Student clubs flood Activities Fair with off-beat ideas For those wanting to stray from the mainstream, the following activities are for you

Author: Aylie Baker

MIDDLEBURY PIPE BAND:

Josh Hendrickson '07.5 couldn't bring his piano with him when his family moved to Belgium. So, rather than sulk over this loss, Hendrickson picked himself up, moved on and decided it was time he began playing the bagpipes.

You may have heard them play last spring at the luminary ceremony for Relay for Life, or perhaps you have been fortunate enough to catch an informal performance while walking across the college green.

The Middlebury College Pipe Band, founded by Hendrickson, of Southern Vermont and Ian Hough '07 of New York, has quite the allure. While its numbers are small - with currently only four members - these bagpipers certainly comprise one of the more noteworthy clubs here on campus.

In addition to playing regularly during the academic year, the group also teaches a J-term workshop. "It's really not that difficult to play," asserts Hendrickson of the bagpipes. "There's only nine notes and the fingering is not hard. It's just when you combine squeeze, blow and play that it becomes more tricky."

In addition to playing recreationally on campus, the club's members often play in individual performances, churches, or, in Hendrickson's case, even at his brother's wedding. The club meets regularly at a time and a place agreeable for its members. Students interested in joining the band or taking the workshop should contact Hendrickson or Hough.


MOUNTAIN AYRES:

Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Monteverdi, Simon and Garfunkel - wait a minute, Monteverdi? For the Middlebury Mountain Ayres a capella group, pop, jazz and rock are all hovering in the distant future.

The group's musical selections are mainly madrigals, music from the Renaissance, consisting of complex, four-to five-part harmonies which allude to a more classical vocal interpretation and are void of beat boxing. While they plan on staying true to the interpretive style of madrigals, this year the group hopes to also pursue barbershop-style songs, by artists such as Billy Joel.

While only nine singers comprise the group, it is highly respected by the student body, and their music causes many a hair to stand up. Middlebury is one of few colleges to offer a music group which sings madrigals, explained Teddy Crecelius '08, the group's president.

The group will be holding a few informal concerts this fall as well as one in Mead Chapel. Meeting two times a week, for usually an hour and a half, the group recently accepted two new members but is always looking for new singers. "Rehearsals," explained Crecelius, "are very laid back - everyone is serious about the music," but with all the jokes, "it's no challenge to be there." Interested students should contact Crecelius for further details.


CRICKET CLUB:

For those students who are looking to pursue a more sports-oriented endeavor, the Cricket Team may be the fix. President Akshay Khanna '09, of India, remarked that he was "pleasantly surprised by how serious the practices and games were," upon arriving at Middlebury. The team, which meets from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday afternoons, boasts 20 members. Of this number, an 11-person team will be selected to play representing the College in intercollegiate contests.

The team beat NESCAC rival Williams handily this past year and only narrowly lost to Dartmouth. This year the club hopes to increase its number of games, playing other schools within the NESCAC and New England area. Students who are interested in joining the club should contact Khanna.


FLYING FISTS JUGGLING BRIGADE:

Next time you are looking for some entertainment on a dreary Tuesday evening, swing by McCullough and cast your eyes up to the Mitchell Green Lounge. Amidst the flurry of balls, rings, clubs and knives, you will discern the members of Middlebury's Flying Fists Juggling Brigade. Comprising 15 members ranging from novice to more advanced, the club aims at teaching students new tricks which, in addition to traditional juggling, include poi and contact juggling.

As for the origins of the club, "There was a juggling club a long time ago," explained Daniel Watson-Jones '09, "but it lapsed out of existence." Brian Pletcher '04 launched its revival in the form of Flying Fists Juggling Brigade and now Watson-Jones, who only began juggling upon arriving at Middlebury, is the third president.

Every spring, the club tries to sponsor a professional juggler to lead a workshop and give a performance at Middlebury. The group has also been involved in various charity events. Always looking for new members, Flying Fists Juggling Brigades meets on Tuesdays from 7:30-8:30 p.m. and on Fridays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. Interested jugglers should contact Watson-Jones or David Schoenholtz '07.