Arkansas City High School - Mirror Yearbook (Arkansas City, KS)

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vh- .KY ,v,,, Vf 1,7 f fi if Y rf Q' f 'f. , 7, -. .ir 'ff F5 T. X 15, A 1 . N. 1, ,V ., ..,, NT 0 H PAGE 60 he Gondollers Arkansas City went metropolitan in a big way March 24, for it was on that day that the music departments of high school and junior college presented their annual operetta. The responsibility for the production of this immense project was assumed by Charles L. Hinchee, who is vocal instructor of high school and college. The Gondoliers , also known as The King of Barataria , was chosen as the project. The story of the operetta was laid in Venice in 1750 on the mythical island of Barataria. The first act opened with a chorus scene of peasant girls and gondoliers. According to the custom a marriage festival was held every year at which time two gondoliers were blind- folded and, at a given signal, rushed out and touched two girls whom they were supposed to marry. In accordance with this custom Gian- etta and Tessa married Marco and Giuseppe. All went well until the Duke of Plaza-Tora announced that his daugh- ter, Casilda, was married at the tender age of two and a half to the young King of Barataria, and in light of the fact that the young king was lost and could not be found, it would be best for her not to carry on her love affair with Luiz, the King's attendant. Don Alhambra de Bolero, the Grand Inquisitor, informed Marco and Guiseppe that one of them was probably the lost king. Enthused by the possibility of be- ing of royal blood, Marco and Guiseppe left their newly acquired wives and sailed for the island of Barataria. The second act found the two resplen- dent in court attire and sitting upon the throne. All of the mystery and entangle- ment was revealed when Inez, Luiz's foster mother, discloses the fact that Luiz was the lost king and was married to Casilda. Marco, Guiseppe, Tessa, and Gianetta were all reunited and events were brought to a happy ending. Bobby Clark was simply a wow as the Spanish gandee and at times seemed to control the entire interests of the audi- ence. The part of his high-toned wife was played competently by Veda Mills. Winifred Barker and Nina Davis, as the romantic pair, Luiz and Casilda, turned out a splendid performance. No one who attended can ever forget John Tufts and Albert Lambert, the merry gondoliers, Marco and Guiseppe. Captola Shelhamer and Margaret Seal, as their strangely acquired wives, also deserve special men- tion. Harold Keller simply bowled them over in his part as the Grand Inquisitor. Others who had leading parts were Rob- ert Ramsey as Annibaleg Henry Bum- gardner, Francescog Joe Sweely, Gior- giag Wayne Thomas, Ottaviog Alice Wil- son, Fiamettag Bonnie Jean Smith, Vit- toriag and Evelynne Caine, Guilia. A chorus of approximately 80 mem- bers was chosen from the various glee clubs and a troupe of 14 dancers was chosen from the girls' gym classes. The special orchestra was also called into service. The success of The Gondoliers was the result of the cooperation of practic- ally every department in school. Those who deserve special mention are Miss Vera Koontz of the art department, which provided scenic effects, W. A. Sneller for stage carpentry, A. E. San Romani who trained the orchestrag and Miss Edith Davis, who had charge of the training of the dancers. Keith Curfman, as business manager, George Pitts, as advertising manager, and Kathleen Pfisterer, as publicity director, did their part in making the operetta a financial success. The stage manager, Aldo Orin, and his assistants, Junior Miller and Louis Johns were also extremely capable in the production. Property managers were Martha Beek- man and Roberta Bowen. The costumes used represented Italian garments of the middle eighteenth cen- tury. The brilliant colors and the splen- did lighting effects cooperated with the appropriate scenery in creating a luxur- ious setting which contributed appreci- ably to the beauty of the operetta. si-S Kv-Vg Il 6 d I' H e on O lers The Duke of Plaza-Toro ta Grandee of Spain! .... H ---- l4 l'l'5' C Luiz Qhis attendant! ...--- ---- ------- f f- Don Alhambra de Bolero lthe Gi-and lnrlU151U Marco Palmieri ..... ------ ----- f Guiseppe ....... , , Annibale ...., Francesco Giorgio ..... Ottavio ....,,. The Duchess Casilda lher of Plaza-Toro daughterl .....--- ' Gianetta ......., ,, Tessa ..... ........ . ....------ Fiametta ....,, Vittoria ..., Giulia lzxrk , Winfreml Harker , Harold Keller John Tufts Albert Lambert , Robert Ramsey Henry Iiunnzarclner Joe Sweelb' V Vylnyne Thomas V Veda Mills , Nina Davis Cuptolzi Shelhamer lvlzirixaret Seal , ,,,,, Alice Wilson Bonnie Jean Smith Evelynne Cain PAGE 61

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CDrchestra The Senior Orchestra, under the direc- tion of Archie E. San Romani, has made rapid development in recent years. From a small group of musicians it has grown into a well-trained orchestra of eighty- five pieces, comparable to any high school orchestra in the state. This advancement is largely due to the untiring ambition and zealous efforts of the director. Mr. San Romani works con- tinuously with the betterment of the or- chestra always in mind. When the music department presented The Messiah on December 15 as an annual project, the special orchestra did its part to make the oratorio a success. ,A concert was given on February 28 in the auditorium by the entire orchestra. No admission was charged and a large crowd of townspeople came to hear and see the display of local talent. The high school-junior college operetta, The Gon- doliers, given March 24, also received the cooperation of the special orchestra. Special music was provided for the school plays. Band Pep is what any good high school wants and needs. The band, under the direction of A. E. San Romani, has done much to create pep and enthusiasm at all the football and basketball games. This organization together with the pep club presented stunts at the half-time intermissions to create enthusiasm and keep the enthusiasm of the student body aflame. The band made several good-will tours to surrounding cities. It was a guest band at the Cowley County fair at Win- field, the Chatauqua County fair, and the South Haven fair. It also took part in the annual Arkalalah parade in Ar- kanas City. During the regional basketball tourn- ament the band paraded with banners advertising it. The organization also played at all games during the tourna- ment which helped to make it a success. The band had an extra feature this year. It gave free concerts in the new auditorium every other month alternat- ing with the high school orchestra. Perhaps no organization in high school that performs such indispensible services is as little known as the orchestra. Play- ing for the Messiah, Arkalalah corona- tion, operetta and special concerts are only part of the responsibilities assumed by this organization. The Senior Orchestra, composed en- tirely of students, meets during third hour on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fri- days in the band room at the north end of the new auditorium. Here is San's domain and here begins the practice and preparation which finally blossoms forth as the finished product of which the school can well be proud. Members of the special orchestra, which plays for most of the school func- tions where music is desired, are chosen for their personal ability and industry. This method encourages individual efort and ambition on the part of the pupils and introduces the element of compe- tition with the consequent improvement of the organization. The organization has regulation band uniforms with black ties and shoes. The capes and hats are the school colors, the purple and gold. E. A. San Romani has developed the band into one of the best in the state. The bright uniforms and snappy drills present an interesting sight wherever the band performs. Our San , as the students call him, deserves the credit for making the band what it is, for he has spent much of his time working with it. ' The band has a total of '75 members. The officersiare William Guthrie, presi- dent and assistant directorg Gwendolyn Grow. secretary, and Gilbert Dillon, busi- ness manager. Twirlers are Keith Cum- mins, Ernestine Bigley, Marcalee Ferger- son, Doris Force, and Dorothy Maple. Betty Anne Gericke is head drum major. The band has a regulation staff of color escorts and color bearers. Betty Allen is color sergeant. Glenda Harris carries the school flag with Helen Mingle and Bette Kimsey as escorts. ' Swingstersl 'Wu QQ -'ESQ Ni N ! IAGE 58 PAGE J

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This 'n Thai: Why Genevieve, thisjs Hinchee's picture! At last, the face that broke the camera! Watch those calories, Jane Dr. Brenz pauses to chat. Watch the birdie! William has a birthday party. What, no balcony? They're right fine spec- imens, Bill! P.M.'s intra-mural bas- ketball champs. Why the gloom, Hig- by? The Domestic Science class and their char- ges for the day. A Gondolier And I says to him--- Was that a good one! Fire Drill daze. One of those lvlirror sponsors. Oh well, if you insist, I'll pose! Guess who! Vittoria, alias Bonnie Smith. .ffl f :QS i. .ini +75- A.C.'s Athletes ig?-1 PAGE 62 PAGE 68