Balmoral Hall School - Optima Anni Yearbook (Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada)

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THE CHOIR Though music has always played an important part in our school life, its role expanded this year. Four hymn numbers had to be found amid the usual noise every Wednesday morning. Friday Prayers were filled with music, and usually an anthem was sung for our frequent guest speakers. Music, as one of the universal means of communication, added its mean- ing to our morning worship. Mrs. Birse and Mrs. Belyea led the Choir through the Thanksgiving and Memorial Services. The Christmas Carol Service with the play directed by Mrs. Curnow, and the beautiful music, was a highlight of the Choir's year. We struggled hard with some rather difficult songs, but as usual, Mrs. Birse created something very beautiful. A second highlight came at the June Vesper Service when Handel's Hallelujah Chorus was a magnificent performance. l would like to thank the organists for their hard work throughout the year, but a special thanks to Mrs. Belyea and Mrs. Birse from the whole Choir for this wonderful experience they have given us. Catherine Campbell Choir Head BACK ROW, Left to Right: I. Cox, C. Rowed, B. Craig, N. Flintoft, S. McMurray, E. Roeder, P. Dangerfield, J. Rankin, C. Campbell, C. Cartledge, I. Lee, S. Hogman, N. Riley, I. Gattey, S. Kennedy, T. Stovel, S. MacDonald, J. Denmark. MIDDLE ROW: P. Sparrow, S, Beaton, L. Sirett, M. Johnson, G. Alexander, J. Villeneuve, D. Riley, L. Myers. J. McKinnon, B. Matthews, C. Templeton, H. McNichol, J. Campbell, J. Harrison, M. MacKay, E. Wilton, C. Lee, P. Smerchanski, M. Kendall. FRONT ROW: Mrs. W. Belyea, Organistg L. Willis, S. Everett, S. Litch, L. Johnston, L.F.g S. Wing, L. Owen, L. Murray, C. Baron, L. MacQuade, L. MacKenzie, J. Briggs, Mrs. D. Birse, Choir Director. 1

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Sarah's mind was in a daze and her frail shoulders shook as she sobbed. Her face was sore and the beautiful rose colour had been drained from her cheeks. The lights of a nearby town-house flicked on, and in a matter of a few minutes, the door creaked open. A short, plump figure stood silhouetted in the door- way. Sarah tried to force herself to her blistered feet and then to run, when a woman's gentle voice called out. Sarah's feeble limbs felt almost useless, although the gentle voice gave her more strength and helped to reassure her. She remembered little after that, for her mind seemed far away. However, this did not prevent her from knowing that these people were kind and would help her. During the next half hour she was reclothed given a hot drink and put into a warm, comfortable bed. Although she was not yet home, she felt less worried and her mind was clearer. The door was shut, excited children were hushed, and the room was left dark and silent. Her eyelids felt heavy and her lashes closed together as she drifted asleep. Iane Lawson, Form l First Prize Junior Short Story c.oui.o ae Q-lawn It mama B I . Z. --FT: ? I It 1 'I A PEBBLE There l lay on that pebbled shore With millions of others just like me. Mixed and mingled as common pebbles So no one was better than his fellow. This was my simple life Until Fate saw me, and picked me up To throw me upwards as hard as he could. l rose like a soaring eagle Up to the top of the clouds, To the peak of my life. The road upwards was fast and straight Following the path of my ambitions and hopes. l reached the clouds but could not stay for long Because they could not hold my weight. Slowly l fell through, leaving about me, Scattered remnants of floating clouds. My memories of the peak of my ambition. I fell gently as a feather down to Earth into a mirrored pool. l made a splash as I sunk, My mark of glistening ripples Ever fading until at last they died. As my memories died a lingering Death after I was gone. Now nothing is left to show That I was there. Donna Rogers, Form lll Honourable Mention Intermediate Poetry TR, 'rue BELLOQ 2. Loveel? YOLL

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lt was a fortunate year for Balmoral Hall rn 1957 when Mrs D J Blrse came to the school For eleven years, she has developed the musrc programme so that lf has become an rntegral part of school lrfe Our Chrrstmas SCIVICC, Vesper Servrce, Closrng EXCICISCS and Frrday morn mg Prayers are all the products of her dedrcated work She has made a tradrtron of rnusrcal servrces There rs nothmg greater than glvrng the glft of musrc and rts appreclatron to a person Mrs Brrse has rntroduced countless students to muslc and transmrtted her love for lt to us It 15 w1th affectlon and thanks that we say farewell to 1Lh1S lnvaluable person 4 o o u s o o u . . . . . : . o o n s