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

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PAUL ELLSWORTH GENE KENNEY ' DEAN KILLION Tech Symphony Choral Organizations Band Director and developing your talents in this direction. The Tech Symphony Or- chestra is the largest orchestral en- semble in the department. Directed by Paul Ellsworth, the Symphony sets as its goal each year a major work with the chorus, an opera with the Tech Opera Theatre, and several orchestral concerts on campus as well. The Bruckner Te Deum was the choral work performed this year. The Tech Opera Theatre, directed by Charles Lawrie, has presented several entire operas, and completed acts and shorter scenes from 40 or more differ- ent operas. Most of the works are presented in English, with an occa- sional one done in its original lan- guage for variety and added learning. Small chamber music ensembles in- clude two String Quartets, a Brass Quartet, Brass Sextet, Woodwind Quintet, and Piano Ensemble. The Department Music Education is stressed at Tech and the music department is well known over the state and the South- west for its excellent teachers, choir directors and band directors. Every type of musicianship from elementary school teaching to orchestral and choral direction is taught by the pro- fessors in the department, most of whom are nationally and interna- tionally known. Housed in one of the finest music buildings in the Sou t h w e s t and headed by Dr. Gene L. Hemmle, the department of music has more than tripled its size, both in teachers and students, in the last nine years and has been a member of the selective National Association of Schools of Music since 1959. A knowledge of music is an essen- tial ingredient in every cultured, well- rounded person and this education is the department ' s primary aim. SYMPHONIC SHOWPIECE Tech ' s Symphony Orchestra 17

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by Julia Kooken Like music? Perhaps you plan to become a concert pianist or would like to try your luck at singing. If you would like to teach the great art of music, the Texas Tech department of music can prepare you for any field you choose. Take a look at the organizations that make up the partment. Tech Choir If you like to sing, either for fun or a career, these choirs are open to you Gene Kenney ' s pride and joy, the Tech Choir, is made up of 57 of the finest voices at Tech, both men and women. As the official touring choral group, the Choir sings ly in Lubbock, West Texas, and the state. Each spring it makes an tended tour of the state, this year touring southern Texas and stopping in Austin to sing for the Texas House of Representatives, in Houston for a performance with the Dartmouth College Glee Club, and many smaller towns in between. The Choir spreads inestimable good will for Tech all year wherever it goes. GENE HEMMLE Department Head Madrigal Singers The Madrigal Singers are a special group selected from the Choir and trained in a slightly different toire in addition to their Choir work. They are costumed in colorful bethan style and concentrate on music of that p e r i o d—madrigals, motets, and folk songs. They are a regular feature at Hemphill-Wells department store at Christmas, among their many other featured ances. The Singers, a slightly larger group than the Choir, is primarily used to train voices for the Choir, although they give many performances of their own. Choir and Singers give a joint performance at the Tech Symposium of contemporary music each year and at least one other important concert during the school year; the Brahams Requiem being performed this year. Men ' s Glee Club Students in Men ' s Glee Club and Women ' s Chorus sing both for fun and experience. They are feeder choirs for both Tech Choir and Singers, and collaborate with the two larger groups for numbers such as the Verdi Stabat Mater on occasion. Gene Kenney is director and co-ordinator of all these choirs. Symphony Orchestra If you prefer an instrument, there are ample opportunities for expressing 16

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TECH VOICES Upper left: Girls ' Glee Club Upper right: Tech ' s Madrigal Singers Center: Tech Choir Lower left: Tech Singers Lower right: Men ' s Glee Club