Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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MUSIC Texas Tech's music department has developed notably since the college opened in 1925. Only 34 students en- olled in the four courses offered in 1925, while hundreds register for the many courses offered today. A Bache- lor of Music degree was first offered in May, 1952. The first music department head, and who was the entire department, was Prof. William Richard Waghorne. He inaugurated the Artist Course which was discontinued in 1957. In 1934 Prof. Iulien Paul Blitz became de- partment head. When World War II broke out Prof. Blitz spent weeks teach- ing his chorus class to march in forma- tion. Dr. Gene L. Hemmle succeeded Prof. Blitz as head of the department in 1949. He is assisted with a staff of 13. Tech's department of music has four main objectives: to educate teachers of music, to help each student obtain the skills and proficieneies of a strong mu- sician, and at the same time, through liberal arts course, the same sort of broad general education which is the intellectual foundation of the culti- vated man or woman, to develop talent to the highest degree of artistic capa- bilitiesg to help any student enrolled in the college acquire discriminating and sound critical judgment through courses in music supplemented by con- certs and through association with dis- tinguished teachers. The department of music is housed in a sound-proof air-conditioned build- ing erected in 1951. Within the department are many various activities and organizations, each contributing in various phases. Techis Opera Theater has staged 14 scenes from major operatic repertoire. The Tech Orchestra has not only served as an accompanying organiza- tion, but has presented outstanding concerts of orchestral works throughout the academic year. Texas Techis Band and Choral organizations have each toured West Texas and have presented numerous local appearances through- out the year. New in the department of music this year are the Tech Singers, the Tech Women's Chorus, the Tech Stage Band and the Tech Symphonic Winds. The Tech Men's Glee Club was reorganized during the past academic year. Also new within the department of Music is a music appreciation course designed specifically for non-music ma- jors. This course is Music Literature 131, 132 and has attracted considerable interest among the general students at Tech providing an opportunity for all students to become familiar with the great works in musical literature. Tech Choir Tech Choir, one of the busiest and most popular organizations on the Tech campus, consists of 44 members which come from all the different schools in the college. The personnel of the choir is selected after careful and extensive auditions. The aim of the choir is to provide an opportunity for a certain Gene L. Hemmle Music Head number of students to perform some of the great choral literature, as well as serve as an instrument of entertain- ment, personal relations and advertise- ment for Texas Tech. The schedule of the choir varies from year to year but basically the pattern is one which follows somewhat the same routine, appearing before local civic groups, at local churches and before student bodies of area high schools. Events of the choir this year have been presentation of the Faure Requiem with the Tech Singers and the Tech Orchestra, presentation of a series of sacred concerts featuring the great mas- terpieces, a nationally televised appear- ance, the 10th annual concert tour, and appearances with the band and orches- tra at the annual Tech Tymposium and Contemporary Music. The year was climaxed by the annual banquet and dance at the Caprock Hotel. The Texas Tech Choir Good loolts and talent fool 9

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The Tech Singers This year a new choral organization has been formed on campus, the Tech Singers. It has been found in the past that there were not enough choral or- ganizations on campus to satisfy the de- mands ol the many Tech students who desire to sing. The Singers were formed to offer another instrument for per- formance of great choral literature and to serve as a training choir for luture choir members. Their activities have been many and varied for a first year organization. The membership of 63 singers comes from the various schools in the college and most of their appearances this year have been in connection with the Tech Choir. As this organization grows in years it will be providing various pro- grams on its own in the immediate area of Lubbock. Tech Male Chorus Tech's Male Chorus has been formed alter a lapse of some eight years without such an organization on cam- pus. Although their activities have not been great this year it is felt that they have made much progress and will soon knit into an organization which will be in great demand throughout the area. Girls Glee Club The Girls Glee Club is new on cam- pus this year and has made some prog- ress toward providing another medium for performing great choral literature. It is felt as this choir continues to grow and to be recognized as a choral organ- ization on campus that it will find its place of service to the college and the Lubbock area. Maclrlgal Singers Tech's Madrigal Singers are ten young women and men selected from the personnel of the Tech Choir. They obtain their places in the organization after extensive auditions. This group fills a much needed gap in the educa- tion of music majors, singing literature from the early masters in authentic costumes. They have been in great de- mand in the area singing for music clubs and women's study groups. Music for thc 20-plus numbers in the Varsity Show were provided by the Tech Orchestra. It was the largest pit orchestra used in the annual affair. Songs were written by Gilbert and or- chestrated Aby Paul Ellsworth, orchestra director, and two Tech graduates, George Mellott and Gary Garner. I0 Madrigal Singers Knights of the Tech campus Men's Glee Club Boysl Only members can sit Girls' Glee Club Ladies! Ladiesl