Manual High School - Thunderbolt Yearbook (Denver, CO)

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Manuafs Melodians and Melody Maids gather around the piano to review s ome of the songs they will sing at a church program the following Sunday. S Music Furnished By Melody Maids and Melodeons March 30, 1942 fM.T.H.S.l. Miss Eva Mclielvey, Manuals vocal music director, gave praise to the Melody Maids and Melod- eons, two unique vocal organiza- tions. The group, Miss McKelvey said, is made up of young people who are ready at any time to sing as separate groups, to- gether, or to form the nucleus of a large chorus of singers when called upon. These organizations have been functioning for a long time. They have been called upon to sing at c h u r c h e s, banquets, school assemblies and programs at other schools. Both organizations hold re- hearsals twice a week in the auditorium. Some of this year's most active boys have been: Jim Johnson. Jack Hook, Bob Wogrin, John Telea, Dale Shaw, Don Scott, Bill Trestnk, Bob McDonald, Richard Miklich, Clyde Chenault, John Alexander, Joseph Uemera, Calvin Anderson, Bob Martin, Aaron Herrera and Leonard Tomich. Among the most prominent girls in the Melody Maids are: Betty Lou Carlson, Roberta Dar- by, Margie Fouts, Lena Mar- chetti, D o r oth y Vandergriff, Mary Lee Layton, Doris Hicks, Martha Kesson, Dorothy Steele, Clara Belle Dyet, Eleanor Mur- phy and Genevieve Jones. This year dark suits, white shirts and bow ties were chosen for the boys and blue skirts and white blouses were the uniforms for the girls. Band ctive rganization ll Year In addition to musical activi- ties, Manual's band also spon- sors many different drives, and functions in various other ways throughout the year. This organivation, under the direction of Mr. Arthur Olson, is one of the busiest and most important groups in the school. Their time is well taken up in many ways. They appear at football games, giving demon- strations, and cheering for the old home team. Thev give con- certs to the music lovers of the entire city, and march in parades two or three times during the year. Their side activities in- clude successful skating parties, newspaper drives, socials and rallies. The present enrollment of the band is well over 50 students, and the waiting list and junior hand bring the total would-be band to far over a hundred. The uniforms are cadet blue. the original Manual blue, with gold trimmings and buttons. Dif- fering from many schools, Man- ual's girls wear skirts of the same color and material as the boys' trousers. The same hats are worn by both boys and girls. They are garrison style. The names of some of this year's most active students were taken from actual files, and were found to be the following: Ger- ald Baker, Russel Kling, Don Forrester, Jim Glassman, Nathan Levy, and Bloyce Scott, all sen- iors. The Manual Training High Concert Band is one of the busiest organiza- tions in the school. Not only do they find time to play at football games, concerts, and parades, but they sponsor socials, paper drives, and skating parties. Xi I ,ffm 'rr' -1 27

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THAT YOU HALL ll 5 . E Ulf llfanunl is proud of its orchestra.- Mlllly' lrclleficifil and enjoyable con- certs have been preseulml lay this organization umlcr llic able direc- tion of Arthur Olson. Students Letter in Urchestra This year for the tirst time in Manual, students were able to earn letters in band and orches- tra, as well as athletics. The possibilities and details of this new system were prepared by a student committee, Mr. Ol- son and Mr. llall. lt was de- cided that any student in either band or o r c h e s t ra earning enough points bv practice, par- ticipation in all activities of either or both organizations, pri- vate lessons, or by performing solos at any function should be allowed to have a letter in band or orchestra. The symbolic musical lyre is the base of the letter, and the letter B or O printed near the bottom is used to signif'y the activity in which the student has earned his points. The lyre is made of blue felt and the initial is printed in red. Gold bars are also printed on the lyre if the student has earned more than the required number of points. There are over 50 students that take part, in the Manual or- chestra. This group has a complete group practice once each day, and sectional rehearsals several times each week, They have appeared in three concerts on Sunday afternoons, two concerts at school, and in several assembly programs and plays during the school year. Although the band does not have special uniforms, dark suits are recommended t'or the boys, and dark dresses for the girls. umerous Voices Are Skill- full Blended in Chorus March 24.1942 tM.'l'.ll,S.l. As we approach the auditorium. strains of harmonious music t'all upon our fascinated ears. lipon entering, we perceive the chorus, Some are clad in black robes and others in contrasting white, We then discover that this is the assembly program given in honor of Easter. The chorus, composed of 65 students, made the production one of extreme beauty and significance. ,lohn Alexander, a sophomore, sang The Calvary in a rich voice with sincere feeling. ln recognition of Palm Sunday, the chorus sang Palm Branches and llark, What Mean Those Heavenly Voices. A superior arrangement of Our Mighty Fortress in Our God was pre- sented by a double chorus. vas? ., Not only did Manual's chorus sing at this program, but all through the year they particie pated in numerous assembly prof grams and also at various pro- ductions such as t'hristinas, Thanksgiving, and other presene tations. On Arniisticc Iiay their voices added to the enjoyment of the audience. This group is under the skills ful direction of Miss Eva McKel- vey, who, through her many years of experience, can mold a spectacular vocal group from students, many of whom have had no voice training whatsoe ever. She is given well de- served praise from both students and teachers for her outstanding direction, Two l'lundre1l and liigllty ,loin Manual Music Classes Two hundred and eighty stu- dents are in and out of Manual auditorium daily at t end ing classes, The auditorium is the only room in the building big enough to accommodate the large classes, the two pianos. and stacks of music used in the con- ducting of these classes. On assembly days, or on days when the auditorium is sched- uled for practice of some kind, the classes are moved to either 112 or one of the study halls, The vocal music class is one of the most popular classes in school, judging from the number of students enrolled ill this class. All of these classes are under the direction of Miss Eva Mc- Kelvey.

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Drama Class Presents atalogue December 31, 1941 tM.T.H.S.J. The Catalogue, a one-act com- edy of farm life, was presented at Manual by members of Miss Daly's drama class. The play was directed by Tommy Burns, who also played the part of Mr. Martin, father of Myrtle and husband of Mrs. Martin. The scene was the living room of the Martin home just after the ar- rival of the catalogue from the big store. The story centered around this family and their friends, Joe Burke, M'yrtle's boy friend, Mrs. .lones, a newsy neighbor, Ger- tie and Jim, neighboring dren and friends of Myrtle. The arrival of the catalogue causes great excitement. The women folk spend lavishly on themselves. while poor Pa Mar- tin moans woefully as the con- tents of his fat but tight purse decrease. The way in which Myrtle worked her beau into a proposal provided much comedy and en- joyment. The play ended in happiness for all except Pa, who finally had to pay quite a sum for a wedding dress for his daughter. Those who took part in the play were: Alice Carver as Myr- tle, Victor Jeter as .loe Burke. Ruth White as the town gossip, Mrs, Jones, Virginia Moreland as Mrs, Martin, Ellen Baker as Gertie, and Walter Beebe as Jim. chil- The most beautiful story in the world, The Nativity, brought to life to express the beauty and solemnity of an American Christmas. A huge cast of students was used for the production al Manual this year. hristmas Scenes Reviewed Ilecember lit, 1941 tM.T.H.S.l. The Nativity, one of the old- est and most beautiful stories known to man, came to life in a stirring and beautiful pageant presented by the students ot' Manual's Spanish Club and mu- sic departments, The story was told by a nar- rator dressed in rich robes of biblical times, While he verb- ally paiuted the scene. it ap- peared on the stage behind hint just as it might, have appeared then. Angels, robed in flowing white, carrying their harps and horns, appeared before ill-clad. spellbouud shepherds to tell them the joyous news. Mary and .loseph stood guard over the infant, and the wise men brought their gifts. Glorious carols filled the room as singers, accompanied by the orchestra, joyously sang of Beth- lehem and shepherds, The audi- ence listened and watched in- tently without stirring, spell- bouud by the realism and beauty of the costumed figures on the stage. Each year the story is told and portray:-fig each year it is enjoyed and understood a little more ity Manual students. The faculty committee was made up of Miss Agnes lllanck, backstage director, Miss Herne- detta Daly, dramatic director, Miss Eva NlcKelvey. vocal music, Mr, Arthur Olson, instrumental music. and Mr. ilarold Manly, light ami scenery director. Members of the cast, The Catalogue, caught during its rare moment of fun, instead of work, during rehearsal. Annual P.-T. A. Be lefit Show Presented March 26,1942 tlVl.T.H.S.7. The annual P.-T, A. benefit show was presented in the Manual audi- torium under the sponsorship of Manual's P.-T. A. mothers. The feature of the evening was a program of dance numbers pre- sented by a local dancing school. Easter and patriotic music was presented by the Manual chorus under the direction of Miss E-va McKelvey. The Manual string quartet presented two numbers. This group is a portion of the regular Manual orchestra. Manual's stage was set with the famous garden background scenery and wings of green trees and vines. Several light changes made the program more com- plete and enjoyable. Music Department March 14, 1942 tM.T.l'l.S.l. Several Sunday afternoon con- 'certs were presented by Man- ual's instrumental music depart- ment during this concert season. The concerts, free to the pub- lis, were presented at Cole Jun- ior High School in order to ac- commodate large crowds attend- ing each concert. The theme, Music for Uniting the Americas. was carried out in all the concerts. South American music, as well as our own, had an important place on every program. The first concert featured the orchestra in a complete concert. The following two were shared with the band. Gives Concert Manuals string quartet had an important place in the winter season concert which was the second of the two. The third concert featured the band playing a group of Amer- ican war songs and several semi- classicals. Aside from the Sunday cou- certs, two others, one an orches- tra concert and the other a band concert., were presented to the students and l'aculty at Manual. The concerts were under the direction of Mr. Arthur Olson, instrumental instructor at Mau- ual. Ushering and patron service was handled by the Blue Jacket Club.