(Brian Kluger/The Harriton Banner)

Regarding Early Action, the anonymous senior said: “EA is by far the best because you find out early and it’s nonbinding so you aren’t forced to go to a place.  You get the process done earlier, but still have options open.  There is no reason not to do it if the school offers it.  But Restrictive EA is terrible because it’s nonbinding but you have less of a chance to get in.  It’s like the same as ED without the benefit of knowing that you’re done [with] the process.”  Victoria Cano, though, has always felt puzzled by Early Action: “As far as I can figure, Nonrestrictive Early Action is for those who are pretty sure they want to attend a school but they would rather see if they get in before making their decision.  I think this is a perfectly legitimate option though a bit confusing when discussing Restricted Early Action.  I understand the appeal of wanting to know and I think this a more viable option for those who are not quite ready to make the commitment required by applying ED but are prepared to take the leap prior to applying regular decision.”
The next tier of decisions is Early Decision II (ED II) and Regular Decision (RD).  Both of these types of applications are due around January 1st and a decision is usually reached by February for ED II and April or March for RD.  Early Decision II, however, is (similar to ED I) a binding commitment to attend the school if accepted.  Regular Decision is nonbinding and most schools receive applications under this type of decision.  Someone may ask, “Why would you apply Early Decision II when you have to turn in the application the same time as Regular Decision, but don’t have the option to choose from all the schools to which you are accepted?”  An answer to this question may be that a student’s chances of acceptance increase if the school to which they are applying ED II knows that that school is their top choice.
The student I mention above said, “ED II is binding so if it’s a dream school or if it’s your second choice school and you didn’t get into your first choice, it’s really good.”  An expert of The New York Times said, “ED II is essentially identical to ED I, a binding early-decision process but with later deadlines.  In general, the application deadline is the same as for the regular admissions process, but a decision is sent far sooner, usually in early February.  It typically works best when visits and/or further thought, after deadlines for ED I, lead students to be sure that a given school is their clear first choice.”  Therefore, ED II has the benefit of giving students two more months to explore their options.
The majority of students, however, choose to do Regular Decision/Rolling Admission.  Senior Victoria Cano chose “to go the way of Regular Decision.  For me it came down to the fact that I had a list of 22 schools, none of which were an obvious contender over the other.  […]  I think part of the problem students have developed with the college process is the idea of ranking their schools, reach, safety, etc.  Too much emphasis is placed on selecting a school based on its ranking and impressive alumni.”
Regardless what type of application students apply under, it is a stressful time for almost all seniors at Harriton.  When the average student has a college list of over ten schools, making decisions about what type of application to submit can be quite challenging.  It is important to remember that, to some extent, the college admissions process is a bit of a crap shoot, and that, as Victoria says, “it’s the experience you get from attending [a school] that is important.”

(Chris Paine/The Harriton Banner)

Harriton Banner: How long have you taught music to high school students?
Mr. Joseph: This is my 18th year of teaching in public schools (after a brief stint in Walt Disney World, Orlando as a ‘swing’ performer).  It is my 14th year teaching High School (I taught middle school choirs for four years, prior to getting “promoted”!)
Harriton Banner: Why did you decide to become a music teacher?
Mr. Joseph: Originally I wanted to be a plastic surgeon, but my high school band director pulled me aside in my senior year while I was applying to colleges and told me that he thought I would make a good teacher.  I think his positive words were just the right motivation for me to really decide to go into Music Education.  I loved music throughout my childhood, but never gave a thought of making a living at it until Mr. Stauffer [suggested it].
Harriton Banner: What is the best part about your job?
Mr. Joseph: I love seeing enthusiasm for music in young people.  It reminds me of myself at that age each time I witness one of my students get excited about the music they’re studying, composing, or listening to.  [However a] close second [is getting] summers off!
Harriton Banner: What would you say is the most difficult part of your job?
Mr. Joseph: There’s never enough time to make things ‘perfect’.  Most ‘good’ music is truly perfect, yet we learn (all too quickly) that perfection is almost nearly impossible most days.  It’s a tough struggle for real musicians who are taught to perform, well, perfectly.
Harriton Banner: Is teaching an instrumental class very different from teaching a musical theory class?
Mr. Joeseph: Absolutely. While I like teaching both classes, a theory class is much more traditional in nature, whereas ‘anything can happen’ in a rehearsal–more students, more noise, more ‘stuff’ to worry about.  One is highly cerebral, the other kinetic, energetic, frenetic and (some days pathetic).
Harriton Banner: When you chose music for the school ensembles, how do you decide which pieces to play?
Mr. Joeseph: I’ve taken different approaches to this over the years.  I look through my lists of musicians and try to feature my best players among the selections.  I try to vary the level of difficulty, so that even my best players are challenged while my novice players can still feel successful.  I do try very hard to mix the genres of the music so that classical and modern music can coexist within the same program–not an easy task!  I also strive to find pieces audiences will enjoy listening to as much as my students will enjoy performing them.
Harriton Banner: This year’s District 11 Band Festival is being hosted at Harriton, what exactly do you have to do to pull the whole production together?
Mr. Joseph: Hosting a fest[ival] is a huge undertaking.  We need to house, feed and rehearse over 120 high school students (and their directors) from schools throughout Montgomery and Bucks counties.  They will arrive at Harriton on Thursday morning, February 11 and will practice for 2 1/2 days.  The end result will be a concert on Saturday, Feb. 13.  Our guest conductor is Dennis Glocke from Penn State.
Harriton Banner: What are you looking forward to about the District Band Festival?
Mr. Joseph: I’m really looking forward to hearing high quality, challenging concert band repertoire being performed by some of the best musicians in our area!
Harriton Banner: I know you are very enthusiastic about ensuring that Harriton has the best Pep Band possible (during the football season).  Did you ever play in a pep band or marching band yourself?
Mr. Joseph: I did–in fact I used to be able to say that I haven’t missed a high school football game since 1984 (when I was in high school).  But the HHS pep band has certainly grown (from 6 [students] my first day at HHS to 60 this past year at some games) and I’m looking forward to continuing the development of that group.  We may lose a few games, but music is always the fun factor at the games!
Harriton Banner: What is your favorite instrument to play? Why?
Mr. Joseph: I still love to play the clarinet–I was classically trained from a very young age and studied with some of the best teachers.  I think because it has been such a part of my life for so long, I couldn’t imagine life without it.  My parents never pushed me into playing, which is probably why I stuck with it, since I wasn’t forced to do it.  I still play whenever I can.  A close second is my singing voice–I love to sing because it allows me to be me–you can’t fake real singing.  I performed in a lot of musical theatre productions throughout high school and college and professionally (directed a few too).  My freshman voice teacher (renowned opera singer Julianne Baird) was one of my fondest vocal mentors.  Another vocal coach I had in college, Paul Krieder, almost had me talked in to giving up a teaching career to sing professionally in Vegas!!  I always wonder “what if?”

The XX
Quaint, furtive, sexy, The XX had been one of the biggest hypes ever since their album xx hit stores. These four 20 year olds have formed afresh-faced band with a sex appeal. The XX’s lead singer takes on a soft-pop vibe, while the band mixes with their copiously tidy compositions, and liberal use of bass tones. This foursome are masters at balancing the friction in their voices and manipulating their synth and drums to leave airy, negative spaces in their music, filled with backing vocals and guitar. These members may sound like they’re playing totally different things at first, but when put together, they really to create a euphoric sound. Throughout its 11 tracks of their album, XX doesn’t so much as demand your devotion, it simply takes it.
- Sara

Beirut
Zachary Francis Condon leads his band fantastically making the Balkan-indie group slowly rise. (Balkan music is southeastern European genre, for those of you who are culturally deprived.) The romantic lyrics are fantastic are key to appreciation of the works: “When things don’t feel right/I lie down like a tired dog/Licking his wounds in the shade”, unfortunately his lyrics are a little over powered by the fantastic aberrant instruments which include but is not limited to: ukulele, glockenspiel, trumpets and accordions. Their latest album (March of the Zapotec & Realpeople) have the perfect set of worldly ballads, go see for yourself.
- Julia

Hockey
No, not the sport. The band! These four scruffy bike riding vegans have molded a whole new form of new wave/soul. If you love the sounds of Dylan, Hold Steady, Springsteen, and so on, this band is sure not to disappoint you. Okay, so, their lyrics may not exactly be Bob Dylanesque, but, they do stay in your head for awhile. Their chunky beats, gritty vocals, and witty lyrics create a spectacular collision of opposites, with every note unpredicted. This band puts a brand new meaning to “funky”. Their single “Too Fake” was an instant success, when used in a JC Penny commercial, and after that, heard all over the radio. Next time you dance alone, dance with Hockey instead.

The New Pornographers
Ignore the misleading name, there is a huge lack of sexuality in the groups power pop ballads. The indie-folk group from Vancouver make classic girl and boy harmonies with occasional distorted guitar to spice things up. They have come a long way from Mass Romantic, their first album, which simply sounded unorganized. There has definitly been a maturity aspect added in the latest albums, Twin Cinema and Challengers, with softer guitars thanks to leader Carl Newman. All and all they are just a quintessential indie group.
- Julia

Crystal Castles
“Did Madonna get punched in the face? Is that blood? Or makeup?” Well, it was impossible for fans to tell as they gazed at the huge poster of pop icon Madonna on the back of Crystal Castle’s stage.  When I first heard their name, I assumed it was some kind of kid’s band or something. When I found this was false, I quickly fell in love with vocalist Alice Glass and multi-instrumentalist Ethan Fawn. This duo makes for, possible, the noisiest, yet enjoyable band I’ve ever listened to. They remind me of Nintendo, which is also a plus. The album is littered with polished keyboard buzzes and retro samples, and the vocals Alice Glass produces gives off a hypnotic feel to the music whether she is harshly shouting or merely speaking over the madness. Now, Crystal Castle’s have some of the most danceable songs I can think of. Some of them you can go crazy to, and some you can just tilt your head back and almost easily breathe in the music. Others, well… some of the music isn’t exactly a lullaby. Don’t chew more of their music than you can swallow. Now, this music duo is so unique, Alice without her counterpart, electronic whiz kid Ethan Fawn, would be nothing. If you wanted to describe them in a nutshell, you could explain their music as: Your angry coffee-addict sister yelling at you for borrowing her favorite hyper-color t-shirt while you play your three favorite Commodore 64 games simultaneously. Yeah, madness.
- Sara

Shows:
First decide what kind of “theatre person” you are. Would you rather see a play or a musical? Comedy or drama? Do you want to see a big flashy popular musical, or a more off-the-beaten-path, hidden treasure? The best musicals are not always the ones everyone knows about. If you are going with family, make sure to find out about content, you may not want to see some shows with your parents (yikes!).

Some of my personal favorites are Next To Normal, a psychological rock show about a family dealing with bipolar disorder; In The Heights, a Latino flavored show about a community at the top of Manhattan, Chicago, a popular show about greed, passion and vengeance in the 1920’s and of course Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical which the Harriton Theatre Company will be performing this March.

In terms of plays, God of Carnage and The 39 Steps are extremely popular.  Of course there are the ever favorite shows based on popular movies, books or musicians works such as The Lion King, Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia, Wicked and West Side Story.
In the interest of the economy, Broadway has continued the trend of turning well-known stories, music and characters into musicals.  In February Spiderman, Turn off the Dark will open, directed by Julie Taymor (Across The Universe anyone?) and featuring music by Bono.  And in April The Addams Family Musical will be opening featuring a cast of all-star Broadway performers. Also in production is American Idiot, a musical featuring the music of Green Day and Million Dollar Quartet and a show about four of America’s greatest musicians: Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. No matter what you prefer, Broadway definitely has something for every theatergoer and all of those who don’t think they like “musicals.”

Tickets:
Ticket prices often vary due to popularity of a show, how long it has been open, time of year or even day of the week. For lowest pre-sale prices go to broadwaybox.com to find deals as low as $40 per ticket for some of the most popular shows.  Or if you do not mind getting up early, get to the theatre 3 or 4 hours before show time. Many shows have student discount lotteries that you can participate in. The theatre will call you shortly to notify you if you have won discount tickets (mostly $25). In the middle of Times Square there is also a TKTS enormous booth, where you can stand in line and pray you’ll get half price tickets for the show you want to see. If you are going to go with that option, make sure to get there very very early! Just remember that waiting doesnt always guarantee a ticket.

I always happen to come across people who say they “don’t like musicals.” First of all I don’t really get it; how could anyone not enjoy a story told through song and dance? Regardless, Broadway does try to acquire to all tastes. Whether you are in science Olympiad, captain of the XC team or even a member of HTC, expose yourself to the world of Broadway!

Our Town is a Pulitzer winning play written by Thornton Wilder in 1938. It is a play performed with not set, no props, just actors. As such it is an extraordinarily sophisticated play for even the most accomplished performer to put on for it requires the actors to stand naked before the audience, armed only with their craft. On January 7, 8, and 9th, the Harriton Theater Company performed Our Town in the new Black Box theater
While I cannot contribute anything from the perspective of an audience member, I can express the courage of the cast of Our Town for daring to bare themselves as performers in such an explicit and open way, without the comfort of props or scenery to help them carry the performance. As a fellow cast member, I can only express my congratulations at the success and valiance of their efforts.
Our Town is takes place in a small New Hampshire town, Grover’s Corners, at the turn of the 20th century. The audience is literally led through the experience of the play by a narrator, who both participates in events, interacting with the actors, but also acknowledges the existence of the audience by talking directly to them, explaining each scene and even answering questions. This artifact allows the play to use selective moments as devices to support the play’s theme, which is built around the passage of time.

The play is split into three acts: the first act introduces the characters and the spirit of this small nondescript town. The stage is set to demonstrate the regularity and consistency, the almost blandness of the town. The second act moves us closer to two of the characters, a neighboring boy and girl who fall in love and get married.  Yet even this event is not specific to these individuals, rather their experience is just a zoomed in metaphor for the cycle of life that occurs in Grover’s Corners. Everyone in this town “marches to the grave in pairs.”

The first two acts lull the audince into a gentle sense of complacency, almost boredom with the routine and simple world of Grover’s Corners. But in the third act Thornton Wilder drives home his point and everything changes. The third act opens in a graveyard with many of the key characters now dead. A funeral is about to occur, that of the young bride from Act II, Emily Gibb (played by Emily Featherman). After attempting to return the world of living to relive just one day, despite the warnings of her fellow dead, she returns and she soon discovers that one cannot go backwards when one has knowledge of the future.  Such knowledge cannot be transmitted, cannot be used to change was has been and so it becomes only a horrific burden, creating a painful awareness of how the living cannot appreciate the very pleasure of life.  It is with that realization that Emily illuminates the fragile message of the play. Ms. Featherman’s heartfelt and tragic monologue ends with the simple question “Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it–every, every minute?” The simple response she receives from the omnipotent and casual narrator (portrayed by James Butler) is “No. (pause) The saints and poets, maybe they do some.” It is at that moment that the stillness and the heartbreak in theater can be felt even in the concrete black box closet where the rest of cast is anticipating the end of the show.
Aside from Ms. Featherman and Mr. Butler’s performances there were a number of other charming and memorable portrayals. Matt Glick and Stephen Kline (no, not our principal) played the fathers of the household at the center of the play and each brought their own unique interpretation of manly strength and wisdom as the pillars of each family. I had the privilege of playing the Mrs. Webb opposite both those men while Jessi Silverman as the other mother figure Mrs.Gibbs, gave a sweet and tender depiction of a mother simply trying to get her children to school in the morning. Ms. Kasie Patlove was the memorable and talkative Mrs. Soames and Brian Kluger made a wonderful cameo as the historian of the town, as well as playing a very somber funeral bearer. Peter Marshall made his usual appearance as a member of the armed forces with somber charm and military bearing.  Alex Cooper pulled on the heartstrings of the audience as the simple and loving George Gibbs, the male protagonist of the show. Max Pavel, in his first HTC performance, gave an unbelievably detailed and subtly intricate performance as the town choir director and town drunk. As for myself, well, I simply did what I always do.
The meaning of this show carries plenty of weight on it’s own but it resonates particularly with me as Our Town was my last show with the Harriton Theater Company. Since I was a freshman, I have been part of HTC’s shows.  While I admire the caliber of Wilder’s work, I’m afraid he and I have a very different perspective on life. I don’t look back on my life or time with HTC and wish I had done more or appreciated it more while I was there. I look back at my memories with the company and fondly recount the happiness and love and friendship I found on that stage. My four years with them have inspired me as an actor and as a person, and for everything they’ve given me, I can never thank them enough.  So it was the fondest of partings I offer my review, my congratulations and my fond farewell on a job well done.

Blacks Kids
Song: Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)
The Black Kids, despite the misleading name, only actual have two African American members. The Jacksonville based group forms indie-pop “don’t stop til’ya drop” dance tracks. Their genre is hard nail, each song is filled with different aspects of 70’s and 80’s era, but the fundamental mood the songs put you in is “Hey, let’s hit the floor!”
- Julia

The Apples in Stereo
Song: Skyway
The 60s pop sounding group can easily resemble The Beatles and Beach Boys with mellow, hippie lyrics. Most of the band’s credit should go to Robert Schneider, the last standing founding member of the group who is also the lead guitarist and vocalist, he always writes most of the songs. Also each of their tracks is composed fantastically with loads of interesting effects like handclapping and new-age synthetics. The energy and positivity of each track will be sure to please.
- Julia

Sonic Youth
Song: Teen Age Riot
NOISE! GUITAR! CHAOS! Sonic Youth’s sound is noticed mainly with their distinctive instrumental dirge, radical smattering of transcendent feedback and pounding heavy drumbeats. Sonic youth’s music is a perfect mix full of free roaming guitar riffs and incomprehensible grumblings, making a charming, yet rowdier sound. You may have heard one of their songs in the Motion Picture “Juno.” Check it.
-Sara

The Octopus Project
Song: The Adjuster
A sensational experimental indie band is emerging from a brilliant spectrum of rugged distorted guitars, staggering sounds of glockenspiel, trombones, synthesizers, and drums, ending with a luminescent tone of the Theremin. Their name? The Octopus Project! This group of young, noise-rock musicians are electrifying the music world with their unique style, including their unhinged drummery, strange electrifying sounds, and hypnotic rhythms that leave you lost in cascading waves of sonic bliss. The Octopus Project has 3 full-length albums from Peek-a-Boo records, and has already had seven nationwide tours that sold out. Their guitar feedback mixed with otherworldly melodies paint brilliant contrasting colours in the listeners mind, and balances out their overall sound. Go lose yourself in an avalanche of The Octopus Project!
-Sara

Avatar the last Airbender… Its just the cartoon that plays for hours at a time on ToonNick, and rambles on in its kitschy cuteness. Most of you ignore it, but ever since my eight-year-old cousin got me hooked on it, I haven’t been able to stop or watch any episode too many times. Its sour in its sweetness, yet profound in its underlying meaning, which incorporates the diverse philosophies of the east. Plus, there is crazy cool, animated kung fu!
In the world of Avatar, there are four nations. Each nation has certain citizens who are able to control and manipulate the elements of their country. The vicious and insensitive Fire Nation is warring upon the Earth and Water Kingdoms. It wasn’t this way 100 years ago. Everyone was at peace with each other, and the Avatar, the reincarnated master of all of the four elements, was the ambassador of harmony in the world. And then, the avatar disappeared, and the Fire Nation launched their quest for world domination.
Sokka and Katara, two siblings from the Southern Water tribe, discover a twelve-year-old boy named Aang and his sky bison Appa in a block of ice. This find embarks them upon a journey that will take them from one end of the earth to the other. This young boy is the new avatar, an air bender, and the last of his kind. After the destruction of the entire Air nation population by the Fire Nation, the only hope for airbending and the world is Aang and his team of benders and friends.
This show is irresistibly heartwarming, and quirky in so many ways. There are parts of me that dont want to like this show because its so, well, childish. Aang is a just a young kid with an incredible amount of pressure on top of his shoulders. Still, he manages to always have a sunny, cooky attitude towards everyone and everything. He also has an immense ability to care, and is devastated that his accidental disappearance caused the world so much pain in his absence. He is perfectly complimented by his rag-tag team of companions. Sokka, who has no bending capabilities, is our main source of comedic relief. Katara, a waterbending master, is very caring as well and nurtures the group. Toph, the blind and tough earth-bending master, is the epitome of girl power without in anyway bring to mind the powderpuff girls.
Philadelphia Native M. Night Shyamalan is currently directing a live action picture, entitled The Last Airbender, which recreates the entire journey of Aang and his friends. This film, due out in the summer of 2010, stars SlumDog Millionaire’s Dev Patel and Twilight’s Jackson Rathbone. Avatar: The Last Airbender, although it is forever to be remembered in reruns, is a fantastic series that anyone and everyone should enjoy.