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

Page 30 text:

BENJAMIN HARRISON DORM NEWS It is a dark, stormy night. Benjie Harrison is taking his usual midnight walk in the halls of his former home. Now it happens that the home is now occupied by 1 8 girls and their housemother, Mrs. Woodie. We of the Harrison HomiC don ' t think much about Benjie — we are too absorbed in our work — but at times we do feel his presence ver strongly. If Benjie should walk into the basement room of his home in which live Maxine Jack, Collene Phillips, and Marilyn Fisher, he would probably find furniture in the middle of the floor, clothes in a bunch on the bed, and the rug in a heap, for these girls, like all women, are fond of rearranging their rooms. As he ambulates up the stairs he would no doubt smell bacon frying, for Mrs. Woodie is probably preparing breakfast in her sleep for 18 hungry girls. Going still farther up the stairs he would spy one dozen roses on Alice Jean Fisher ' s dresser. (Wonder who sends them?) Peg Warner ' s faithful fiddle would be lying out waiting for her magic hands to pick it up. Going into the room next door, he would find Muriel Oeth studying her Fugue ( fudge she calls it) and newcomer Helen Utley dubbed Ut by her classmates. Coming down the hall he would hear the melodious strains of a ' cello from Mary Alice Dilling ' s room, but her roommate, Martha Shannon is probably visiting Muriel per usual. Benjie would certainly make it a point to visit the room of Dorothy Steinert, Rowena Lackey and Edythe Mae Brizius for the peels of laughter given forth there are inviting to anyone. [28]

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Budapest String Quartet was in Indianapolis, Mischa Schneider, the ' celHst of the quartet and Ernest Krenek, composer, came to Jordan and cheerfully sub- mitted themselves to our many questions. Mr. Schneider answered some ques- tions of the problems of the string instrument players. Mr. Krenek explained his quartet which was played for the first time here in Indianapolis. Doctor Stith Thompson talked to us on Indiana folk music. He played several record- ings to illustrate the kinds of folk music and the different ways in which it can be presented. Music in the church was discussed by John Milton Kelly, who explained the projects now under way to promote better music in the church. We found that he knew his business when he sang several sacred numbers for us. Then, there were the speakers who correlated music and other subjects. Mrs. Alice Wesenberg, professor at Butler University, gave a very interesting dis- cussion on The Relationship of Music and Poetry. She read several fine poems to us. Butler was again represented by Dean Shelton who spoke on Music and Religion. We enjoyed the discussion on drama and music, given by Doctor Harrison from Butler University. These comparisons helped us to realize that music is not an isolated art, but is present in many phases of life. The students of Jordan were well represented in our convocations this year. The voice department gave several programs, as well as the piano, instrumental, and ensemble departments. It was very interesting to hear what other students at Jordan are doing. Oh, yes, we musn ' t forget the memorable occasion when the entire convocation blended their voices to sing Verdi ' s Requiem. Even though it was a little shaky in places, we had a lot of fun. Some of the numbers we particularly enjoyed were the original composition of Mr. Beldon Leonard, played by the woodwind quintet, the Brahms Horn trio, and Bach concerto for three pianos. The theory department sponsored a program of original compositions of members of the student body. This opportunity to he ar our fellow students perform and to be able to do so ourselves is one which we think is well worth while, and we hope that it will be continued next year. Each convocation this year has been one of the highlights of the week. May we extend our vote of thanks to Mr. Lautner, who certainly succeeded in making the programs most interesting and varied. [27]

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Harrison Home — Fro7tr row: Roivena Lackey and Billie Cole. Second Row: Edith Briziiis, Elaine Brown, Peggy Warner, Elsie Ruth Ycring, Dorothy Steinert, Collene Phillips, Waneta Reed, Mary Fekete. Third Row: Rose Rohner, Maxine Jack, Helen Drees, Dorothy Sorg, Helen Utley, Muriel Oeth, Martha Shannon. Still farther down the hall he would run into his old friend Dorothy Sor , who is this year rooming with Billie Cole. Dorothy is much more willing to meet Benjie ' s ghost than last year. The big freshman room is this year holding Mary Fekete, Helen Drees, Elaine Brown, and Elsie Ruth Young, who are looking forward to his visit. It is now dawn and Benjie must make his way homeward, but he is keeping in mind the busy and eventful lives of the girls at 1228. [29]