The Prospector (Oct. 1, 2010)

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FEATURES: How students spend their time from day to day

IN-DEPTH: Money’s role in our lives

PHOTOESSAY: A look at hands

THE PROSPECTOR CUPERTINO HIGH SCHOOL’S

VOLUME 52 NO. 1

10100 FINCH AVENUE, CUPERTINO CA

OCTOBER 1, 2010

Fremont Expo: Local bands support each other and show off their skills at annual show

JAMIN SHIH copy editor

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very year, marching bands from schools across the district convene to perform in order to display both their respective field shows and their unwavering support for each other. This year’s Fremont Expo, a congregation of school bands, was held at Cupertino High School’s stadium for the first time on September 25, bringing together the bands of Fremont, Los Gatos, Homestead, Monta Vista, Lynbrook, and Cupertino. The two sets of bleachers were packed with students wearing uniforms of every color, who cheered indiscriminately to all the fellow bands. In a society where competition takes precedence, the annual Fremont Expo provides a one-time opportunity for band students to perform their shows in a friendly and supportive environment. The Fremont Expo was established 9 years ago in the spirit of intra-district harmony to give band students and supporters a chance to watch other bands. As each band prepares to compete, others are playing and in conjunction with concurrent practices, this results in bands unable to watch each other. The Expo, however, rectifies this problem by providing a non-competitive arena to showcase the field shows. Band Director Gilbert Iruegas said, “The directors get together and help each other out in any way possible. I think that the supportive atmosphere, the non-competitive atmosphere, having an audience of parents that are really supportive... really contributes to the atmosphere.” This supportive atmosphere is reflected off the field as well. Iruegas mentioned that Fremont High School helped clean up this year, even though the event was not at their school. In addition, there is a pervading feeling of mutual respect from all the bands, as evidenced by the directors’ speeches before the respective shows and the students’ encouraging cheers. Despite the competitive nature of sports across schools, the students continue to put themselves out there in front of not just parents, but musically-informed peers as well. “I think the hardest thing to do for any high school age student is to get up in front of peers. There’s nothing like the pressure of performing for an informed audience that has the same information we have,” said Iruegas. Each of the bands present at the Fremont Expo brought a unique theme to the Expo. From Lynbrook’s Moby Dick-inspired performance with singing from the Book of Jonas to Cupertino’s own clock-themed field show “It’s About Time”, it was clear that each of the six bands had invested hours for best show possible. It was through support that Fremont Union High School District bands were able to keep the music programs in the district strong. When asked if there was anything he would change about the event, Iruegas simply said, “Nothing.”

The NUMBERS: The BANDS:

4 total participants: 900 pieces performed: 20 hours of performance:

COMPILED BY ANAND HEMMADY

Los Gatos Cupertino Monta Vista Lynbrook Homestead Fremont

COMPILED BY ANAND HEMMADY

JAMIN SHIH

FINANCIAL

STRESS:

A decrease in funds forces changes to the team previously known as ComedySportz

VIRENA GALOTRA in-depth assistant

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ue to the drama department’s change is distribution of funds, the ComedySportz team has had to withdraw from the ComedySportz league; to keep the show going they now perform under the name of Comedy Hour. The team used to be a part of the official San Jose ComedySportz league which has a high school division as well. This change has altered not only the name of the comedy show, but its format as well. ComedySportz is a comedy troupe in San Jose that performs impromptu comedy in teams. It is a competition between two teams

who do on the spot comedy based on suggestions from the audience. To join the High School League an annual fee of $1400 is required. The fee is necessary to use ComedySportz copyright material. Additional money is needed to hire referees who come to judge games. The drama department could not afford to pay the fee this year because the money was needed to fund the fall play The Crucible. Each year, the department uses about $2000 to put together their fall production, complete with sets and costumes. In previous years, the ComedySportz events were not making any profit. Poor attendance at the games resulted in low income

for the team leading to the drama department’s decision to the cut the funding for the ComedySportz team. If Comedy Hour is successful and can raise enough money, the team can rejoin the league as well as financially support the drama department. Since the team is no longer a part of ComedySportz, they have had to change the way the show is run. For example, ComedySportz used to be a competition between two improvisational teams, but now it is a mix between scripted material and impromptu comedy games. Changing the content is a challenge for the team because they have to make sure none of their content violets the copyright see, COMEDY HOUR, pg 3


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