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

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THE RADIO DEPARTMENT Most of the credit for the success of this department should go to the faculty. Mr. Winter, who comes to class in the middle of winter plowing through snow- drifts in his ice cream clothes, has spent many a weary hour in rehearsal and in class trying to teach his students what is right and what is wrong in radio. He directs all of the dramatic shows which the department presents on the air. To all of the students he is a fine teacher and an exceptionally swell friend. We now move on to Mr. Hickman — cigar and all. Many of the students do not have classes under Mr. Hickman as they are held at night. However, we must say that when you have gone through an evening class with him you know that you have been somewhere. His classes in advertising are interesting and educational as he has had much practical experience in the newspaper business. Mr. Hickman is a man who understands his students and helps them in every possible way. Mr. Brinsley has the radio writing class. Formerly employed by Station WIBC, he is an experienced script writer and is well fitted for his job. Last year the radio department, through the facilities of WIBC, gave a series of thirteen shows which had been written by Mr. Brinsley.

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provide a better bass than would Leyenberger ' s ' cello. If you want it to rise, throw in a leading tone. Slice with a sharp trombone and serve on a hot platter. Curious to know the results of this sort of a mixture?? — Then read on, dear reader, read on, for herein is presented the most choice tidbits which enter into the behind-the-scenes life of an orchestra member. DO YOU REMEMBER: Why you play this way, isn ' t it? — and Don ' t stop soon! (via F.S.) Th three B ' s in music — Bach, Beethoven, and Sowerby (Sour-bee) ? (via Pacini) . The mystery concerning the scanty attendance at sectional rehearsals during the first few days of spring. A very ticklish horn player furnished the solution — said, Mr. Z., it must be love! (via Jeanie G. — hmmmm, Y look who ' s talking!) Incidentally, Gail W. was appointed chief caretaker of J. G. — via Mr. Z! The question as to when Jim Noble and Jackie Mitchell would be giving their joint recital — and we don ' t mean on tuba and piano. (Vi-a, yes! what about this, J.M. and J.N.?) The conductor who in trying to explain to the violins just how he wanted a tremolo played said, just put your head down and then wiggle! The difficult program at the Butler Fieldhouse in conjunction with the President ' s Birthday Ball? The difficult part about it was sitting there for four hours. Tschaikowsky now has a theme song — No one ever works here but Father. (via Pacini). And do you remember the night Jim Noble became overly enthusiastic, be- cause at last, the orchestra was to rehearse a number which included a part for tuba in the orchestration? We started playing and Jim began counting out the rest measures — 7-2-3-4, 2-2-3-4, 3-2-3-4, and so on into the night. The orches- tra played on, making crescendos and diminuendos, playing whole notes, half notes, blue notes, sour notes, and above it all could be heard the voice of deter- mination counting, 95-2-3-4, 96-2-3-4, 97-2-3-4! And now only four more measures until time for the double fortissimo at the end of the first movement — two measures to go — Jim was set for the kdl — one measure, and now — LET ' EM HAVE IT!! BAROOOM! A thunderous volley came from the lower extremities of the tuba. It was a wonderful fortissimo — well controlled, full, and resonant, but alas! Why all the laughter? Why the quizzical over the spectacles look from the maestro? — In the excitement of the moment Jim hadn ' t noticed that the orchestra had stopped playing a measure before his entrance and his sfz had exploded right in the mid- dle of Sevitzky ' s lecture to the strings on the art of playing pianissimo.

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The success of this department also has been stimulated by the fact that many of its former members have gone into radio stations to carry full-time commercial jobs. Harold Modlin left Jordan last March to take a full-time announcing job at WLBC, Muncie, Indiana and is now Acting Production Manager. Bill Landrum has been with WIBC about six months and is showing possibili- ties of a great future in the field of radio. Ward Glenn began his radio work at WIBC, where he served in the capacity of musical director. Mr. Glenn now is at WOWO, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Harold Cook, former member of the night radio classes, is full-time announcer and is in charge of newscasts and special shows for WEBQ, Harrisbvirg, Illinois. First-Class Private John Robbins, stationed at Camp Shelby, Mississippi, is a former member of the night radio classes. He is a member of the 113th Engineers Band and occasionally appears as soloist with this organization on their weekly broad- casts over WHAS, Louisville, Kentucky. The radio department not only is sending its members into the radio industry but also is represented in the Armed Forces of our country. On land we have Jack Arnold, Ralph Martz, and John Robbins. Jack was a member of the department last year. He enlisted in the army in June of 1941, and the last reports were that he was stationed somewhere in Texas. Ralph Martz, assistant in the department, was connected with the dramatic side of productions. He taught History of the Theatre and worked with Mr. Winter in the dramatic productions of Thespis at Butler. Mr. Martz enlisted in the ground school of the Air Corps and was sent to Fort Wayne, Indiana. As has been mentioned previously, John Robbins is sta- tioned at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. In the air we have Bud Stone and Robert Lett. Although Bud was in the radio department but a short time we nevertheless claim him as one of our promis- ing students. Bud is now stationed at Maxwell Field, Alabama. Robert Lett of Danville, Indiana, and former member of the night radio classes is now flying a bomber for the United States Army. His location is unknown. On the sea we have the pride and joy of the radio department. Somewhere on the Pacific aboard the USS CHESTER is Ensign Morris Hendricks, better known as Morry. Although Morry taught here but a short while, he was one of the finest teachers the conservatory has ever had. (Just ask any of the student body that knew him and they will tell you.) A typical sight during a production was Morry with his coat off, his sleeves rolled up, and his hat on the back of his head. Morry was always sympathetic and understanding with his students and fellow workers. So understanding in fact, that when a certain member of the radio faculty needed a haircut, Morry dug down into his own pocket and gave him the money for it! He was a capable instructor, a grand fellow, and a good friend. The radio department of Jordan stands by the old saying, small bvit mighty. This year the department has gained considerable recognition in the city for its ability to produce dramatic shows, a number of which have been presented over Stations WIRE, WIBC, and WISH. LEAFING THROUGH THE LOGS, a review of the records of America ' s first line of defense — the men and ships that have made and make up the United States Navy, has been a weekly presentation over WIRE. The department has given programs at Billings General Hospital and the Induction Center at Fort Harrison, at Sunnyside Sanatorium, at various churches in the city, before fraternities and sororities, the Women ' s Departmental Club, and the Daughters of the American Revolution. The Radio Department of Jordan Conservatory wishes all of its present and former members the best of luck and good wishes. Our department will KEEP ' EM ROLLING, KEEP ' EM FIGHTING, AND KEEP ' EM FLOATING.