Lincoln High School - Lincolnian Yearbook (Kansas City, MO)

Page 7 text:

THE LINCOLNIAN Vol. 4 JUNE, 1911 No. 7 EDITORIAL STAFF. JAS. CORDELL WHITE - Editor-in-chief GARDINER PINCKNEY Assistant Editor ROBERT A. BAILEY Business Manager ALONZO BROOKS - Ass ' t Business Manager GILBERT ROSS - - - Advertising Managei EDITORIALS Schoolmates, Alumni, and Friends of Lincoln High School, the Lin- colnian is presented to the people of Kansas City for the seventh time; the class of 1911 is passing out. their con- nection with old Lincoln will stum be entirely severed, but in passing let us hope that they will always keep a warm spot in their hearts for their old Alma Mater. The editors have done their best to make this a true representative of all in Old Lincoln — from the mighty Seniors to the smallest Freshman, and if they accomplish their aim, they will feel fully repaid for all their hard work. We pass no judgment on the book, hence make no apologies for its shortcomings, for this book is for you to criticise or compliment as you see fit. The past year has been a creditable one for Lincoln in every respect. September found our students on hand and conscientious workers. Even the Freshmen seemed less green. o During the past year we have been entertained by several distinguished men of our race. Mr. Clarence C. White, a violinist of no small ability from Wash- ington. I). C. ; Mr. I I. T. Burleigh, a baritone of New York: Mr. Win. Hack- ney. a tenor of Chicago; Rev. Henry Jamison of Peoria, III., and Dr. Henry Wilson of Chicago. III. The Lincoln High School Chorus sang at the Central High School for the teachers’ institute last fall, and their singing was highly appreciated. Since the music has been iu charge of Mr. Gerald ' Tyler at Lincoln, he has produced better music each year. Last year at Central High School the choral society under his direction produced Mnssenets’ Mary Magdalene, and it was more than successful. This year Mr. ' Tvler thought Central High School was too small,- so he secured the Orpheum Theatre to produce that well known play, S. Coleridge Taylor’s Hiawatha.” One hundred and fifty of the Lincoln High School chorus in cos- tume. assisted by Mr. II. T. Burleigh, baritone of New York, and Mr. William Hackney, tenor of Chocago. In Miss Carrie E. Brydie, the Latin teacher at Lincoln, one finds a lady that cannot lx- surpassed in managing the stage. The costumes were made by the girls of Lincoln under the watchful eye of Mr. F. D. Sprague. The scenery was made by Miss Louise Fordham, the art teacher at Lincoln ; the ornaments were made by the girls under the direction of Miss O. A. Sasportas; the property by Mr. Chas. Westmoreland, the man- ual training teacher. o HIAWATHA.” One of the most notable incidents in the history of the school, in fact iu the history of Kansas City, was the rendi- tion of S. Coleridge ' Taylor’s Hia- watha by our school at the Orpheum Theater, May 19th. For a year, per- haps. Prof. ' Tyler, director of music, had worked faithfully upon the choruses and the pupils had supported him zealously in the effort. As a re- sult this production was characterized as the best and most ambitious ever attempted by the negroes of this country.

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OUR FACULTY G. N. Grisham, A. M. (Brown) Principal Annie H. Jones, Ph. 15. (Oberlin) H. O. Cook, A. B. (Cornell) Chas. Westmoreland, A. B. (Atlanta) W. 11. Davvley, A. 15. (Oberlin) Louise I ' ordham, A. B. (West ley) Carrie H. Brydie, A. B. (Atlanta) O. N, Crosthwaite, A. M. (I ; isk) Olive A. Sosportas, A. 15. (Claffin) Eredricka I). Sprague, B. S. (Rochester) Gerald Tyler, B. M. (Oberlin) Edward Thompson (Lincoln High) Arthur Pittman, A. B. (Iowa) Geo. Ellison, A. B. (Michigan) Psychology Eng. Literature Mathematics Manual Training History and Latin Art Latin Chemistry ami Physiology English Domestic Science M usic Study Hall Physic Mathematics

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6 THE LINCOLNIAN In considering the. prominent fea- tures of this entertainment, ami re- membering the inexperience of the large number taking part, all Kansas City was agreeably surprised to wit- ness the dramatic feeling displayed by the pupils in the interpretation of the difficult passages. Indeed, at times they sang with such fervor and intense feeling that the audience frequently burst with enthusiastic applause. Aside from the music, the costumes and stage effects were notable for two reasons: first, faithfulness of the text, and second, because they were con- structed entirely by the pupils of the school. The artistic decorations with the beautiful beaded ornaments were the results of a month ' s patient, en- thusiastic work, and e;jch one who as- sisted in the effort cannot have too much praise. The Annual congratulates all Lip- coin High on this magnificent showing and feels especially indebted to Direc- tor Tyler and Miss lirydie for their earnest, unselfish efforts to make this production a magnificent success. — — o The question may be asked why negro pupils of the schools in Kansas City do not indulge or participate in all the forms of athletics the same as the white pupils. The answer is very clear. There is no one employed in any of the negro schools of this city who is willing to encourage the negro youths and to recommend to them all branches of sport. It is not that the colored boy is unable physically to take part in all forms of athletics; for is he not made of flesh and blood the same as his white brother? It is not because this same negro boy is unwilling to utilize his efforts and a small portion of his time in a way that would be beneficial to his health ; but it is for the reason that the colored boy. does not get sufficient coaching by other mem- bers of his race along athletic lines. How in the world do the negroes ever expect to surpass or excel in anything if they always neglect that all-inspir- ing. vigor which is brought both to the mind and body by physical exer- cise? MR. H. T. BURLEIGH. Kansas City has rarely heard a more finished, cultured singer than Mr. II. T. Burleigh, baritone, of New York City, who sang the title role in Hiawatha,” May 10th. For years Mr. Burleigh has studied under the best instructors in America and Europe and now ranks among the foremost mu- sicians of this country. His songs and piano numbers, many of which are based upon old negro melodies, are a part of the real American music, dis- tinctive in theme and treatment and still faithful to demands of correct composition. I ' ’or the past ten years or more, Mr. Burleigh has been chief soloist for St. George’s Episcopal Church, New York City, and the Jewish Synagogue, in both of which he has rendered efficient service. For thirty years lie has sung in concert and oratorio, appearing several times before critical audiences in England, and in that time has made a reputation as an artist which few men have equaled. Mr. Burleigh attributed a large part of his success in the recent production of Hiawatha to the inspiration which the singing and acting of our pupils aroused in him on that memorable evening. Kansas City should feel grateful for the visit of a man who is both an artist and a gentleman of winning personality. O MR. WILLIAM HACKNEY. The tenor role of Chibiabos in the Hiawatha production was well sung by Mr. William Hackney of Chicago, a young man. who gives promise of being a first class artist. 11c is a na- tive of North Carolina and came North to study voice culture, first under Mr. Tyler in Washington and then to Chi- cago. At present he is working will Mine. Magness whose reputation as a voice trainer is well known in America. Mr. Hackney has given many recitals of which he is justly proud and intends, through hard study and an insatiable ambition to master all that is best in the musical world. We feel proud of ibis young and ambitious singer and are confident of bis ultimate success.