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

Page 31 text:

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

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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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AIKI S HOUSE Only the sound architectural structure of Aikin's House prevented the fifteen residing boarders from causing it to collapse this year. At 7:44 each morning, the sophisticated twelves leaped from bed, scrambled into uni- forms and made record-breaking sprints to the dining room. A circus-like atmosphere pre- vailed during the day, activity centering around the sign-out book and phone, and chaos heightened to a peak one minute be- fore bedtime. Once calmed by appointed monitors, the residence was silent for the night, except for the occasional midnight homework-doer or nightmare-frightened screamer. As Head of Residence and acting as mother to the flock, Shirley spent her year making lists, sleuthing and competing with Jean, Judy and Betsey for the use of the phone. Talking alternating sentences on Dalton's lower floor, Eileen, Betsey and Jean bravely endured the harsh punishments that only forms 1-3 could devise. Bonnie spent her year, rain or shine, trying for a Califor- nia-style tang Pam, too, challenged the ultra- violet rays but restricted her attempts to sun- ny days. Cath and diets were synonomous - to see her with a grapefruit was to see her content. Cynthea kept the girls guessing when she slyly reverted to her native tongue. Wendy, our hairdresser, kept the residence hair beautiful and her own blonde locks in curlers most of the time, Running at least an hour behind schedule, Donna, usually dripping wet, managed to find time to create a great many commotions. Laura, talking ceaselessly, and Joan, in the midst of pack- ing for the weekend, were the coffee half- hour regularsg Marg and Anne formed a card- playing club for study hours. The world will certainly be a lively place when Aikin's empties its inhabitants into the great outdoors! 'ia--4,53