Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music - Opus Yearbook (Indianapolis, IN)

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THE GONDOLIERS By Gilbert and Sullivan The success of The Gondoliers, the first performance of the Jordan Civic Operetta Guild, has made Indianapolis theatre-goers cognizant of the fact that there is plenty of good local talent in the field of music and dramatics. Rehearsals began early in October. Everyone in the cast gave up personal activities in order to attend hours of rehearsals, but all were sorry when the final curtain dropped on the eighteenth of April. Charles Hedley, chairman of the Conservatory voice department, founded the Jordon Civic Operetta Guild, and directed as well as appeared in The Gondoliers. The story is concerned with two handsome Gondoliers, both of whom have just taken brides. One of the two is supposed to be the lost King of Barataria, married in infancy to the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Plaza-Toro. While the rightful king and queen is being discovered a lot of fun is had by all. The cast and performers included the following people: Duke of Plaza-Toro, Carroll Reynolds; Luiz, Lloyd Patten; Don Alhambra del Bolero, Louis Candedo; Marco Palmieri, Charles Hedley; Giuseppe Palmieri, John Phillips; Antonio, Ralph Leonard; Francesco, John Hener; Giorgio, Theodore Rolf; Annibale, Alan Ham- blen; The Duchess of Plaza-Toro, Irma Brady; Casilda Plaza-Toro, Mary Esther Guidone; Gianetta, Carol Geisler; Tessa, Lillie Shaw; Fiametta, Caroline Battin; Bittoria, Dorene Stephens; and Inez, Frances Brinkman. Gondoliers and peasant girls were portrayed by Roberta Asa, Mary Anne Beaumont, Ralph Broke, Bernice Butler, Frederick Ferree, Jack Henry, Rose Houk, Frank Jackson, Joe Jordan, Rosalie Kellermeyer, Bettie Long, Gloria Monninger, Nancy Morrison, Edward Payne, Robert Ramsey, Martha Rose Spaulding, Jacqueline Sundt and Martha Thompson.

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outstanding sunrise service with our own Mr. Lautner directing the early morning risers. Afterwards, while elbowing my way through the seething mass of people, I heard many complimentary remarks concerning the choir: I didn ' t know such a small group of singers — there could hardly be more than thirty — could work up such great volume. Yes, and so clear and musical, too. And elsewhere in the crowd: I heard every word the choir sang and I was way back, too! Did Mr. Lautner organize that wonderful choir? Later the same day the choir was again scheduled to sing — this time for the Christian Men Builders ' Bible Class at the Zaring Theatre. This perfoiTnance was also broadcast. One of the men backstage at the theatre whispered to me that they looked forward to this program every year. He had been out in the audience part of the time and remarked to me later that he had never seen such a beautiful pic- ture. The choir, again in their royal purple and golden robes, stood in the center of the small stage, while on either side of them were banks of green foliage. A soft red light trained upon them from the footlights reflected against a shim- mering grey curtain background. Philharmonic Choir life is brilliant and varied, don ' t you agree? It leads from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again. We sincerely hope that this worthy organization will continue to strive towards higher and higher fields of musical endeavor remaining an institution of musical perfection which we at A. J. C. rightly can be proud to acclaim.

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ik THE CONSERVATORY ORCHESTRA Dr. Fabien Sevitzky Director of Orchestra Department THE CONSERVATORY ORCHESTRA The metallic tapping of a baton against the conductor ' s stand could be heard above the chatter and laughter that filled the room. Eighty-five young musicians hurried to their seats. There was a moment of complete silence as the conductor looked about the orchestra, as though trying to distinguish between the many new and old faces that greeted him, and then — Good evening. Yes, it was Dr. Sevitzky back again to conduct the Jordan Conservatory Orchestra. The first rehearsal of the year always is an event to which both old and new members look forward. To the old it means the beginning of another year of in- tense but enjoyable and worthwhile rehearsal and study of the best in past and present-day orchestral literature. To the new perhaps it is their first opportunity to play in an orchestra of full symphonic proportions. To all, both old and new members, it means contact and friendly association with others of hke interests and ambitions. As in former years the full orchestra was scheduled to rehearse on Monday eve- nings and sectional rehearsals were to be held on Wednesday and Thursday after-