsky.
“The symphony orchestra is playing at the professional level. It’s an extremely difficult level of playing and the students have dedicated countless hours after school and at home,” orchestra director Soo Han said. On top of preparing during class time, the orchestras have been meeting after school and during SRT to practice.
Yifan “Peter” Hua, orchestra member and junior, and the other musicians are no strangers to this level of competition. Although it is Hua’s first time playing with an orchestra at ISSMA, he has participated
in the solo and ensemble competition for five years.
“Most of (the students here) who play at solo and ensemble get gold, with a few silvers,” Hua said. Hua said this type of competitive environment benefits him and the other students musically. “I get a better understanding of how other musicians perform and play together,” he said.
The top eight orchestras from the qualifying rounds that took place in April will play at the state level on Saturday. Qualifiers took place last Friday and Saturday. According to Hua, all four orchestras that competed got a gold medal and gold plaque, which is the highest placement at qualifiers. According to Tookolo, the last time this school played in State, it got third place overall.
“We don’t have to win,” Han said. “What we do have to do is give an amazing performance.”
According to Tookolo, the students are prepared and are in it to give the best performance they are capable of. “If we do that, rankings won’t be as important in the long run,” she said.
On the other hand, Hua said the orchestra is capable of getting first, and hopes to take home another State title for this school’s performing arts program. “We’ve been adding a lot of rehearsals. We’ve added time to Thursday practices and rehearse in SRT. The directors have been preparing us well,” he said.
The actual performance will be evaluated in many ways. According to Han, playing in tune, playing cleanly and together, dynamics, rhythm, playing musically and emotionally and being into the music are all factors that could affect the group’s score. The judging isn’t limited to objective criteria, and judge opinions will affect the outcome.
This performance will be a first time experience for the students in orchestra. “We would appreciate all the support we can get at these performances. It’s going to be a fun concert to attend,” Han said. Reid Conner
American remakes v. foreign originals
March 14, 2008
By: Sam Watermeier <swatermeier@hilite.org>
Americans like their movies grand and flashy. When making a remake of a foreign film, directors need to realize that their job is not to be loyal to the original, but to make it their own. Some directors follow this rule, but others still do not.
A recent example of a great remake of a foreign film is “The Departed,” based on the Hong Kong film “Infernal Affairs.” Legendary director Martin Scorsese took the basic plot of the original film and infused it with his unique style and sense of Americana. “The Departed” opens with his signature use of Rolling Stones music, features wicked hard-core Bostonians and gritty action violence. Watching this film unfold on the big screen, I felt right at home, which is the whole point of remake of a foreign film. Speaking of feeling right at home, the Dutch film “Interview” was a perfect film to remake because its themes of sensationalism and celebrity are relevant to our E! channel-obsessed nation. Before I go too far, I must say that the golden rule of remakes still applies: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” However, a few films have benefited greatly from modern tweaking.
The 2002 Stephen Soderbergh film “Solaris,” a science-fiction romance/psychodrama, improved upon the original 1972 Russian film by making the world of the story more appealing with state-of-the-art visual effects. The 1998 “Godzilla” moved past the cheesiness of the original Japanese film with its better-looking Godzilla monster. The rest of that film is terrible, but that is beside the point.
There are still some directors that ignore the rules for success in making remakes, which is mind-boggling. Although it is an entertaining film, “The Ring” is too loyal to the look and feel of the Japanese “Ringu.” The same criticism applies to the horror film “The Grudge” based on the Japanese “Ju-On.” The problem with these films is that they do not feel fresh and Americanized. Note to the directors of those remakes: Don’t be afraid to be yourselves.
Spanish film paints dark 1940s fantasy
March 14, 2008
By: Reid Conner <rconner@hilite.org>
Guillermo del Toro’s fantasy/thriller fairy tale is no ordinary story. It definitely isn’t a children’s tale either. Don’t have any misconceptions about this movie; it has more blood, gore and gruesome images than a traditional fairy tale. However, the imaginative, unique plot coupled with captivating acting and visuals make “Pan’s Labyrinth” a truly unforgettable foreign film experience.
Set in the 1940s in Francisco Franco’s fascist Spain, the movie tells the tale of a young Spanish girl named Ofelia (Ivana Baquero). She, along with her pregnant mother (Ariadna Gil), relocate to the headquarters and barracks run by her father, the cruel Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez). She discovers a fawn (half-goat, half-satyr) in the labyrinth behind the home who tells her she is actually a princess. To reclaim her throne she must undergo three trials. The movie explores how a little girl copes with and comes to terms with her fascist world using her imagination.
“Pan’s Labyrinth” is a movie full of symbolism and hidden meanings. The movie is one big parable disguised like a fairy tale. The stories of Mercedes (Maribel Verdu) and the doctor (Alex Angulo) portray the harsh realism of how blind obedience destroyed people’s morals and lives. Ofelia’s quest for a kingdom without pain and suffering mirrors the desires of the Spanish rebels in the movie. Events in Ofelia’s fantasy world often run parallel to the events unfolding in harsh reality.
The acting in this movie is inspiring. Lopez steals the show in his role as the evil fascist army Captain that you love to hate. His screen presence is so despicably cruel and unfeeling that you can’t help but loathe him. The young Baquero, who was 10 years old at the start of filming, plays the lead role admirably, capturing the emotions and fantasies of a little girl trapped in the evils of an adult world. Along with the supporting roles of Verdu and Angulo, this movie has a remarkably strong cast.
The visuals are everything you would hope for in a fairy tale. Unique, dark, creative and sometimes grisly, Ofelia’s fairy tale world has a satisfying feel to it. The scenery really sets the mood of fascism and war.
Overall, del Toro’s creation is an inspiring piece of work riddled with lessons and morals. Backed up by great acting and visuals and a refreshing story, this Spanish film is one that everyone can enjoy. Keep in mind, though, this is one fairy tale that isn’t meant for children.
Breaking the American stereotype
March 14, 2008
By: Meher Ahmad <mahmad@hilite.org>
I recently watched a video on YouTube.com in which a man asked several teenagers on the street who the president of France was. Although the video was surely edited, every person interviewed had no idea who the current president of France is.
While I recognize that this video was not an accurate representation of our school, I started thinking about how many students here are aware of global events. It suddenly dawned on me that many teenagers have no interest in global affairs whatsoever.
It is understandable that everyone in Carmel does not know about what happens outside of America’s borders, but what I find unsettling is not many care. As teenagers, we tend to get wrapped up in our own world, what with sports and clubs and homework. This is no excuse, however, for limiting our scope to only what affects us.
Having traveled to a good number of countries, the constant exposure to new cultures fuels my interest in foreign affairs, whether or not they involve the United States. Seeing exactly what poverty is, what a factory in China looks like, how Parisians live, it keeps me thinking about what happens in the rest of the world
Even if students have not traveled, I feel it is necessary for our generation to care about what happens outside of American borders. We always hear about outsourcing and how jobs are quickly leaving the US economy, but few really take time to understand what that means for us, the next working generation.
The global stage is not limited to Western countries anymore. According to Steve Schifferes, an economics reporter for BBC News, emerging countries such as India and China are widening the job pool for corporations. “India is the world’s leading exporter of IT services, with its volume of offshore business doubling every three years,” Schifferes said. The speed at which these countries are going is not going to slow anytime soon, either. By the time our generation is out of college and ready for the working world, the competition we will face for jobs will be unprecedented.
In addition to competing for jobs, the reputation Americans have in foreign countries is definitely not highly regarded. We are seen as ignorant, greedy people who are narrow-minded and obnoxious. Every time I heard this description from foreigners I always fought to prove them wrong, but after living in Hong Kong for a full year, I find it hard to defend Americans entirely.
I often have people ask me where I lived in the previous year, and when I say Hong Kong, I’m shocked by the responses I get. “Oh, that’s in Japan right?” is the one I most commonly receive. After about the fifth time I heard this I began thinking like the other foreigners. I really did start to believe most Americans are ignorant and narrow-minded.
This is my eighth month living back in the United States, and I’ve come to accept that thus far, many Americans do live up to their stereotype. But I still have hope for my peers. Maybe with increasing inter-connectivity, teenagers will become interested in what the rest of the world has to offer. For the time being, I’m still explaining that Hong Kong is not in Japan.
An Olympic Opportunity
March 14, 2008
By: Maria LaMagna <mlamagna@hilite.org>
In 2001, the world heard that in 2008, the city of Beijing, China, would host the Summer Olympics, beating other leading contenders Toronto, Paris and Istanbul. The announcement created much controversy. It seemed that everyone worldwide had an opinion.
Junior Danshi Su formed his opinion as well. Su was born in China, and he lived there until moving here in 1999. He was visiting China in 2001 when he heard the announcement that the Olympics would be in Beijing. “I was in China at the time,” he said. “People were lighting fireworks two minutes after (the site) was announced. People were really happy.”
This will mark the first Olympics held in China, and the international community has criticized the selection of the city for many reasons. In the United States, critics compare this selection to the infamous one made for the 1936 Olympics in Nazi-controlled Germany. International leaders have said that since the Chinese government has violated human rights on numerous accounts, the country should not be allowed to host the 2008 summer games.
Su said he hopes to attend the Olympics this summer in Beijing. He is planning to attend with his parents, but is not completely sure if his schedule will allow for the trip. He said that he disagrees with the world’s skeptics about the site. “I personally think it doesn’t really matter,” he said. “We’re not protesting for human rights. It’s just a sporting event.”
Dave Bardos, international relations teacher and chairman of the social studies department, said that this Olympic site has created a stir with reason. “There is the issue of human rights in China that cannot be ignored,” he said. Though he said he would not liken this year’s games to extremity of those in 1936, Bardos listed several reasons why China has historically created controversy, including what he called “the repressive nature of the regime,” and the country’s lack of cooperation in free trade.
It is perhaps for these reasons, though, that Bardos said holding the Olympics in Beijing is important. “It shows that the Chinese have been welcomed into the world community,” he said, “and acknowledges their economic achievement over the last 20 years.”
Furthermore, he said he felt that the Olympics have provided an incentive for the Chinese government to be on its best behavior while the world community watches. Without the plans to hold the games in Beijing, he said, the Chinese government might be “more aggressive than they already are. They want to make sure the games succeed.”
Bardos listed several advantages that the China could have if the Olympics go well. Among these, he said the Chinese could gain “prestige, more worldwide recognition, and the opportunity to be embraced by the world.”
Also, he said that with their efforts over the years to improve their athletes’ performance, China could be extremely competitive for the overall medal count. He said it could show the world what China has accomplished. He said, “Sport does show some indication of cultural success.”
In spite of the controversy, Bardos said that safety should not be a concern. He said he predicts that for the Olympics, China will have “amazing security. The last thing the Chinese want is something that shows them in a bad light.”
For the time being, Su is not concerned about security at all, and said he anticipates an unforgettable experience. He said that if he is able to attend the games this summer, he most looks forward to watching swimming. “I really want to see Michael Phelps,” he said. “I’m pretty excited.”
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