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

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TECH CHOIR Combines concerts and tours. • GIRLS ' GLEE CLUB Two years old and popular MALE GLEE CLUB Performs with chorus. TECH SINGERS Step below the Choir. 20

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• TEXAS TECH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Orchestral showpiece. Symphony Orchestra The Tech Symphony Orchestra is a group of musicians made up from the general stu- dent body not only music majors but those from all schools of the college. The orches- tra aids the Tech Opera Theater and the Tech Choir in the production of major works. In addition to the Tech Symphony Or- chestra, there are several other active groups. The Tech String Sinfonietta has presented numerous concerts in the Lubbock Public Schools, and two string quartets perform as part of the Symposium of Contemporary Music which is an annual highlight at Texas Tech. The Tech Choir concludes its year ' s activities with its annual appearance on the Tech Contemporary Symposium. Madrigal Singers. The Madrigal Sing- ers are a select group of six women and four men taken from the ranks of the Tech Choir who perform chamber music of vocal and choral art. The Madrigals are in constant demand for appearances before clubs and organizations with small membership. One of the high- lights of the season is their appearance at various business establishments in Lubbock during the Christmas season dressed in au- thentic costumes of the sixteenth century and singing carols both old and new. The repertoire of the singers consists of madrigals of the sixteenth and seventeenth century as well as contemporary works which lend themselves to performance by a small vocal group. Tech Choir. The Tech Choir was first organized in the fall of 1949, under the di- rection of Dr. Gene Hemmle, now head of the Tech Music Department and is com- posed of 48 highly selected voices chosen from students throughout the college. The Choir appeared at the opening con- vocation for Tech students, at the Tech Recognition Service, during Religious Em- phasis Week, as well as for numerous civic clubs which meet in the Lubbock commu- nity area. The Choir participated in a scholarship show for the Chamber of Com- merce and the District Rotary Convention and has performed with the Tech Symphony and the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. In early April the Tech Choir toured the Per- mian Basin in Southwest Texas. Women ' s Chorus. Another new addi- tion, the womens ' chorus was founded in 1959 during the spring semester. As the or- ganization grows in musical maturity it will make more and more appearances in the Lubbock community and will be another musical outlet for the many students on the Tech campus. Male Glee Club. After many years, Tech once again has a Male Glee Club now in its second year. Due to lack of personnel and a very limited rehearsal schedule, this organization has been unable to appear by itself but has joined forces with the chorus in the major presentations of the year. Tech Singers. This is a group of some 75 singers and serves as a feeder group to the Tech Choir. Likewise, this group is com- posed of students from throughout the en- tire Tech student body. The group was first organized in 1958 by its present conductor Gene Kenney and joins forces with the Tech Choir on several occasion. MADRIGAL SINGERS Perform in authentic costumes. . . l.» GENE KENNEY Man of voices. 19

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MU PHI EPSILON Music Sorority On November 13, 1903, an organization was founded that grew to have a tremendous effect on the music world. The Metropoli- tan College of Music in Cincinnati was the location for the origin of what evolved into the nation ' s outstanding professional music sorority — Mu Phi Epsilon. Professor Win- throp S. Sterling, dean of the college, and Elizabeth Mathias, faculty member, estab- lished the sorority so that women would have a comparable organization to Phi Mu Alpha (Sinfonia), music fraternity for men. By 1958 the sorority had grown to 78 col- legiate chapters and 61 alumnae chapters. It is a great honor to any college and to the women music majors of that college to be chosen worthy of the establishment of a chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. Texas Tech received this sort of reward when the Epsi- lon Pi chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon was formed in 1952. It brought the much de- served official recognition to those women who had proven themselves superior in both scholarship and musical ability. A girl must have a 2.0 the preceding semester to pledge. Members of Mu Phi Epsilon have high qualifications and an unques- tionable character. Musical activities. Musically minded girls find several benefits in belonging to a professional music sorority. Exchanging new ideas and working on projects of mu- tual interest helps to promote a friendship within the sisterhood. Music in America is constantly being investigated and improved by these talented girls. Each girl is en- couraged to support all worthwhile musical productions and is asked to participate in solo creative efforts and performances. Local projects which correspond to the ideals set forth by the national chapter are current in Epsilon Pi Chapter. Activities range from the social realm to the actual presentation of concerts. During this year, service has taken a more prominent posi- tion in the organization ' s numerous events. Members give freely of their time to usher at all of the music department ' s produc- tions. Welcoming committee. In the early fall the social element reigns supreme and a red carpet greeting is the lavish treat- ment given to all incoming freshman music majors. A welcoming tea is the highlight of these activities. But, of course, the mem- bers spend a majority of their efforts in strictly musical presentations. Tech ' s Mu Phi Epsilonians were seen performing a chorus for opera and theater productions. The spring ' s activities boosted a piano en- semble concert. The national projects which are carried out by all collegiate and alumnae chapters have a rich and historical purpose to each of them. Perhaps most of the service of these chapters is directed toward helping Mu Phi Epsilon School of Music located at Cads Hill Center, Chicago, 111. Individual chapters do volunteer work to provide the necessary finances for scholarships which are granted for the study of music therapy; al so, some chapters contribute to the work of music for the blind. Other national projects include obtaining music for the youth of Japan and the sponsoring of a contest to pick the best original composition. Officers Betty Townsend President Dorothy Pijan Vice President Gracie Russell Treasurer Kathleen La Mar . . Recording Secretary Sue Dixon . . . Corresponding Secretary Karen Frack Historian Mrs. Carole Hester, Mrs. Marjorie Magness Sponsors nnmnn L. Beene, D. Blake, P. Buckley, S. Dixon, D. Dorset, K. Frack, J. Harper J. Henry, K. Hoelscher, K. La Mar, D. Pijan, G. Russell, N. Russell 21