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

Page 86 text:

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

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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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CITY CHAMPIONS Ever since 1930 the Concert Band has had the honor of being City Band Champions and since 1938 National Champions. But the idea of the band is not to win championships but to give to the student a preview of standard concert band numbers. If he intends to follow up the profes¬ sion of music after graduation this is of the greatest assistance. The band has over a period of many years accumulated a considerable li¬ brary of music which it manages to run through once every year, and in some cases several times. These numbers are, as stated previously, chosen to present a full scope of standard concert pieces and Lane is one of the few high schools in the nation to offer so complete and beneficial a course. In the spring of 1942 the band played for an Army assembly at which were present high ranking Army officials who, after hearing our band perform, offered to incorporate the band right into the Army. This of course was imposs¬ ible because of the various regulations that pertain to the musicians so Captain Huff had to decline the offer. Co-operation and leadership is not only developed when the full band rehears¬ es but also when individual section rehearsals are held. Page eighty-three