Joliet Central High School - Steelmen Yearbook (Joliet, IL)

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The foli H. I 'gh Q rclzesfra is pr esemed . 111 cone eff in I 93.9 W. 1111 Mt . Hit ffm A ' contre Ige f Records show evidence of a student orchestra at Ioliet Township High School as early at 1905. However, it was not until September, 1912, that Mr. Hiram A. Converse was hired to organize the first orchestra and become the first regular member of the faculty to direct the orchestra. This first schoo1-sanc- tioned orchestra consisted of sixteen members and rehearsed once a week. Mr. Converse retired from his position in Iune, 1948. His successor, Mr. Peter Labella, assumed the director's post the following September. Climaxes Five Decades of Majestic Music The . Iol- d'fecri0,,'Z21f?w,,s1U r, P .P H- eier Leigh 8571001 or 11 C est: Q is Dress I bella In 194 B. 11 ed i H COIICQI-t 10 r the Urs! fi a was invited by the executive board of the Illinois erform as one of the featured groups at the mpaign. In achieving further na- Association invited this direction of Mr. ference This year the orchestr Music Educators' Association to p Illinois Music Educators' meeting at Cha tional recognition, the National School Orchestra musical group to appear as featured orchestra, under the Labella, at one of the meetings of the Music Educators' National Con at Chicago on March 20. The orchestra was guest conducted by Dudley Powers, director of the Youth Orchestra of greater Chicago, in addition to other guest conductors. In e unde, the

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Although there is evidence of orchestra activity. on an informal basis, at ITHS as early as 1905, the august gentleman pictured above constituted the first official organized orchestra who played under the direction of Mr. Hiram A. Converse. The year was 1912 and these musicians were the trail blazers. Since their day the IT orchestra has traveled fifty glorious years to reach the crest of high school orchestral prominence. These gentle- men can be proud of the precedent they set and they can be equally proud of the succeeding generations of high school musicians who have carried on the heritage of good music established by them. Included here are the first-organized ITHS orchestra, September 1912, Hiram A. Converse, Director. BOTTOM ROW, left to right: Robert Wraith, Iulius Fahrner, Elmer Rulien, Bradford Matteson, Hiram A. Converse, Iames Skinner, Ralph Iohnson and Loren Carver. SECOND ROW, left to right: C. P. Shideler, Herbert Hinrichs, Anna Young, Alta Stansbury, Leon Hammet, Robert Iones, Forest Merrill, and Silas Peterson. Marking the Orchestra's Golden Anniversary Miss Audrey Totter fClass of 19361 erous motion picture and television pro- lf' ions. , 4 ,J X f 1 w- if 1 D11 L Noted Orchestra Persona11t1es Past and Present Played string bass in the orchestra for four years and was in the pit orchestra her senior year. Miss Totter is now an actress and has starred in the theatre and in num- Mr. William Preucil fClass of 19481 Mr. Don Haines fClass of 19551 Performed in the orchestra for four years and was concertmaster all four years. A g r a d u a t e of Eastman School of Music, Mr. Haines served in musical units at West Point Military Academy, 1962-63. 6 f-v Performed in the orchestra four years and was concertmaster his junior and senior years. The only native of Ioliet to perform a recital in Manhattan's Town Hall in New York City. Mr. Prencil is now a professor of music at the State University of Iowa. Miss Kathleen Emmett tClass of 19621 Has been a member of the orchestra for four years and the leader of her section her junior and senior years. Miss Emmett has served the orchestra as publicity chairman during her senior year and plans to continue her study of music. Numerous honors and award have come her way through contests and performances during her high school musical career.

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Myriad Personages Contribute Selflessly s M. tllllvcigldent .0108 Y- 'Y W Ps x M09 so- B Pies' A Many of the activities of the orches- tra are made possible through the A co-operation and sponsorship of the ITHS Orchestra Boosters Association i which offers lay leadership and as- sistance. Incessant encouragement is given by budding musicians by the director and all members ot the IT Orchestra Boost- ers Association. Incentives to do well are offered ireely. Trips to special concerts in metropolitan areas. awards to Outstanding senior members and informal parties. picnics, and field trips. including the annual Orchestra Dinner-Dance, all tend to create a comradery among the students which Spflf gives zest and purpose to their musical 5599 ng training. All this has been made pos- XC' 'de sible and is done more easily through vxce the loyalty and enthusiasm evidenced by the Boosters Association. O .I slots 95 w, ,ABS od 36,5 I X 9Y55.5ec1el Q65 ostlle W' we 'Ne - - v F. 8-1 I- A 2,9 .. tk. A X F? 4:5 '- 4 . w 1 1 ' Q' ln K -if-7 K' ' Q7 1 X 1 . if, - A rf 3, rl.. ff' lf! i 'H . t F 2 '- i fi ' Distinguished guests who attendeded the orchestra banquet in 1961 held at the Ioliet Country club include some ot the most loyal friends ol the Ioliet Township High School Orchestra. These staunch supporters oi good music come from the lay public as well as the If school family. Making an appropriate orchestra boosters family portrait are: Left to right. Mrs. Clarence Stallman, Mr. Clarence Stallman, Il' First Vice-Principal: Mrs. Peter Labella. Mr. Peter Labella, Orchestra Director: Mrs. Bruce nouse- knecht. Mr. Bruce Houseknecht, Head of the IT Music Department: Mrs Franklin Norem, Mr. Franklin Norem, President, Orchestra Boosters As- sociation, 1960-1961: Mrs. Forest McAllister, Mr. Forest McAllister. Masters ot Ceremony and Co-Chairman. second annual Dinner Dance.