Girard College - Corinthian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

Page 17 text:

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

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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

Page 18 text:

Glee Clnli First Rou, left to right: H. Leister, R. DiBaftista, V. Rocco, A. Rosati Second Rou : R. Fisher, D. Cermele, P. Wolff, ft . McDonald, A. Schist o, T. Baggio, f. Stormer. L. Krassen, C. Koennecker Third Rou: P. Kolf, R. Williams, D. Young, ft - . Suantek, H. Gilzou . f. Falciani, . Price, J. Reynolds Last Rous P. Keys, I. West gate, R. Jones, C. Farrell, B. McNelis, J. Hamilton, J. McDeiift t his year, as in years before, the Glee Club has done a fine job of providing vocal music for Girard. It could not have done this fine job without the excellent directing of Mr. James Case and the assistance of Miss Juliet E. Stacks. They did much more than was expected of them in giving us faith and encour¬ agement and seemed to have an inexhaustible store of patience. Many hours of preparation went into the Sunday Chapel Services and the various concerts which were performed throughout the year. Through the efforts of this organization we have also had our education in learning to appreciate the various types of music. Much of the success of the Glee Club must be attributed to the effective leadership of its officers. Act¬ ing in the position of President was Rocco DiBattista with Victor Rocco as Vice-President. Harry Leister was Secretary and Angelo Rosati served as Librarian. The highlight for the Glee Club came in December with the annual Christmas Concert. Everyone agreed that it was a superb performance from the beginning Processional to the final Amen of the Christmas Prayer. A few of the standout numbers on the program were Christmas Song, Go Tell It On the Mountain, and A ' irgin Unspotted. The latter number was sung by the Concert Choir which also performed at the Broadw ay Hotel in December and provided the vocal music for the Christmas Pageant. Four concerts were also given in the spring. These were the Founder’s Day and Spring Concerts and the two concerts at Reading and Tredyffrin- Easttown schools. Some of the numbers included two spirituals. Ain’t That a Good Neu s and Elijah Rock, and a group of Fred Waring show runes. The Glee Club has demanded a great deal of hard work, but looking back, all its members agree that it was also an organization where much enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment was found. We shall always re¬ member and cherish the hours we spent participating in this activity. Stacks and Mr. Case A i4 y