Central Wisconsin College - Valkyrie Yearbook (Scandanavia, WI)

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25 ,23 W e Zi! 35 MUSIC DEPARTMENT Music has been recognized by all nations of the civilized world as being very important both in times of peace and in times of War. This quotation, Music washes away from the soul the dust of every day,life, is a familiar one. Lively music helps us to start the day with enthusiasm, while the more sad and quiet type of music is resting to our souls and minds. Wie need diderent moods. There are all these kinds of music: marches, gavottes, valse caprices and so forth, usually in the major mode are pleasant companions for our happy hours, while slow ivaltzes and especially the old folk songs, seem to blend with our sad thoughts. Many beautiful poems have been written about music. Rus- kin says, A'Music is the nearest at hand, the most orderly, the most delicate, and the most perfect of all bodily pleasures. It is also the -only one which is equally helpful to all ages of manf' Another great Writer, Goethe, says about music, The effect of good music is not caused by novelty. On the contrary, it strikes us more the more we are familiar with it. Wle will all agree With this for all have experienced it. So much feeling may be put into music that it truly is, as Thackeray says, Uirresistibleg its charities are countlessg it stirs the feeling of love, peace and friendship as scarcely any other mortal agent canfl Music can noble hints impart, Engender fury, kindle love, VVith unsuspected eloquence, can move, And manage all the man with secret art. joseph Addison. The power of music was recognized and used during the vfar and it certainly helped the allies to Win. Rupert Hughes, in a letter to the Etude. said, 'There is nothing that helps the troops across the miles like music, nothing that cheers or solaces them more in camp, nothing that more vividly expresses glory and the rapture of sacrifice, and in ex- pressing it, rekindles it. The stirring war marches and patriotic songs inspired the boys with enthusiasm, urged them on and even made them forget their troubles and weariness. Not only did music cheer those at the front but it soothed those who had to stay at home, Worrying and waiting for the safe return of their dear ones. Samuel Gompers, organizer and President of the American Federation of Labor. also believed fully that music would help to win the war. This is what he said, Tn this war we are utiliz- ing more intelligently than ever before, the need and power of

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86 25 lmw f music. The war has stirred the very depths of life. through music we find relief in expressing emotions otherwise inarticu- late. Harmony of word and tone somehow draw us more close- ly together for the common ordeal. Music, whether for those serving at home or on the firing line, brings comfort and inspira- tion, it lifts the spirit above thebarbarity -of the fight and the materialism of the work into things of the spirit-the meaning of the struggle. Music will soothe and hearten us for the light that must be won-it will help us on to victory. These words have proven to be a correct prophecy. Central Wfisconsin College considers music as one of its important branches of work. Two music teachers are engaged. This year they are Miss Millie Grasby, who has charge of the instrumental and theoretical part of the work, and Mrs. H. C. Smeby, who is the vocal instructor. Last year Miss Grasby organized a girls' Glee Club of thir- ty-eight membersg a Girls' Quartette, composed of Karen- Wfhite, Thelma Leean, Margaret Bestul, and Edna Mastedg and a Male Quartette-Teddy Haines, Gustave Roalquam, Harlan Peterson and Phillip Hiller. They practiced earnestly during the winter months and gave the following concert at several of the neigh- boring towns: Moonlight Meadows Loves Qld Sweet Song Glaf Trygvassonn Cwith solo by Thelma Leeanj Girls' Glee Club Reading-Edith Anderson Canoe Song , Holy is His Name f'Amaryllis 'lPleecy Clouds Cwith violin obligato by Karen 'Whitej UGobble Duet Girls! Quartette The Brotherhood of Man' Send Gut Thy Light Soldiers Chorusy' Male Quartette Calm is the Nightl' XWelcome, Pretty Primrose f'Mosquito's Serenade VVhen Dawning Springtime Girls' Quartette God of all Nature 'fCalvary Song