University of Wisconsin Madison - Badger Yearbook (Madison, WI)

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M USIC Emmett Sarig, acting director of the band. The low notes of the orchestral the very near future, a practical final exam can be recorded and sent to the Music School for a grade. Indeed, the coming 100 years may hold much for the Music School. Graduates of the Music School find it possible to go into more fields than orchestration and teaching. Other fields open to Music School graduates include vocal and orchestral arranging, professional recorders, and musical therapy. The phases of the Music School most familiar to students are the University Bands, directed by Prof. Raymond F. Dvorak. The Concert Band, The First Regimental Band, and The Second Regimental Band make up the bands as we know them. It was in 1886 when 16 people under the leadership of C. M. Williams constituted the Wisconsin Battalion Band. Since that autumn day, many thousands of students, representing every department of the University, have been members of the band. Lawyers, engineers, doc- tors all are counted among the band personnel. In 1935, at the band ' s 50th anniversary, a former mem- ber of the band. Judge John Kael, told of his unusual experi- ence of ' parading around the Capitol square playing on my dish pan (snare drum), and then returning to the lower campus where I removed my band uniform which I had over my football suit and played in a game of football. The band ' s approximately 60 members in the year 1915 under the direction of Charles A. Mann. ' 69, had the honor and pleasure of traveling to the Panama National Exposition at San Francisco. In 1940 over half of the membership of this famous group returned to Madison for the 25th anni- versary of the trip and took up instruments again to play under Charlie ' s baton. The original purpose of organizing the band was that of service. The need of music was obvious as a stimulus to school spirit and a source of entertainment for students. In 1920 the value of the band was proven. A football game between Wisconsin and Illinois was set to be played on the Illinois home field. The team arrived safe and sound, but the band missed its train. A later one was taken, and the band arrived at the field at the end of the first half, with the score 7-0 in favor of Illinois. The band played a most speeded-up On Wisconsin and There ' ll Be a Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight, and shortly after the start of the second half, two touchdowns were scored. In the last quarter, the team scored a field goal. ! Richard Church, director of the concert orchestra. The orcheitra ' s fine brass section.

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School of Music It was fifty years ago, January 15, W , that the Music Department became the School of Music. The department hat! been organized IS years before, anii with its gradual development, a music school was found desirable. The first director of the school was Prof. F. . . Parker, who with a violin instructor, and a banjo, mandolin, and guitar instruc- tor, composed the first faculty. ( harlcs Henry Mills came to Wisconsin from the Royal College of Organists in London. From 19U until his death in 1 37 he was the very poular and well-liked director of the School of Music. Professor Mills received a B.M. degree from the University of Edinburgh and a Mus. D. from -McGill University. Mills Library in Music Hall, a very complete collection of records and books, was named in his honor. The goal of music students before 1915 was a simple certificate, awarded alter a two-year cour.se in music. In that year the course was changed to one of four years, and the ne.xt, 1916, the first bachelor degree was awarded to Helen Piper Law. The first master ' s degree was granted in 1924 to . lice Bodell, who now teaches music at the Pittsburgh College for Women. The expansion of the Nfusic School further proves the school ' s growth. The Music School Annex on Park Street was at one time a sorority house. Now, blasts of horns and violin strains reach the ears of passers-by instead ot a serenade. Further growth was shown in 1938 when the school took over its present library quarters. The 190 students now enrolled in the four-year course, plus people working on their master ' s and Ph.D. ' s, make a full time job for 26 staff members and more graduate and student assistants. Prof. Leland Coon is the present director of the Music School. When the first string quartet in residence at an Ameri- can university, the Pro . rte quartet, came to Wisconsin in 1940, we could truly say that something new has been added. Innumerable opportunities are provided for the students by the presence of this nationally known group. A joint association with the University ' s Extension groups came in 1946. More cooperation between the University and its E.xtensions in the field of music was the result. Ofl- campus appearances were arranged more than ever. In 1947, music courses were started at the Extensions. Perhaps in Dr. Charles H. Mills, a musical inspiration to many students. I ' m Arte (,)uartet: Raliier, Milotsky, l- ' riedlander, and Knliscli. Gunnar Johansen, noted faculty pianist. .MiiNie Hall, scene ot more than econ lectures!

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M USIC i»j. v The present day band acc ompanied the football team on one traveling trip a year, and with special permission, per- haps others. One of the more unusual features ol the Uni- versity band is the harmony-singing on the march. The Wisconsin band is one of the few to have four-part harmony. In 1V30 the old Swiss skill of flag-swinging was introduced. Not only was this new to the band but to the country as well. This has since been discontinued here, but it has become quite popular throughout the United States. Though participation in the band involves time for prac- tice and rehearsals, it is interesting to note that the average grade-point for the members of the Concert Band is well over 2.0 and that of the combined bands is over 1.5. The University of Wisconsin Band has had, for the last 12 years, a weekly program, sfKjnsored by the Public Re- lations Department of the University. This program, now heard over 42 radio stations, reaches, more than does any other university band in the country, every person in the state. In this centennial year, the spirit of the band all the more emanates the spirit of the school. The famous Paul Bunyan drum is represented by a miniature as a centennial souvenir. This drum, which is 19 feet in circumference, was presented by the Elks of Appleton in 1925, for the 50th anniversary celebration. It is supposed to be Paul ' s snare drum, on which he beat with two pine trees. The band spirit is seen by the Christmas cards which they pose for and have printed for their own use. The classes arc friendly and close. The boys are together as a body behind the team, win or lose. They are on the practice field at the same time that the football squad is going through its practice routine, and can always be counted on for a cheer for the boys on the team. On April 14, 1948, the train on which Professor Dvorak was traveling to Enid, Okla. (to judge a music contest), was involved in an accident, and Professor Dvorak was seriously injured. On the 15th, as he lay in the hospital, he was being remembered by his boys who had gotten to- gether and were making a Get-Well-Quick record for Pro- fessor Dvorak with many of his favorite pieces. This is the spirit! Tlie band, the marches after the foot- ball games with the hats turned backwards, the formations on the field, and above all, Wisconsin ' s own Varsity . . . these are Wisconsin, these are the Band. ij- IL Marching band smiles for a winning team. Prof. Leland Coon, director of the School of Music Band of 1914, led by Capt. Mann. The famous Paul Bunyan drum.