Hill Murray High School - Omega Yearbook (St Paul, MN)

Page 71 text:

First row, left to right: Phyllis Johnson, Lorraine Picha, Ruth Bear, Marilyn Janneck, Betty Matthews, Janet Williams, Marilyn Carlson, Norma Mattson, Betty Svvyryd 4 Doug Malmquist, Jerome Olson, Bob Hahnen, Richard Fossing, Robert Joseph, Don Harvey, Joanne Tollerud. Nancie Bowden, Beverly Miller, Joanne Jensen K Alfred Nelson, Charlotte Miller, Laurene Malkenthin, Terese Hurley, Don Anderson, Robert Granovsky, Lenore Huwe, Rita Koch, Laura Brown, Kay Horeish 4 Eileen Gavin, Marge Knowlan, Joanne Petersen, Cynthia Kane, Dick Clausen, Richard Herschler, Chuck Grose, Art Koch, Joyce Christensen, Mary Ellen Hoaglund. TODAY A CULTURAL JOY Indispensable to Murray High School is its eighty- voice choir. Its well-trained members offer a marked contrast to the singing school of Minnesota's territorial days. Saint Paul from its early history has always been as- sociated with cultural achievements, and in that respect Murray's choir has added to the advancement of music in giving both participants and listeners an opportunity to appreciate the best in music. This year the choir, directed by Mrs. Helen McGeever, has contributed an outstanding year's work to Murray's history. Early in the fall choir members chose Paul Richardson as their presi- dent, Joan Piper as vice president, Suzanne Preus as secretary, and Donald Harvey as treasurer. The busy schedule for i948-49 began apprehensive- ly with the procedure of testing voices which was re- peated as a demonstration lesson for Dr. VVinslow's class in music education from the University of Minne- sota. After members had been placed in their respective sections, the choir was ready to begin rehearsing for assembly programs. At a meeting of the M. E. A., four members from each of the eight sections were selected to sing in the All-State Chorus led by Don Craig, one of Fred Waring's choral directors. These numbers were repeated for an assembly at which Charles Grose, an active A Choir student, directed, and for a P. T. A. meeting at which time Miss lylathilda Heck acted as guest conductor. A date of significance to the choir and to every Mur- rayite with romantic inclinations is February i4, Valen- tine's Day. Singing telegrams, sponsored by the Mur- curie, were sung by groups of two and three choir members acting as cupid's messengers. A great deal of excitement accompanied the big question of the year-what operetta was to be given? The Chimes of Normandy or The Bells of Corneville was scarcely selected when a new problem arose. Try- outs for leads uncovered a great deal of talent, which made choosing the large cast extremely difficult. After extensive tryouts and keen competition the parts were double and triple cast. Hours of practice during and after school to perfect solos and choruses, rehearse the orchestra, and prepare pre-views resulted in two per- formances given in April when the choir successfully and ably presented the finished operetta. In spite of the hard work necessary, the cast found time to have fun and to laugh at their problems. Still the year's program for the choir was not over. As in previous years following the operetta, the choir directed its energy to more practicing so that members might honor the Class of i949 at baccalaureate and commencement. Other music students augment the A Choir with programs in and outside of school. The Harvest, a can- tata, was given by members of the B Choir, who re- hearsed numbers to be sung by the A Choir in addi- tion to their own in case extra voices were needed. For the Christmas program of Girls' League, the Girls' Glee Club presented a group of songs and carols with so- loists. The Girls' Sextette and the Boys' Quartet or Melody Four are two musical groups that have become well- known outside of school as well as to the students for their excellent singing and lively programs. Page sixty-seven

Page 70 text:

First raw, left to right: Elsie Simon, Barbara Rice, Jeannine Ball, Betty Tutt, Geraldine Gautschi, Joyce Christesen, Joan Piper, Marilyn Connelly, Kathryn Berge 'lf Ardell Hecht, Kay Johnson, Pat Peloski, Caryl Anderson, Barbara Bjornstad, Mary Zimmer, Suzanne Preus, Marjorie de Neui, Doreen Ronning, Helen Finger Y Phyllis Moline, Audrey Olson, Joan Wason, Patricia Lyon, Jerry Pickering, Dan Neale, Dick Richard- son, Rae Marie Vasterling, Joan Manson F Joe Kvaase, Owen Eckblom, Bob Steveken, Robert Schrader, Art Kistler, Richard Jorgenson, Chuck Michaelson, Richard Lantz, James Harmon, Paul Richardson. YESTERDAY A DREAM Traditional Christmas songs and carols were present- ed by the choir and soloists at an assembly and eve- ning performance ot the annual candlelight program. For the hrst time in Murray's history, the majestic strains of Handel's great Hallelujah Chorus echoed through the auditorium. This and the singing ot carols in the halls were the choir's inspiring contribution to the spirit of Christmas, which was enlarged by a special trip which the carolers made to Ancker Hospital. Talent was discovered among the junior class mem- bers ot the A Choir during tryouts tor the i948 op- eretta, H. M. S. Pinafore, and a number played leading roles in the production. The third operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan to be presented at Murray, Pinafore is the story of a lowly sailor in love with the captain's daughter who must choose between him and her high social rank. The situation is reversed, however, when a nursemaid ot the captain and sailor admits that she confused the two as children. First row, left to right: Joan Manson, Jerry Pickering, Richard Foss- Left to right: Harold Grove, Gordon Lindgren, Marie Larson, Dick ing, Betty Tutt F Eileen Gavin, Paul Richardson, Don Harvey, Rita Lantz, Beverly Murphy, James Bailey, Charles Grose, Myla Med- Koch F Joanne Petersen, Richard Herschler, Jim Harmon, Sue chill, Dan Neale, Mrs. Helen McGeever, Charles Michaelson, Bob Preus. Joseph, Dick Thomas. Page sixty-six

Page 72 text:

DQN Wg H V013 F02 T. MAKE 1 c. GEIQNI Quest-I -gin num GET 0 Dive 'l ,nv-1 ', HOMECOMING HOURS RETURN Homecoming has become a traditional event ot Mur- ray as each year o senior girl is chosen to be queen of the festivities. Bright fall days and the sharp October air gave cr fitting atmosphere to the early dawn ex- cursions to hang posters and to after-school campaign- ing. Early in the week signs, posters, ribbons, and other publicity ideas kept the student body informed about the five queen candidates. The girls chosen smiled will- ingly os their worried managers did last minute ground- work. The crowning of the queen is always a beautiful and thrilling moment-mode more so this year when the Page sixty-eight , queen of St. Paul's Winter Carnival crowned Phyllis Johnson qs Murray's 1948 homecoming queen. lcircle inset abovel There is always time for a social moment or two, and the photographer was on hand to take the obove pic- tures following a breakfast party at Shirley Swe-nsen's house. Above-Owen Eckblom, Audrey Grove, Barbara Biornstod, and Kenneth Larson. Below seated-Phyllis Johnson, Shirley Swensen, Genevieve Kulenkamp. Standing are managers Richard Eddy, Kyle Peterson, and Bob Joseph.