Lane Tech College Prep High School - Arrowhead Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 85 text:

CHAMPIONS portation facilities and priorities due to the war, national contests have been suspended. Two groups that are affiliated with the sym¬ phony orchestra are the theatre orchestra and the swing band. Both are composed of a group of players from the orchestra. It is to the mem¬ bers of the theatre orchestra that we are deeply indebted for entertainment during Mask and Shears plays, commencement and other occasions. The second group, the swing band, is quite pop¬ ular with Laneites, and plays for many occasions. In addition to the symphony orchestra, thea¬ tre orchestra and swing band, there is another group of players which constitute the various ensembles. The most active of these groups are the quartets and quintets, although there are a few sextets and octets. These ensembles have had the honor of playing for many distinguished persons in exclusive affairs downtown. City con¬ tests are held annually, and following the trad¬ ition of Lane, we always come in “tops”. The four year course in music that is offered at Lane is unequalled in the schools of Chicago. In its scope it includes theory, harmony, coun¬ terpoint, music appreciation, music history, in¬ strumental instruction, and orchestration. Mr. Blum and Mr. Grill share with Mr. Schneider the honors of developing our Lane orchestra. Page eighty-one

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LANE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA To those of us who are graduating Lane will always be a symbol of strength and learning. Undoubtedly one of the groups that is responsible for our high regard for school is the Lane Sym¬ phony Orchestra. This organization is heard of in all parts of the TTnited States and has the reputation of being one of the finest high school orchestras in the country. For over two decades the Lane Sym¬ phony has won top place in both city and nation¬ al contests. Many people take Lane’s consistant winning of honors as a matter of course; but the real reason is extreme persistance. When we entered Lane, in January of 1941, Mr. Paul Schneider was appointed conductor of this group of high school musicians, and since that time he has never failed to lead the orches¬ tra to first place. In the spring of ’41 the orches¬ tra journeyed to Flint, Michigan, for the nation¬ al championships, and returned with first prize. In March of 1942 the group was chosen from among all other high school orchestras to repre¬ sent the country in the national music convention held at Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The boys stayed at Milwaukee for three days and gave five con¬ certs, two of which were broadcast over a nation¬ wide hook-up, and also short waved to South America and Canada. Today, Because of trans- Page eighty

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LANE CONCERT BAND It is the Lane Concert Band to whom we stu¬ dents of Lane owe much gratitude. It has done much toward our enjoyment, as well as our school reputation. The members of this group and their conductor, Gardner P. Huif referred to familiarly as “Cap Huff”, are the ones respon¬ sible for the entertainment which is commonly provided for all assemblies that are held for spec¬ ial occasions such as Bond Drives, Armistice Day, Navy Day, Army Day and for many school assemblies. At all of our football games and many of the basketball games the R. 0. T. C. band is always in there, plugging away to help our side gain the victory. The nucleus of the R.O.T.C. band is composed of the Concert Band augment¬ ed by less experienced players. Annually contests are held in which individ¬ ual skill is judged by professional judges. These contests are looked forward to with the greatest of anticipation by all of the fellows qualifying. The various instrument contests are assigned to schools on different days. The baton twirling, percussion and stringed instrument contests are usually held at Lane. Page eighty-tivo