Everett High School Music Program

EHS Music Program Members

2006-2007

Gary Evans - the band director at EHS, grew up in Cashmere, Washington. He was inspired to play by the High School concerts directed by his father, Hugh Evans. He started playing the trumpet at age 7, and by age 17 he had a fanbase of elderly ladies who requested old favorites during his practice sessions. Gary's professional experience includes playing with the New Deal Rythm Band, The Mills Brothers, The Ted Weems Orchestra, Maynard Ferguson, The Seahawks Band, American-Hawaii Cruise Lines and Harmonic Horizon. He also sang bass with the Fiji Four for 33 years. Gary completed his undergraduate work at CWU, and his graduate studies at WWU. He began to teach in 1969, and landed at Everett High School in 1991. Before Everett he taught in Melbourne, Australia, WWU, Lynden High School, Rose Hill Junior High, Lake Washington High School and Monroe Middle School. Many of Gary's students have gone on to become professional musicians.

Christine Hansen - was raised singing. She began to perform for audiences at age 6. Her extensive involvement in school and church choirs and band from an early age on enhanced her music skills in the community of Arlington, Washington, where she was raised. As a sophomore of 16, Christine won "1st place soloist" in a national competition held in Miami, Florida. At age 18, she continued her education attending the University of Washington as a "Vocal Performance Major." During and in the proceeding years, Christine's solo career started to blossom and grow. She had the privilege of performing as a guest soloist for the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra. Over the next 8 years, Christine began performing around the USA, Canada, and abroad. She traveled and sang in Australia, Tasmania, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Sweden and various other places.
In 1983, her son Matthew was born and Christine refocused her career locally. She continued to sing solo concerts, taught music in several private schools, and provided individual lessons in both voice and piano. After a 22 year hiatus from the University of Washington, Christine completed her music degree in education. She graduated in the Spring of 2000 and was hired at Everett High School the next fall.

Symphonic Band - Symphonic Band meets daily during 4th period, and is made up up students with intermediate and advanced music skills. In Symphonic Band, students develop advanced skills in sight reading and in individual and ensemble performance. Attendance is required at a series of school and community concerts, assemblies, athletic events, and extra rehearsals as deemed necessary by the band director.

Concert Band - Concert Band meets daily during 3rd period, and is the entry level band for High School. The focus of this course is to provide a positive, nurturing environment that maximizes the musical potential of the students. In Concert Band, students develop fundamental skills in sight reading and in individual and ensemble performance. Attendance is required at a series of school and community concerts, assemblies, athletic events, and extra rehearsals deemed necessary by the band director.

Jazz Orchestra - The Jazz Orchestra at EHS is designed to enhance the performance potential of the membership. Jazz arrangements are carefully selected to provide a feature for each student that expresses a desire to play or sing in front of the band. The focus of the instructor and students is to provide a positive nurturing environment where the soloist receives unconditional support throughout the stages of their development. Instruction is provided in the art of improvisation, and students are encouraged to solo with the band. The Jazz Orchestra develops an extensive repertoire in order to provide lengthy community performances. Every effort is made to be inclusive with regard to instrumentation. Student jazz compositions are encouraged as well as any other use of the Jazz Orchestra as a means of creating a Culminating Exhibition Project. The Jazz Orchestra produces a recording annually at Avast Recording Studios.

Concert Choir - A non-audition mixed choir for students who desire to gain a better understanding of singing and music. The course work is offered to young musicians with a desire to advance their music skills and knowledge. Emphasis is placed on the individual singing voice, reading skills, and ensemble singing. Course content continues in note reading, ear training, vocal technique, musical vocabulary, musical phrasing, and performance in varied styles. Students study and perform choral literature of all styles and from all periods of music. Concert Choir performs at several concerts, community events, and festivals during the school year. Attendance at all performances is a requirement of this course.

Honor Choir - An intermediate level choir, which studies and performs choral literature of all styles periods of music. Emphasis is placed on the use of proper choral and vocal technique, music theory, and intermediate music reading skills. The choir performs at several concerts, community events, and festivals during the year. Attendance at all performances is required.

Jazz Choir - Jazz Choir is a select audition-only ensemble for students are interested in singing a highly advanced repertoire. Course content includes the study and performance of jazz styles including the jazz ballad, blues, bee-bop, Latin, and swing. Along with further developing skills in note reading, ear training, vocal technique, musical vocabulary, and phrasing, emphasis is be placed on improvisation and jazz theory. Jazz Choir performs at several concerts, contests, festivals, and community events throughout the year, including some weekends. Attendance is required at all performances and rehearsals outside of the school day when deemed necessary by the director. Participation is required in an additional instrumental or vocal performance group.