Myers Park High School - Mustang Yearbook (Charlotte, NC)

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Orchestra members practice to play for concerts Classroom practice for orchestra members is a necessary portion of what it takes to form a fine orches- tra, for only through practice can a musician expect to achieve any de- gree of perfection. Students who show an interest in music are given grand opportunities for furthering their musical education by partici- pating in the orchestra. “To foster greater interest in band, orchestral, and choral performances and provide more opportunities for personal musical expression and ser- vice to the school, church, and com- munity” — this is the stated pur- pose of the National Music Honor Society. Its members are chosen for exceptional ability displayed in mu- sic, as well as in academic subjects. The Modern Music Masters, the Na- tional Music Honor Society, meet each month for programs given by prominent musicians. Many of the programs on alternate months fea- tured the members themselves per- forming in ensembles. In the latter part of March a concert, including choral and instrumental music, was given by the Modern Music Masters. Modern Music Masters learn about con- temporary music from Dr. Stegner, head of the music department at Queens College. Sophomore Ruth Rendleman plays the first movement of a Beethoven concerto for the Christmas choir and orchestra concert. Myers Park has a number of musically-talented students, such as Ruth, who have as many as three classes each day in the music building. Orchestra. VIOLIN: Beam, Stephenson, Huff, Rudisill, Ray, Clement, Venable, Snapp, Schreiber, Mizell, Ward, Kessaris, Pearson, Ross, Rendleman, Sibley. VIOLA: R. Rendle- man, McCauley, S. Shoemaker, Berson, Jones. CELLO: Shoemaker, Lee, Campbell, Strick- land, Davis, Ledford, Cooper. STRING BASS: Powers, Estes, Glenn, Walker, Dixon. FLUTE: Bordsen, Beam, Lonon. OBOE: Weber, Werts. CLARINET: Yarus, Shaw. BAS- SOON: Allen. FRENCH HORN: Higgins, Johnston, Segrest, Brownscombe. TRUMPET: Snyder, Colbert, Austin. TROMBONE: Michael, Delantonas. PERCUSSION: Houston, Hite (piano), Douglas. 28

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Monogram Club strives for better sportsmanship TOP: Tommy Carrier prepares to give Monogram Club member, David Spencer, five cents in exchange for, BELOW, a booster card. Directed by President Tommy Mac- Neill, this year’s Monogram Club continued to promote good sports- manship and better relations with other schools. Booster tags were a common sight on Fridays before football games. At Christmas, with the help of the Welfare Department, the club members located and helped a needy family. The Monogram Club induction week is a source of contin- ual amusement to the student body, especially during the lunch periods. Each day, during the pledges’ servi- tude, they were invited to partici- pate in invigorating games of leap- frog. Under the direction of their cruel masters, they tumbled from one side of the campus to the other. Of course, the club members, having been through initiations themselves, realized that it is hard work, so they gave the pledges breaks. During these breaks, the initiates indulged in such manly endeavors as propo- sals of marriage and begging for food. After five days of this torture, the scalped pledges became members- in-good-standing of the Myers Park Monogram Club. During the track and field season, the members as- sisted at track meets by handling necessary jobs, such as timing, scor- ing, and measuring. The boys set good examples of sportsmanship for the students at athletic events. Monogram Club pledge, Andy Harris, leans over to ask Johnny Wilson a question during the club’s induction week. Lonely eagle, Sam Bishop, tries to concentrate for once during the busy week of Monogram induction. The new inductees were easily identified by their short hair, messy clothes, and their tremendous eagle wings, signifying MP’s coming game with the East Eagles. Monogram Club Officers: Treas. Doug Baker, V.P. Mike Smith, Pres. Tommy MacNeill, and Sec. Joe Hodges. 27

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and the musical Members of the orchestra accom- panied the chorus in the presenta- tion of Handel’s Messiah. An assem- bly in January was held, and as a special treat, the student body watched Danny Werts conduct his own overture. Perhaps the biggest job, but the most fun of the year was playing for the musical, Annie Get Your Gun. Officers of the Modern Music Masters are Landreth, Hite (president), Parker, Bord- sen, Whitton, and Stephenson. Baton held deftly in hand, Danny Werts leads the orchestra in his own original overture. A junior at Myers Park, Danny arranged the music for each section and proudly conducted his piece. Students heard the Werts overture at an assembly held in January. Percussion instruments are located behind the violin section. Ben Douglas stands ready to come in with his part. Curiously enough the thumb of Mr. Mims has special emphasis and importance dur- ing a concert. This time he signals for volume. Cellos and bass violins add rich, mellow tones to a musical piece. These students are performing at an assembly concert. 29