High School of Commerce - Caduceus Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

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The High School of Commerce Music Festival MUSIC INVIGORATING Few of us realize that over one-third of the students here in Com: merce participate in our Music Department. The Freshman Chorus numbers about 130 girls; the Advanced Glee Club, 110; the Girls’ Special Choir, 35; and the remainder of the musically-minded perform in the Orchestra. Many of the pleasures of school life would certainly be lacking if it were not for the annual Music Festival and for the music provided at the various assemblies. Any student who has tried to march into the Assembly Hall when the orchestra was absent will testify how much the music contributes to the atmosphere of the gathering. The unique phase concerning this orchestra is that the majority of the members have learned to play their instrument here in school under Dr. Viggiano. That these students wholeheartedly enjoy their music is conveyed in the following comments by trumpeter Jean Kirk: “During the first period on the Monday program, every musician pools his efforts to overcome the first obstacles of the music score. The members play many different instruments with varied abilities. Their attitudes toward the orchestra usually depend upon their mood and their instrument’s mood. But despite changing moods, rehearsals generally are successful, owing to the self-confidence of the players when an audience is not present. “A few old-faithfuls always manage to turn out a good performance. Vivian Jeffery, clever clarinetist, is one. Her perseverance in her private lessons probably accounts for Vivian’s skill. (Dr. Viggiano advocates private lessons for each orchestra member, but only a few can take them.) Another true artist is the concert-mistress, Arax Charkoudian, violinist.” Commerce All-Girl Orchestra LOWER RIGHT—Vivian Jeffery, clarinetist. [ 24 ]

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a Ba ERT OE AG oe tai mee a Clothing Class in 115 G. Cripps, P. O’Connell, I. Miner, S. teeMAKING OF ATTRACTIVE CLOTHES Although not all amateur dressmakers achieve the smart simplicity of a Hattie Carnegie creation, few complete the course without having acquired a discerning taste in the choice of attractive clothes. The dresses, suits, and coats displayed on Connie or Janice, our two models for teen-agers, show a skill in workmanship that is truly professional. It is an undisputed fact that few goals are achieved in any phase of work without the application of patience, and it is this virtue which Miss Judd heartily advocates for a dressmaking pupil. In her class, Eleanor Brumfield has shown qualities that illustrate an outstanding dressmaking student. Extremely dubious at first of her own skill in sewing, Eleanor, through constant effort, has achieved a captivatingly effective dress. Girls with a Skill EXTREME RIGHT—B. Noyes, ’45, with her suit on Janice Commerce. F . RIGHT, above—C. Dunia, A. Kayaian, A. Lacavita, E. Brum- field. . . . BELOW—Santa Claus showing skirts made by M. Hartley and B. Hurst. Rousakis, L. Miller, A. Lacivita, E. Lacivita, H. Quinn, G. Zguro, C. Dunia. Miss White, teacher. An appreciation of her girls who can make smart clothing is reflected in Miss White’s tone when she recalls the superior work of Barbara Noyes, °45, creator of the chic, gray suit which evoked so many admiring comments during Education Week. Miss White also ex- presses delight in Catherine Dunia, °46, who in the past three years has made in shades harmonizing with brown, a skirt, dress, hat, bag, coat, and suit. Angelina Lacivita, too, merits praise for the two dresses and the smart, rose-colored coat which she completed. From Miss Scott comes the unusual success story of Alice Kayaian, whose first introduction to sewing occurred here at Commerce. Despite a late start, Alice overcame, by her eager and attentive interest, the obstacle of her complete inexperience. Her skirt, one of the first to be finished, was described by Miss Scott as “ of work.” an exceptionally nice piece

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Ls —— us — — 8 — | | UPPER RIGHT—Art class members working on scenery LOWER LEFT—Miss Marsden’s art class. Practical Art REAL ART APPRECIATED Another popular class in Commerce is Art. This comparatively small but enthusiastic group emerges from the course with a genuine appreciation of proportion and color harmony. Under the skillful guidance of the Misses Marsden, proud pupils often exhibit their masterpieces in a special library or hall display. These exhibitions permit Commerce students to view the products of their talented friends. Much enthusiasm was shown in February over the array of gaily-colored valentines used to advertise the Freshman- Junior Valentine Swing. In every corner of the building was tucked a huge, frilly valentine, the most imposing of which adorned Mr. Smith’s door. Surely no king ever received a more gorgeous tribute! The art classes particularly enjoy the occasions when they can work on a problem for practical use. This year their skill is evident in the colorful posters made for National Safety, Health, and Education weeks. Another outstanding contribution to school life, as well as a joy to the group, is the making of scenery for the annual Music Festival, the Hi-Y play, and for various other assembly programs (pictured above, at right). Some art class members also lend their support to the final perfection of the yearbook, for every year Miss Marsden has chosen her ablest students to draw the Caduceus section pages. Among the m any skilled artists whose work has been on display are Jacqueline Horner and Mae Sundquist. The name of Frieda Katsou- nakis also is associated by every Commerce student with some unusu- ally attractive poster or bulletin-board display. Margaret Hennessy, too, merits recognition for her able work; she hopes some day to attend Pratt Institute. Hilda Ostrowski particularly excels in watercolors. Edna Tutas, Caduceus Art Editor, has been outstanding in her pa- tience and skill in executing artistic layouts. Art Class, Seventh Period Miss Edith Marsden, teacher