Girard College - Corinthian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 16 text:

Swing Band Front Row, left to right-. E. Hill, W ' . McDevitt, M. Lane, W. Green, J. Murphy, A. Fiore Second Row: T. Ellis, D. Johansen, M. Messina, D. Jamieson, L. Michaluk, A. Bullock Last Row, standing: L. Krassen, D. Young, J. Marr, V. Rocco, T. Sweeney, W. Campbell, T. Wolff emember the dances — the melodious tone of the Swing Band, as they played their theme song, Talk of the Town. They were an essential part of our social highlights. The 1958-1959 school year was a very successful one for the sixteen members who played at six class dances, two Officers’ Hops, three Alumni Dances, two auditorium appearances, and three outside dances. With the determination, interest, and cooperation exhibited by the members, Leader Todd Ellis was able to organize a group of enthusiastic musicians, willing to work hard for the proficiency they achieved. By the end of the season, the members had progressed from ordinary musicians to a skilled team that worked well together. New ideas were an integral part of the success and development of the band. Lou Krassen’s tuba playing added a new touch. Music for the dances was selected solely for the enjoyable dancing. The selections played in the auditorium were usually songs introduced for the first time. Terry Sweeney, drummer; Joe Rocco, drummer; Lou Krassen, tuba; Bill McDevitt, Walt Green, alto sax; and Todd Ellis, trumpet, were the Senior members. The band played at Girls’ High, Lansdowne Y.W. C.A., and Woodstown High dances. These fine perform¬ ances gave the ’59 Swing Band a name known to some degree throughout the Philadelphia area, but most of all known by us. 12 The Senior Combo

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Girard News ■ Front Row, left to right: M. Sedlock, Mr. MacGregor, W. Ricci Second Row: W. Eliasson, C. Leithiser, R. Fisher, G. McDonald, M. Brown, J. Falciani, P. Shoemaker Third Row: D. Marsee, W. McLaughlin, f. McDevitt, D. Kauffman, R. Williams, F. Firlein, W. Walker, N. Badame, R. Sanrille Last Row: C. Swenlin, D. Sharp, A. Shuss, R. Fa rk, J. Stormer, J. Marr, C. Vennel, A. DeStephano 7 s our Senior year began, the responsibility of publishing The Girard News fell into our willing but f J r inexperienced hands. The initial issue created mixed feelings with both faculty members and students, but as the year progressed, The News established itself as a first-class student newspaper. Responsible for its success were Co-Editors-in-Chief William Ricci and Michael Sedlock, who were elected during our Junior year, and Mr. Caswell MacGregor, whose guiding hand helped us with our prob¬ lems. To lessen the burden on the Editors-in-Chief and sponsor, several assistants were appointed. Serving in these capacities were Robert Fisher, News Editor; David Sharp, Humor Editor; Gilbert McDonald and William Walker, Sports Editors. New policies included higher requirements for recognition on the masthead, By lines” for exceptional articles by reporters, and datelines for sports events. Deadlines were met religiously, since no credit was given for late material. Exceptional coverage publicized such events as the Christ¬ mas Concert, the Talent Show, and the Senior Washington Trip. A new column, Letters to the Editors,” was introduced. Articles such as How Can We Create a Better School Spirit?” aroused interest, and interviews with both administrators and class leaders proved worthwhile. Student and staff personalities were contin¬ ued. Responsible for the Exchange Department was Robert Sanville. Mark Brown was in charge of distribution, while Nicho¬ las Badame acted as Business Manager. Printing Advisor, Donald Marsee capably filled his position. Photographers Kit Leithiser and Paul Shoemaker are to be commended for their fine work. Mr. MacGregor and Editors

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Concert Baml Left to right-. Mr. Morrison, D. Kauffman, Green, T. Ellis, R. Kochcr, D. Cermele, J. Balazentis, T. Sweeney, P. Keys L. Krassen, J. Smith, R. Fisher, W. McDevitt ( T he Concert Band was most fortunate this year in having twelve experienced Seniors among its ranks. Much of the credit for an exceptionally fine band must go to these boys, all of whom have served as officers. Louis Krassen, with an unusally fine knowledge of music, served as a very capable and hard¬ working captain. Perhaps the greatest single factor in the band’s success is that of the never-tiring efforts of Mr. Robert W. Morrison. With his patience and wonderful leadership he has produced a band of which he and all Girard can be well proud. Another factor in the fine accomplishments of the band was the fact that the talent of the Seniors was well represented over the entire band. In the trumpet section were First Lieutenant Todd Ellis, Second Lieuten¬ ant John Balazentis, and Sergeant Jerre Smith. Captain Louis Krassen and First Sergeant Dominic Cermele rounded out the tuba section. The clarinet section included Staff Sergeant Roland Kocher and Sergeants Da¬ vid Kauffman and Paul Keys. First Lieutenant Walter Green and Staff Sergeant William McDevitt repre¬ sented the saxes. Oboeist Robert Fisher and percussionist Terrence Sweeney both served as Second Lieutenants. This year the Concert Band had its usual number of concerts plus a few new ones. The first, and prob¬ ably most important, was the Christmas Concert. Some of the music was the most difficult any Girard Band has ever performed. Among these were: Procession of the Nobles, and Polka and Fugue from ' Schwanda.’ Other memorable concerts included the annual zoo concert, the excursion up the Delaware on National Maritime Day, and exchange concerts with Olney, and for the first time, with The Hershey High School. We shall never forget the Concert Band which did much to brighten our lives here at Girard. We realize that its members were a devoted group who worked conscientiously to provide us with a wide variety of good music which we deeply appreciated. We wish to express the best of luck to those who plan to continue to a career in the music field. 13