Galt Collegiate Institute and Vocational School - Specula Galtonia Yearbook (Galt, Ontario Canada)

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'PARA Tu N C U Lp A A L' PAQATUS . The History of Music By GLADYS WILDMAN INCE the human voice is older than any instrument the first music was, of course, vocal. Some of the least civilized tribes of which we have any knowledge, whose language is the least developed, have rude songs or chants to express their emotions. These are not exactly what we would call music as, in order to be so, they would have to be rhythmic and have a regularly graduated pitch. However, it is from these chants that the musicians formed their works. All nations, which have the least cul- ture, have definite melodies and instru- ments with which to play these melodies. The fables, which we read of ancient times, tell us of the charm over beasts and trees and stones possessed by Orpheus, of Pan and his pipes, and of Apollo's lyre. Probably the first idea of a wind instru- ment was suggested by the wind whistling through the broken reeds. A person would not need to be very clever to notice that the shorter reeds gave a higher pitch, and what would be simpler than to bind sev- eral reeds of different lengths together, graduated so as to produce a musical scale? Pan's pipes were just such an in- strument and from them originated the modern pipe organ. Tradition says that Mercury finding that fine strips of dried skin stretched over a tortoise shell produced a musical sound, took this as a model for the first stringed instrument, the lyre. However, it is more probable that it originated in the following way: When the poets recounted the great deeds of the heroes of the battle, the warriors in their excitement plucked the string of their bows to show .their approv- al. Some one noticed that the difference in length and tightness gave the sound a different pitch. From this fact, they likely derived the lyre. In the Greek drama, the language was sung or intoned, not spoken. The roofless theatres were enormous, seating thousands of persons and so, it would have been im- possible to hear the actors. The latter often used masks with brass mouth pieces to help carry the sound. It seems impossible to believe that with their keen artistic sense, the Greeks did not appreciate their music more. This music can be understood only in connec- tion with poetry for which it was origin- ally intended. Both the Greeks and the Hebrews derived their musical art from the Egyptians, and it is from their rough instruments and original music that we get our own instruments, from which we take our ideas of rhythm and melody. All at Sea HE presentation of the operetta, All at Sea, by the Glee Club and Or- chestra of the G.C.I., under the direc- tion of Mr. J. L. Nicol, A.C.C.O., proved to be a great success in every way. Loud were the praises given to the whole cast and especially to those who so ably took the more important parts. All at Sea is a two act operetta, and as the name signifies, deals with the nautical side of life. The good ship, H.M.S. Pinafore, has set out on an ex- pedition to capture the Pirates of Pen- zance. On board, through the hospitality of Captain Corcoran fJohn Thompsonl, and his daughter Josephine fElva Haiselli, 55 is a large party of guests including the Lord Chancellor fGarf. Lorrimanj, Mabel fAlice Iredalel, and Patience fMarjorie Spencerj, who are friends of Josephine, Phyllis fElsie Elstonl, and Strephon CS. EcclesJ, a married couple, noted in pol- iticsg a well-known poet, Grosvenor fStan. Lorrimanl, and the Fairy Queen fMardel1 Prattj with her four attending sprites. Most important of all is the Mikado of Japan fBruce Buchananl, who is studying the manners and customs of the Euro- peans. He has with him Pooh-Bah fDavid Smithjg Koko, who is a Lord High Execu- tioner fTom Stuartl, and his three wards. By a mistake on the Captain's part, Sir Joseph Porter fWendell Cartwrightl, is

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- if In 1929 he was overtaken by illness again, in Switzerland, and for a time his life was despaired of, but his old ability to come back was demonstrated by an absolutely superb recital on his seventieth fi!! if PARA TUS ' birthday. Paderewski has done some notable things in composition, but it is as the vir- tuoso pianist that he will ever be remem- bered. THE G. C. I. and V. S. ORCHESTRA Front Rowe-Margaret Dell, Marion Steen, Theodolph Little, Chesterman St. Clair, Helen Fisher, Evelyn Porter. Middle Row-Adam Bendus. William Maddock, Radford Shea, Robert Burchill, Fred Stewart, Lorne Bowey, George Liscombe. Third Row-Stanley Taylor, Jack Stubbs, Lloyd Arnold, Munroe Fraser, Albert Bendus. Afllesume of the Qrchestra By MARDELL PRATT HE Galt Collegiate Orchestra, under the capable direction of Mr. Nicol, A.C.C.O., are indeed to be congrat- ulated on their progress this year. Their appearance in assembly for the first time in the new term was a very pleasant sur- prise to the new pupils and an anticipated pleasure for the older ones. Since then they have continued to play at every Mon- day morning assembly. On November 7th, the orchestra broad- cast a skilfully arranged program of widely diversified selections from Tassie Hall, and a great number of people who listened in were agreeably surprised at the talent displayed. Their presence at the Armistice Day Memorial Service added greatly to the solemnity and dignity of 5-1 the service. The Orchestra assisted at the Com- mencement Exercises and the several numbers given were heartily received. It has also played a very important part in all the meetings of the Literary Society, where it has always been persistently en- cored. At every ensuing appearance the orchestra prove that they are getting stronger and better every day. The Orchestra has kindly consented to take part in the presentation of All at Sea. Much of the success of last year's operetta was due to their untiring efforts so this year we are relying on them to keep up their good reputation. May we add our compliments for their co-opera- tion, and hope for their continued success.

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,, W TE H 5 SPEQULA left behind, but this First Lord of the Admiralty soon overtakes the ship in his official barge and comes on board with his Sisters, Cousins and Aunts. When night comes all retire except the Police Sergeant CHarold Dandol, and his gallant force, who are to remain on guard. It presently appears that the Pirates have chosen this very night to attack the ship and they soon come swarming over the side, .taking the Police by surprise. The latter yield to the superior numbers and the Captain with the others hastily comes on deck, to find the ship in the hands of the enemy. The Pirate King fHume Wilkinsl, however, proves to be of reasons able disposition and suggests nothing more alarming than ransom for the more distinguished members of the party and a matrimonial alliance between his pirate band and such eligible young ladies as happen to be present. Matters having been brought to this point, all retire again for the night, and this time remain un- disturbed. PARA TUS King. Whereupon the Mikado with great good feeling, offers the professional ser- vices of his Lord High Executioner, Koko, who is sent for at once. But here again are difficulties. Koko, when he learns all the facts, declines to take any official ac- tion on grounds which are unassailable and all are in despair until the Captain suddenly remembers the Fairy Queen! She promptly appears and solves the whole difiiculty, in a perfectly reasonable manner, to the satisfaction of everyone, including the Pirates, and all is Well. As a whole, we had no idea that we had such musical talent in the school. The choruses were splendid, and the diferent parts were well distributed and very ably acted. To put the finishing touch to the operetta the orc'hestra did .their partiby providing the music and accompanying the singers. Much of the success of the operetta was due to the untiring eiorts of our Principal, Mr. Wholton, who gave freely . I 19 7 L 47 I . J ga, L f . ii, 3495 lh , , x f. A . y 22: TQ X li' F! I XV. T 5 in Z ,.. 1 e - p g, ,g aa Zflllllll, , Y' p of 2 . l M-- When morning breaks the Captain, Lord Chancellor and Sir Joseph call a conference of prisoners to devise ways and means to extricate themselves from their difficult situation. Both the Lord Chancellor and the Mikado suggest plans but they are frustrated by the Pirate 56 of his time and experience, making All at Sea an operetta of which the school could be justly proud. Mr. J. L. Nicol, who conducted the musical score, is indeed to be congratulated on the results he has obtained. 1 A 1- Of