Braintree High School - Wampatuck Yearbook (Braintree, MA)

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Lois Lricson Janet Williams Braintree in ' ll! School otl ' ers nianv social activities in which pupils may participate and thereby fiain prestige, valuable experience and trainiiifj, as well as I ' un and a ood time. Tlie vocal music ‘jroups, organized under the direction of Miss Mae Lindsay, comprise the (iirls’ Choir and the Boys’ Glee Club. The (Jills’ Choir was first organized in lhi;5 with eighteen singers, an accompanist, and a director. The singers in the choir were highly selected and tests were given to determine membership. Their first concert, which was a great succe.ss, was given at the W Omen’s Be{)ublican Club in Boston. The Boys’ (ilee Club, started in 1938 by Miss Lindsay, consisted of eight boys; now, the memlxuship comprises thirty voices. One great step in the development of ' this club was the con- tribidion of money Tor the purchase of jackets. This money was donated to the boys by the Botarians and the Parent Teachers’ Association, two of the many great organizations of Braintree. Braintree High’s instrumental groups include the band and the orchestra. The first orchestra in the new high school building was assembled by .Miss Ingrid Eckman. This group was later taken over in 1933 by Mr. Frederick Lewis and was the first orchestra to play in the new high school. Mr. Lewis led his group until 1935 when he suddenly passed away. The ensemble was then taken over by its preseid-day leader, Mr. Arthur P. Ilauck. It was then used solely for football games and later given the name “band.” Aboid 1936 an orchestra was formed. Toward the latter part of 1936 a national trend occurred which led to the unpopularity of the stringed instruments. At the beginning of the next year, the stringed instruments became popular and once again the “strings” were in swing and have remaiiK ' d at the top in popularity. Although the band has been very popular, it seems that the orchestra w ill alw ays predominate. This orchestra, w Inch has played before many an audience, has had nothing but an excellent or superior rating among music groups in the .Ma.ssachusetts State Festival. In 1937 it played in a Music Festival before two hundred entertainers, both vocal and instrumental. In 1950 the Braintree High Orchestra played before a total of eight thousand. These performance ' s were outstanding. Braintree High has had, during its existence, many wonderful and interesting entertainers, some of w horn have become great musicians. ot only have some of these members become band and orchestra leaclers, but even directors of music. There have been eight band members who, in the years after graduation, have become permaneid music directors in nearby communities. Many others have become players in their college bands and a few have become outstanding players in the service bands. A few have even gone so far as to play in distinguished symphonies all over the world. ot only is it a wonderfni experience to be able to play and take part in the field of music, but it also gives credit toward college entrance. The main object of music within the school is not to make professional players of the participants but to instill an appreciation of good music, spread harmony and give pleasure in everyday life. The idea of having the senior class sponsor a yearbook dance to helf) raise money for additional feature })ages in the “annual” was started by the Class of 1950 under the sponsorship of Miss Hazel Summerville and Mr. Arigo LaTanzi. The outcome of the dance was very })rofitable, and the proceeds helped to defray expenses. The Classes of 1951 and 1952 have followed likewise. Among the gayest of stage all’airs presented at Braintree High School are the operetta, the oral Fbiglish play and the senior show. The senior show was first organized in 1930