Hempfield: 'Eyes' on success

From The Standard Observer, September 29, 1983.

The Hempfield Spartan Band will "think pink" in upcoming performances as the colorguard squad displays a new set of pink silks during a special routine.

As the band's 113 musicians perform the recent hit theme to the James Bond movie "For Your Eyes Only," the 28 silks, 16 majorettes and 11 rifles will perform a routine that will dazzle any superspy.

"For Your Eyes Only" will be the Spartan Band's grand finale in their repertoire, which leads off with "Prelude to Lohengrin" by Richard Wagner. The classical piece is followed by a Beatles tune, "Eleanor Rigby" arranged by assistant Band director Tony Murtha. This will be followed by a special feature of the drum line with a drum solo and finally by "For Your Eyes Only."

Band director Barbara Power, the first woman band leader in Hempfield and Westmoreland County, said that the rigorous program places special emphasis on music and therefore the members as well.

In her duties, Power is assisted on the field by field directors Michelene Butchko and Chris Ray. Michelene doubles as the head drum major, while Chris has taken on extra duties as the band's treasurer.

Other student band leaders include majorette captains Cindy Somers and Amy Flock. The other officers of the band are president Shelley Sturdevant, vice president Lisa Altheide, and secretary Chris Ewing.

Aiding Power in the instruction of the various groups in the band are assistant directors Tony Murtha and Glenn Buzzard, majorette coach Lisa Lamolinara, colorguard coach Denise Krausa, and percussion instructor Tom Milchik.

The band's most recent acclaim is from a first place trophy awarded during the Jeannette Community Firefighters' Parade. Last spring, the Spartan Band marched by invitation at Disneyworld in Florida. Plans for this year's trip have not yet been formalized.

Although more than halfway through its regular season, the 168-total membership band will appear at a number of upcoming football games, including Friday night's Homecoming Game, which begins at 8 p.m.. and the Hempfield Band Festival on Saturday. Oct. 15.

The band will also play at the Latrobe Band Festival at Latrobe High School at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Oct. 1; at Spartan Stadium on Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. when the Plum football team challenges Hempfield; Oct. 14 at 8 p.m. at the Hempfield-Gateway game in Gateway; (the Hempfield Band Festival is the next day. Oct. 15); Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. at Pittsburgh Central Catholic when Hempfield's football team travels to that school; back in Hempfield on Oct. 28 at 8 p.m. when Penn Hills gridirons face the Spartans; Band Championships will be held on Oct. 29: and the final regular season Hempfield football game will be away on Nov. 4 against Norwin at 8 p.m.