New Straitsville High School - Scarlet and Gray Yearbook (New Straitsville, OH)

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LETS MAKE MUS IC One of the greatest factors in determining a successful school is the band. We are very fortunate to have one. There are only three other schools of our class in Perry C ounty that have a band. Do you know why? B ecause they have the town back of them at all times. Very few people realize the work that is necessary to make it successful. Each year there is a great deal of time and money spent to keep up the band. New instruments, repairs, and new music are only a few of the things that must be paid for. , During the past four years the school and community have been show- ing a greater interest in the band. When the war started we were left without a director. Miss Irene Irvin rendered her servic-es to keep the players together. After three years of successful directing she gave up her position, leaving the band in good condition. There were new instruments, a good supply of music, and a new set df flags. After Miss Irvin, came Mr. James Horwell, who had directed bands for several years before taking over the position. By this time the uniforms, which consisted of hat and cape, were in poor' condition. Mr. Horwell and faculty and school board members decided to buy new uniforms. This presented the problem of money. Mr. Horwell suggested that the parents of the band members organize a band boosters club to raise funds for the band. They did so and within a year's time had raised S 2,000, enough to buy forty uniforms. They put on dances, bake sales, and many other things to raise money. The next year presented greater difficulties. Mr. Jones had looked all surnmer for a band director, but to no avail. Finally after the first six weeks of school, he was able to locate Mr. L. N. Cook, of Ohio University our present director. This year the band has appeared in several parades. On April 15th, a Spring Concert was given in the school auditorium under the direction of Mr. L. N. Cook. The concert was opened by a Descriptive Fantasia, The Haunted House by Sa.ffertyL Next was a modern piece, Boogie-W oogie B and, by David Bennett. The band then played three of the best known Marches of John Phillip Sousa, El C apitan, King Cotton and, The Thunderer. Next was a Choral Melody, Komm Susser Tod, when translated means, C orne Sweet Death, by Bach. To close the program was one of L.V. Metcalf's best known pieces, Rondo Abaca. The last event on the calendar will be the big parade on Decoration Day. This is when several of us will have to give up our places to the younger members. 35

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