Bradford Academy - Chimes Yearbook (Haverhill, MA)

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Q iw f X x -.10 i 13,-'22 X A i E ag., M g -. gl.-':.rvJ x 'T i-Vll Qui 'I I ,. I I ll ' 'B fl I L J- 7- f mg f - . . f ' 0 I ' : - g gi W Y - I is ' ' ' if 1' 4' H i' 1 1 F W J,lti'1'J'li1'i IT 1,1 Ill II- 'SQZIJA i- I -1 ,J FLT I -FF-Eli 12 E twig., Mucucm ctusf FF ' P The Leonora Society 1887-1903 OFFICERS ISADORE CHASE LULL . . . . P7'6XZ'lfE77f ANNE Macom BER Vfre Prf5z'rz'fm' GERTRUDE CHILDS . . . Trmma-er T is to Professor Samuel W. Downs that the prosperous Leonora Society of today owes its birth. For sixteen years this has been the leading musical society at the Academy, and not less successfully will the work of 1902-3 be counted by future members. In 1887 Professor Downs founded the society, which he decided to name the Leonora, the only one in America, by the way, bearing this name. The char- acter Leonora is the heroine of Beethoven's great opera, Fidelio. The opera is well known as a masterpiece, and Professor Downs thought that by using the name of so great a character as Leonora, the girls would thus be incited to high aims. I-lis plan was to make this society the nucleus of the best voices in school, and to have the girls learn music which would be appropriate upon all occasions. The first president was Miss Alice Huntington. Always Professor Downs worked with untiring zeal, and on account of his great enthusiasm he inspired the girls to put forth their best efforts. He gave as careful attention to the entire body of girls as he did to his individual pupils. In September of 1902, on account of the great increase in numbers in the department of music, Professor Downs was obliged to give up the vocal work. His successor in this department was Madame Isadora Martinez, who thus took

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38 THE CHIMES Last year our society became a sub-chapter of the Denison College Settlement House in Boston. Our sub-chapter was represented so well at the reception this Spring, and many of the girls manifested such interest in the work, that we have organized at committee to keep in closer touch with Denison House. All that has been accomplished is clue entirely to the ready responsiveness of the members of the Christian Union. Without their generosity, nothing could have been done. No case has been presented to them to which they have not been willing and eager to give their aid.

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40 THE CHIMES charge of the Leonora. Here again we have been most fortunate in having a conductor who is thoroughly capable and interested in the girls. Certainly 1902-3 has been a successful year for us. This year the society is composed of thirty girls, showing quite an increase in numbers. Among pieces which we have learned during the year are, for religious music, The Lord's Prayer, f'In Heavenly Love Abiding, Come Unto Me, and the f'Largo'75 for lighter music, Annie Laurieji A Spring Song, and one of Schubert's waltz songs. Rehearsals are held every Friday morning after chapel. Every june during the sixteen years that the society has been in' existence, a concert has been given on the Tuesday evening of Commencement week, the girls singing a cantata and part songs. We have sung also during this year at Madame Martinez's recitals, and upon TAlumnae Day. May there be many more years in store for the Leonora Society as happy and successful as this past one has been. Wil?