alumni news - Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School

students
Beginning the Crescendo
CJ Performing Arts takes Center Stage
The Chaminade Julienne performing arts
department has taken on a new look this
year with many new faces and talents
comprising its cast. Natalie Houliston,
newly–hired artistic advisor announced
from the stage of CJ’s fall play, “Fools,”
her appreciation for the support she and
the department has received “as we blaze
a new trail for the arts at CJ.”
Houliston joins Debi Schutt, CJ music
veteran, and newly appointed director
of bands and choir in the department’s
revitalization effort. John Marshall, CJ
principal, hired Houliston to direct the
fall play and spring musical and help
plan and implement programs that
would create excitement and increase
participation in the performing arts. Her
work includes providing vocal lessons,
movement workshops and practicing
scene work.
WINTER 2009 4
“This year has brought a time of transition
and change to performing arts at CJ,” said
Schutt.” There is a renewed energy and a
focused effort to improve many aspects of
the department–and auditorium.
Along with Houliston and Schutt, others
who play vital supporting roles in the department
include Judi MacLeod, Cuvilly
director, who directs the liturgical choir;
Karen Rinn, an English teacher who
instructs theater; Chris Johnson, who
serves as school band director at Holy
What a Blast!
CJ Band Marches
in a New Direction
Angels; Anthony Houston, a Junior
Music Education Major at UD who
serves as a percussion instructor; and
Tami Whalen, piano accompanist for
the choir.
“Everyone is excited about the prospects
of taking performing arts to a new level,”
Schutt said. “The amount of commitment
and talent in this team is sure to energize
our students and community and attract
students who seek to excel in music and
theater in high school and in college.” V
by Jay Bryant ‘12
As a student ending my freshman year at CJ, I was a little nervous, but mostly excited,
when I found out that performing arts at our school was heading in a new direction. I
had been a member of last year’s band and pep band and thoroughly enjoyed the experience
and camaraderie of my new friends.
Once summer rehearsals started, I knew that we had a brilliant year ahead of us under
the direction of our new band director and Performing Arts chair, Mrs. Debi Schutt.
Anthony Houston, a University of Dayton Music Education student, was added to the
staff to work directly with the drum line to help them improve their talents.
Many freshmen joined our group this year and we also invited junior high students
and CJ band alumni to play with us. Each time we gathered to rehearse, or ran on to
the field for a halftime performance, there was an energy and excitement that would
mold our band into an even better ensemble.
Mrs. Schutt wanted our group to grow as a community and embrace our roles as
members of the band, of CJ and of the Dayton community. This year we have had the opportunity
to perform at CJ’s President’s Reception and Distinguished Alumni Awards
reception, football games, our annual Fall Concert and Christmas Concert in collaboration
with the Concert Choir, Dayton’s reopening of Main Street, and the University of Dayton
High School Band Day–playing alongside of the “Pride of Dayton.”
We anticipate an equally exciting second half of the year that will include basketball
pep band, Honor Bands, a winter and spring concert, and Ohio Music Education
Association’s (OMEA) Solo & Ensemble Adjudicated Event. We have also been
known to participate in Music in the Parks music festivals at Kings Island and Cedar
Point. Can’t wait! V