Senior Michael Johnson considers him self pretty lucky. Last summer, as many high school students bussed tables or flipped burgers, he was making money doing the thing he loves. Six nights a week in a mountain lodge in East Glacier, Johnson was a member of a performing cabaret. "It was such a great experience," said Johnson of the dramatic musical group. "I learned so much about drama and the basic fundamentals" of performing. Johnson is just one of many FHS students who have found creative ways to market their skills.
Johnson was the only high-school-aged member in the cabaret, which performed a show entitled "Decades II," a collection of popular songs throughout the ages.
"It was so nice to have freedom," said Johnson who worked as a gardener during the day and lived at the lodge for the summer season.
Claiming that he always has a tune in his head, Johnson has performed in numerous choirs over the last 12 years and hopes to "at least minor in music."
"Singing can be a window to the soul," said Johnson. "It is the way of expressing myself."
Expanding music options on the FHS campus has raised FHS music participation from one in nine , nine years ago, to around one in three students, said band director Allen Slater. However, not all of these students have learned to market their music into a money-making skill.
Seniors Seth Schmautz, Josh Nickerson, Ryan Fenner, Paula Rafferty and sophomore Aaron Engebretson are among those who have. These five ambitious music students are members of a performing brass quintet called The Flying Burrito Brothers.
The group was founded two years ago as a quartet but didn't acquire its rather unique name until spring of 1996.
"We were doing a workshop with Milton Stevenson, the principal trombonist of the National Symphony Orchestra, and he compared us to a circus show," said Nickerson, a fourth-year baritone player. "Someone said The Flying Burrito Brothers in reference to the circus and when we got to the concert everyone was calling us that."
After a feature with the National Symphony Orchestra on PBS's News Hour with Jim Lehrer, the group began practicing on a regular basis and performing at events and functions throughout the valley.
"We play one or two times a month," said horn player Schmautz, naming churches, concerts and the mall as places The Flying Burrito Brothers have appeared.
"Sometimes we're paid," added Fenner, the group's first trumpet player. "We also receive donations for our services."
Practices are relaxed because "if music becomes tedious, you shouldn't be doing it," explained Rafferty.
Although the quintet consists of five unique personalities, one thing these students all share is a love of music.
"Music is really important to me," said Rafferty. "I always want to continue playing."
While it has been a lot of work, the group agrees that the quintet has improved their musical skills.
"Playing in a small ensemble makes you listen more," said Schmautz. "You have to decide when you're important and when you're not."
"Any time musicians have a chance to work together for a common goal it focuses and enhances their abilities," said Slater. "There is no person who can afford to be unprepared, and that's why a small ensemble is so strong for the people involved."
Perhaps one of the most successful student ensembles in the valley is the orchestra quartet called Armoniosa. Group members Sarah Bohlman, Rebecca Valentino, Jenny Fawcett and Quinn Lake all are ninth graders at the junior high and perform regularly for charities and functions around the valley.
The group formed in October of 1995, when one of the four friends said, "Hey look, we make a quartet," explained Lake.
"Our orchestra teacher (Lindy James) got us together and we instantly liked it," added Bohlman.
"We practice as much as possible," said Lake. "We come with a serious attitude, but practices always end up being really fun."
Armoniosa has gained recognition throughout the valley, performing everywhere from weddings to creeksides in Glacier Park. The group's versatility and the young ages of its members have only added to Armoniosa's success.
"We play anything," said Lake. "We take requests."
"We love the Beatles," said Bohlmam. "We're big fans."
While members hope to continue playing throughout college, "I think we all want to major in music," said Lake, for now Armoniosa is enjoying its recent recognition and has recently finished a string of performances including charity events and weddings.
Said Bohlman: "Being part of a quintet is just my way of sharing my gift."
Anyone who has ever hit the side of her com puter or stared in wonder as the word "ERROR"
flashed across his screen can appreciate the skills of senior Jason Copeland.
Copeland, a web-smart student who has designed his own web pages and always had an interest in computers, works approximately five hours a day, Monday through Friday, for the internet service provider Digysis.
"I mostly do tech support," said Copeland. "If people get software and have problems, I walk them through certain processes to get it working for them."
Copeland began his work for Digysis early in his junior year when the company recruited for computer-fluent college or high school students.
"When the founders started the business, they needed someone to help as they got busier," said Copeland.
"I went to the school and asked for an intern," added Leesa Valentino, one of Digysis's founders. "(Copeland) was here within a couple of hours."
Despite Copeland's young age, the job was his.
"Our company is very young," said Valentino. "As long as they are willing and able to work, it doesn't matter how old (employees) are."
Copeland hopes to pursue a career in computer science. And according to his employers, Copeland's future looks promising.
His work has been "excellent," said Valentino. "I get a lot of compliments from customers on how patient he is - and how much he knows."
As a child she had perfect coloring books.
Although senior Sasha Smith no longer fills in pictures of Barbie or Big Bird, she still has a strong commitment to her art. At the end of the month, Smith and fellow artist senior Trina Zahller will display the products of their time and energy in an art show at Soucie and Soucie Hair Salon.
"We start hanging on Jan. 26," said Zahller. "The show will run six weeks."
Profits from the show will help fund Smith and Zahller's trip to Italy this spring to study art with a group through FVCC, although the show and trip are completely separate.
"I think artwork is one of the most accurate ways to learn of different cultures," said Zahller. The trip "will be a great way to learn about a different society."
Organizing and displaying your own show is "not common among high school students," said art teacher Wes Hines. "It can be compared to doing a 20- to 50-page thesis paper."
Although the show is certainly hard work, for Smith and Zahller the opportunity to share their art is worth the effort.
"For myself, art is a way to vent my frustrations and passions all at once," explained Zahller. "It's really the only way that I can put into a physical form the way I feel about things and about myself."
Added Smith: "There is no other way of expressing yourself than through art."
Although Smith and Zahller have different interests they wish to pursue as well, art has been an important part of their lives.
Said Zahller: "No matter what happens, it will always be there."