Battin High School - Red and White Yearbook (Elizabeth, NJ)

Page 27 text:

f 1 r ' 4: 30 P.M. Pao 5: 30 4P.M. 7:00 P.M. ln 6:00 PM

Page 26 text:

T 3: go P. M. QW-, 15.M. SENIOR 1:00 A.M. 8:00 P. M.

Page 28 text:

1. Qs., It was the day we had all been waiting for and working for. We would have our chance. One chance, that was all. It was the day of the try-outs for the All-State Band. I made my way through the crowds of anxious high school students to the desk with the neatly printed sign saying: Flutes, Oboesg Bass, Alto, and E flat Clarinets. I received my score sheet and number. I would be the fourteenth Hutist to try out. Oh, how could I wait that long? In the warm-up room, I saw many familiar faces. Dot, Carol, Iohnny, and I had been the flute section in the 1949 All-State Orchestra. I shall never forget Iohnny's piccolo solo and his expert flute playing. I had often wondered how I had captured third seat, while he was only fourth. Now we were each trying for a place again in the All-State Band. I could scarcely hear myself play, let alone think, in the warm-up room. All candidates, as we were impersonally called, were nervously replaying the scales and solos that we had practiced daily for the past months in preparation for this momentous day. Iohnny looked at me. I smiled, but he was intent on his music. I saw in his pocket the same solo that I was to play and knew then that he had made the same selection. A few scales later, I crossed the room and aslgd, Are you playing Mozart's Second Concerto, too? His mouth widened into a grin as he said he was. ' I waited outside in the hall. An atmosphere of anxiety enveloped us all. We experienced nervous giggles, icy Engers, and depressing feelings. I drew closer to the door to listen. johnny was inside, playing our concerto as I had never heard it played before. I felt good for him, but doubtful of myself. I wandered aimlessly down the corridor. At the corner, a boy with a stern, freckled face ordered me to my portion of the hall. He was obvi- ously proud of his responsible duty. I took my time in returning as the sparkling fountain was a temptation. I found Iohnny closing the door to the try-out room. His whole being, limp with fatigue, told his story. I saw the deep hurt in his eyes and drawn look on his face. He said only four words: I didn't make it.