Greenwich Country Day School - Spire Yearbook (Greenwich, CT)

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Iolantheh- pompous peers and fickle fairies Shortly after Christmas vacation the ninth grade and Mr. Gledhill decided that, breaking all tradi- tion, the operetta this year would not be a Gilbert and Sullivan production. However, a score of a possible substitute having been purchased and gone over, it was agreed that a Gilbert and Sulli- van operetta offered more opportunity for chorus participation as well as a wide selection of solo parts. As a result, we finally decided upon Io- lanthe, the fanciful tale of fairy revels and British peers. Tension mounted high as each role was as- signed to a deserving applicant. Rehearsals were scheduled, and diligent work was begun under the careful supervision of Mr. Gledhill. Realistic scenery was erected by a hard-working stage crew Cwith the essential aid of two ambitious females who managed to nail half the backdrop to the floorzj Costumes were created and stitched by Miss Bell between piano students and the fair- ies learned a dance routine under Mrs. Maclay. After many hardspent afternoons and a sacri- ficed holiday, the dress rehearsal was given before members of the lower and middle schools. The Ray Hornblower Cindie Lovelace Lord Mountararat Phyllis,' curtain rose on the fairy antics of Eliza Conze as Celia, Taffy Fisher as Leila, Susan Symmers as Fleta, and a chorus of fickle fairies. Our fairy queen, Carla Bowen, fluttered in, and Irene Malozemoff as Iolanthe was recalled and par- doned from lifelong banishment. Her son, John Knowles as Strephon, fell in love with Phyllis, an Arcadian shepherdess, played by Cindie Lovelace. This affair gave much dismay to Ray Hornblower as Lord Mountararat, Jim Kiten- daugh as Lord Tolloler, Teri Towe as the Lord Chancellor, and a chorus of arrogant peers. When it was finally decided that every fairy must die who does not marry a mortal, Private Willis, a British soldier, played by Whit Knapp, was recruited to rescue the queen in her distress, and the fairies and peers havilng paired off, everyone lived happily ever after. It would be difficult to convey the spirit with which the participants staged this production. Such was their enthusiasm that even the audience felt a part of the excitement which filled each of us. It was a memorable evening for those who watched, as well as for those who performed. Teri Towe The Lord Chancellor Irene Malozemoff Iolanthe',

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Choir Performs on Several Occasions Early in the first term the members of the choir were selected by Mr. Gledhill, Anxious moments preceded the announcement of these members, but once the list had been posted, those not included began to think of next year, while those who did manage to make the grade buckled down and determined to show them- selves worthy of the honor shown them. During the course of the school year, the choir, composed exclusively of seventh, eighth, and ninth graders, had four major programs for which to prepare. The first of these was the Christmas Sing. The many hectic rehearsals proved to be worthwhile, as any member of the choir would certainly attest. The choir sang two selections, the first of which, 'fHodie, Christus natus estv, was sung without accompaniment. The thrilling echo which could be heard on this anthem will not soon be forgotten, by either the members of the choir itself, or, we feel sure, the audience. The other selection sung by the entire chorus was 'iGlory to God in the Highest . A smaller group, composed almost exclusively of ninth graders, sang 'LO Nightingale, Awake and The Echo Carolf' The next event for the choir was the operetta. After some lengthy deliberation f'Iolanthe was 65 chosen. The principals for this production were Teri Towe, John Knowles, Ray Hornblower, Jim Kitendaugh, Whit Knapp, Irene Malozemoff, Carla Bowen, Cindie Lovelace, Taffy Fisher, Susie Symmers, and Eliza Conze. Only by per- sistent work, much-needed help from Mr. Gled- hill, and numerous rehearsals could this operetta have become a success, which, when finally produced, it indeed was. The sing on Field Day, May 30, was next on the agenda. This program consisted mostly of old 'favorites and a few novelty numbers performed by some of the more courageous students. Finally, and very appropriately, the choir had one last song to learn: the graduation anthem. The choir is a most memorable extra-curricular activity. It combines self-discipline with full-scale enjoyment, valuable experience with pleasure. Our appreciation goes to Mr. Gledhill, for his extraordinary patience and good nature through- out our upper school years. We feel that a valu- able footnote should be added here: the class of 1963 is the first to have spent all of its upper school years with Mr. Gledhill as its music teach- er. We take great pride in this distinction and it will stay with us much longer, perhaps, than some of the facets of music which he imparted to us.

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Pvt, Willis is generally admired Jim Kitenclaugh '4Lord Tolloller i 4 John Knowles Whit Knapp Carla Bowen Strepl1on Private Willis The Fairy Queenl, Finale of Act Il 67