Pinnell High School - Pinnell Yearbook (Lebanon, IN)

Page 36 text:

BAND The Pinnell Band has made excellent progress this year. Except for two players, the boys and girls were all beginners last year. Most of them rented their instruments for a period of three months. During this time they studied privately or in small groups with Mrs. Caplinger. At the end of that time nearly every player purchased his own instrument. The group has made several public appearances before the community this year. They have played at all of the home games where they performed on the floor between games. In these performances they were supported by members of the twirling class, which was organized at Pinnell for the first time this year. The brilliant solo work of June Brose, cornetist, should be given recognition here. Her very excellent musicianship together with her willingness to support any program have won for her the admiration and respect of all students who love music, and all patrons who wish to promote it in our schools. Supporting her in many performances this year have been our school drummers, Bobby Jarvis and Tommy Giles, who have also earned recognition as outstanding members of the band. All members of the band are to be commended for their good work and the many hours of practice they have put into the making of the Pinnell band. The Community club has been quick to recognize the need of financial help for the group. Last year they contributed the money for all new music racks which were very necessary. This year they bought a new street drum. There is still much to be done. The need of harmony instruments--namely alto horns and tuba--remains to be met. At the same time the need of proper uniforms is also apparent. All of this involves the spending of a lot of money and is certainly a project to be taken into consideration in the near future.

Page 35 text:

THE AIMS AND PURPWES OF TEACHING COMMERCIAL SUBJECTS The Commercial subjects offered in Pinnell High School are elective and are primarily vocational, but it must be remembered that many students use them in their personal work, too. Bookkeeping, Shorthand, and Typewriting are offered to juniors and seniors. In the shorthand class an effort is made to train students in taking and trans- cribing dictation. A knowledge of bookkeeping and accounting is essential to all who wish to understand our modern economic system. All types of business men, store- owners, farmers, professional men--are required to prepare government reports, such as income tax returns, sales tax returns, and social security forms. These government reports must be based upon adequate business records. The primary aim of a course in typewriting is the development of typing power for personal and vocational use. There are other aims of the course, to be sure, such as the related learnings having to do with syllabication, capitalization, punc- tuation, and methods of expressing numbers, but these are secondary to the primary purpose of learning to type. Whether the student wants to use the skill for typing personal papers or for getting and holding a job, the early learning is based on the same fundamental principles. In second year typing the student receives a great deal of training in cutting stencils and doing mimeograph work which will prove beneficial in almost any type of office work. The most vital interest of all students is the preparation for earning a living, and many young people will seek initial employment in some business or office position. The work of the Commerce Department is planned to help the student for the present as well as the future. Frances Coons

Page 37 text:

MUSIC Teachers are gradually recognizing music study as a powerful force in teaching students how to live after Commencement. Music contributes to the healthful development of the growing child through two channels--the body and the mind. A healthy mind is the chief prerequisite of a healthy body. Clear thinking, accuracy, and intense concentration are demanded of the music student- -both vocal and instru- mental. He must read the note, think the tone, pitch and time, simultaneously with the act of singing or playing. At the same time he must watch the con- ductor and interpret his thinking. Subconsciously he must be alert to every other singer or player in the group. Nearly every one can sing. True not many have solo voices and become great singers--these are the talented few. But nearly every boy and girl can sing well enough to become a part of a group or chorus and sing simply because he loves it. In both instrumental and vocal classes we have a laboratory of self- government. Here the students learn to work together. Here, as in no other school activity, the will of the individual is subordinated to the good of the whole. Upon the shoulders of each individual in the group lies the personal responsibility for successful performance of the group. Self reliance, respect for authority, cooperation, and leadership are cardinal principles of character that are learned through music. These have been the objectives of the music students in Pinnell High School. In constantly striving for better performance they have developed a keen sense of values. In nearly every case the music students are also the best students in other subjects. They are the ones who have the ability to organize their time and take more than just the required subjects. In doing this they are reaching out and taking advantage of all that is offered to them. This will make them the better citizens of tomorrow. That, after all, is the basic objective of all education. Evelyn Capnnger