Hobart Senior High School - Memories Yearbook (Hobart, IN)

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20 HOBART TOWNSHIP MUSIC GERTRUDE SWEETING. Shakespeare says: “lie that hath not music in his soul. Nor is not moved by concord of sweet sounds. Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as night And his affections dark as Erebus: Let no such man be trusted.” We of the Hobart Township High School believe as did Shakespeare that he that hath not music in his soul is lacking a part that goes to make up life; we also believe that the better the music the more uplifting and inspiring. At the beginning of the year the Seniors took up the study of the theory of music and in February we began the study of musical history. Now we feel that we are somewhat acquainted with the great masters in the musical world and can speak intelligently of their works and lives. During the year we have appeared four times in public recitals. On Friday, December 20th. in the High School room we gave our first musical program of the year. The room was crowded and many had to stand in the hallway which showed that the people of the community appreciated and wished to encourage our efforts to produce good music. We had a chorus of fifty voices and every one who attended pronounced it worth while. Special mention should be made of the rendering of a part of the Messiah which is considered by musicians to be most difficult. Miss Odell and Miss Clara Fleck, both members of the Alumni, assisted in this for which we extend to them our most sincere thanks. The High School gave several other choruses besides vocal and violin solos. The public, showing that they approved of the work in music in the High School, requested the chorus to sing at the Farmers’ Institute on Febru- ary 23rd. The girls’ quartette also, sang at this time and the entire audience applauded. During the year we have had several musical numbers rendered at the opening of school in the morning. They were specially prepared quartettes,

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HIGH SCHOOL. 19 accepted an invitation from a young man of the village and they rowed around a bend of the lake leaving poor Jack despondent. At four o’clock clouds began to gather. The people hastily collected their belongings and hurried home. Mr. and Mrs. Pambroke thought Geraldine had gone to the village with friends, but instead she had left the young man on the village side of the lake because it was necessary for him to return to his home early. Then she had slowly started back to the picnic grounds dreaming of Jack McConnel and did not notice the approaching storm until it burst upon her. Jack, knowing that Geraldine had not returned, waited and paced the beach. At length he saw a drifting boat come round the point. Someone was clinging to it ! Fortunately he was an excellent swimmer. He plunged in, his only thought being to rescue whomsoever it might be. When he discovered it was Geraldine he worked with redoubled energy. The distance was so great that with much difficulty he reached the shore with her. Some friends who lived near took her home. Geraldine’s father upon learning the story of the heroic rescue of his daughter sent to the camp for Jack. But Jack was gone. Because of the mental tension and recent physical strain “The Silent Eight” thought it necessary to take him to his home in Chicago. CHAPTER V.— WHEN CHERRIES ARE SWEETEST. Three weeks had passed since the first meeting and the cherries were almost gone. Geraldine went out to pick a few last ones. Jack had returned to the camp and was again passing the farm. Seeing Geraldine in the cherry tree the temptation to enter the orchard was greater than ever. He forgot his former experience — forgot everything in his one desire to meet Geraldine. As he approached he called, “Not a blackbird nor a robin in the tree this time but ” Well what matter what he said? He clasped her in his arms and they poured out their heart’s love to each other. Again the father saw them but departed unseen, and when at last they came to the house he gave them his blessing.

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HIGH SCHOOL. 21 duets, and solos. The majority of the students considered this a relief from the regular chorus practice and all were sorry when we had reached the end of the list. Our third appearance before the public was at the local oratorical contest. Among the numbers we sang the two choruses which we afterward gave at Hammond in the Lake County contest. Again we should not forget to mention our girls’ quartette who were recalled time after time until they had no more to sing. Our fourth and last appearance as a high school chorus was at the Lake County oratorical contest held at Hammond on the night of April 10th. Hammond sang first and we felt safe for we knew that our music was of a higher grade. We were fifth to appear on the program and our hopes were high. Whiting sang next and some thought that the laurels lay between Hobart and Whiting. Alas, the judges! Perhaps the result was the more disappointing because of the high markings Hobart had received in previous years. We had steadily advanced until in 1907 we stood second. But each year the standard is higher and we realize that it is less easy to decide to whom the banner should go. It is not advisable for any school to say, “We shall win.” At any rate, our choruses were worthy of our efforts — “The Waltz” from Faust by Gounod, and the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s Messiah. The Seniors’ final appearance under the name of the Hobart Township High School will be the night of May 29th, when with light yet sad hearts we shall sing our “Class Song” and say farewell to onr teachers. To our pianist, Miss Florence Banks, and assistant pianist. Miss Helen Mackey, we offer a vote of thanks. They never grew tired nor impatient for they knew we were working for a purpose. Miss Gish, too, has put in many a weary half hour with us when her patience has been tried, but she did the drudge work with us and rejoiced with us in our success. We thank her sincerely. For Mi-s. Lyeth we feel the deepest gratitude and appreciate the interest she has taken in all of us. Next year we hope that Hobart will win the banner and that the Hobart High School will retain its reputation for courtesy. As Miss Sweeting did not wish to write an article on the “Class Song” composed by Miss Gladys Mackey and herself, the task has fallen to another member of the Senior class. I shall not be afraid of praising it too highly as we of the Class of ’08 feel that it deserves all the praise that can be heaped upon it. Miss Mackey wrote the words for the song and in this she showed her ability as a poet. The meter is pleasing, the verse out of the ordinary, and the words express the sentiment of the class. Miss Sweeting composed the music and we realize that all the compliments she has received for her melodies in