Hickory High School - Hickory Nut Yearbook (Hermitage, PA)

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ADMINISTRATICN AND FACULTY

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MUSIC. . .A CREATIVE ART- VOCAL MUSIC Music, when soft voices die, vibrates in the memory. There is something in the human voice that radiates a personal warmth and intensity of feeling that cannot be duplicated in any man- made instrument. Choruses can stir us doubly, by the fact that they sing words as well as tones--linking poetic thoughts with expressive music. In choral work the high school student has the opportunity to pre- pare himself to take an intelligent part in adult choirs, to increase his appreciation of the masterpieces of choral music, to have the thrill of being part of a group that is creating beauty, to develop his own musicianship, and to associate with others who are interested in singing. Aside from creating beauty, singing can be a beautiful hobby, for singing posture and proper breathing cannot help but improve oneis physical well-being and personality. The student has further opportunities to broaden his experience by taking part in county and district choral festivals. In the past few years such famous conductors as Noble Cain and Olaf Christianson have been guests in our district. The experience of singing under their leadership is an inspiration. - Standards of music have risen so rapidly in the last few years that our chorus now sings difficult music that would not have been attempted before. -RUTH C. WEBB Instructor in Vocal Music INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC The important position occupied by the instrumental music depart- ment in our course of study furnishes the pupil with a concrete, interest- ing, and wholesome means of developing the qualities essential to success in life. It also gives him a perfectly safe, sane, and profitable way of spending his leisure time. Judged by any standard, instrumental music must be considered a major school activity. It is a natural part of daily life, as natural as the air We breathe or the beauty of nature we enjoy. No school or community function is successful without it. It is true that many who study music will not follow a musical career. But one can not become a member of the band or orchestra without becoming a beneficiary of the demands it makes upon him. It not only teaches honestyg it demands honesty. No pupil may substitute the work of another for his own. If he is unfaithful to his work, no teacher need appraise his failures. His own work is his accuser. At Hickory High School a start has been made to equip the student so inclined, with an instrumental education. Who can say which one of the many students here will make music his life work? After all, the members of the Boston Symphony, or the Cleveland Symphony, not to mention the many dance bands today probably had their start in some school orchestra. -LOUIS COHEN Instructor in Instrumental Music

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OUR CON DUCTORS KENNETH R. DELAHUNTY - SUPERVISING PRINCIPAL OUR SCHOOL BOARD 8 MAYNARD M. HOFIUS JOHN B. HOGUE President Vice-President