Paxton High School - Reflector Yearbook (Paxton, IL)

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Girls’ Glee Club Boys’ Club

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Music MISS RICKARD MR. FREDERICK Our Glee Clubs, while recreational in a sense, set as their goal the covering of a wide variety of song from Palestrina to Rudolph Friml. In the literature both sacred and secular compositions are studied. Together with the cultivation of the voice, the acquiring of an appreciation for songs of the past and present is the chief aim of this course. Tryouts are held in the fall of each year to determine the range of the voices of those interested in belonging to this organization. The Girls’ Glee Club meets twice a week—on Monday and Thursday. The Boys’ Glee Club also meets twice a week, but on Tuesday and Thursday. A mixed chorus, which was just instituted this year, meets but once a week— on Friday. Glee Club members have the opportunity of appearing before the public several times during the course of the year. Usually in March, we present a musicale; in the spring, we enter in contests various groups, as well as soloists. We also give a few selections for Commencement programs and Baccalaureate services. Inestimable value is to be found in vocal training. In each meeting we are trained in scales, exercises, and drills, as well as in sight-reading and practicing songs already studied. One half credit a year is given for this work. For four years two credits or one unit is given. Miss Louise Rickard was our instructor the first semester, but she resigned in December. Mrs. Helen Gutheil has capably taken her place.

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and If a student is interested in music, band proves a profitable course. There are five periods of practice a week. Three periods are devoted to practice of the entire band, and the other two periods are devoted to sectional rehearsals of the brass and wood winds. Instrumental instruction is offered to those students who wish to enter the band. Lessons are given in classes of not over five pupils. The classes are conducted outside of school under school regulations. Members of the band who are interested and have attained a degree of technicality are urged to do solo work. The school owns a complete set of the more unusual types of instruments such as oboes, bassoons, alto and bass clarinets, tubas, and a string bass. These instruments are made available to properly qualified students. The music library is composed of the most modern and recent types of publications for concert band, ranging from symphonic editions to better types of popular music. Band is an excellent means of developing music appreciation and understanding. A suitable type of instruction is given, which promotes higher standards of musical excellence and student performance. This year the band took part in the annual musical on March 31. Selected members of the band played several popular numbers. The Swing Band made numerous appearances at the home basketball games.