Riverhead High School - Blue Peconic Yearbook (Riverhead, NY)

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2V All participants were given a period of two hours for lunch and relaxation. Promptly at two o'clock the All-State Concert Band began its dress rehearsal, then followed the Glee Club, and lastly the Orchestra. The other members were free to do as they wished, but many desired to sit in the auditorium, since this was the only opportunity for members of one group to hear the other two groups. With the final rehearsals, group pictures were taken. At last the long-awaited evening arrived. Confusion reigned for a short while before the concert. There were final attacks of jitters, but on stage we reaped the full climax of our inspiration and our training. Our lime Rodousakis was chosen to be Concert Mistress, an outstanding honor for Riverhead. She carried out her duties graciously and efficiently. We were proud of her.

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rtLic Pouring in from all sides, a deluge of students flooded the halls and over- flowed the town. Although Mr. Cornelius Gall, chairman of the event, had made infinite plans concerning housing and rehearsals, the Student Council and Honor Society members, the Faculty and many of us zealous students worked far into the night directing the students to their destinations. The afternoon of the first eventful day brought with it the first rehearsal of each of the three musical groups. The band, orchestra, and glee club were under the experienced leadership of Dominic Savino, Olaf Winningstad, and Leonard Stein, respectively. These directors worked diligently, inspiring their groups to interpret the correct rhythm of the music and bring out the feeling and expres- sion of the words and notes. That Friday evening there was just about time enough for a bite to eat, and then-back to work. All left these rehearsals in an optimistic mood, because many had profited by the two previous hours' work and because we were in happy anticipation of the forth-coming sociability. Immediately following this rehearsal, a dance was held in the school gym- nasium. Music was provided by Bill King's Orchestra. All of us were curious to see who would be there—and therefore made an effort not to be absent. Then, having exhausted most of our energy, we were ready to trudge wearily to our homes and foster homes. The next morning, a rather dismal, cold Saturday-most of the students arose after a fairly sleepless night. Arriving at the rehearsals with cob-webs in brains and music in hearts, the young musicians started in. Although 9:00 a.m. was scheduled for the back-to-work hour, punctuality was the exception rather than the rule. At this rehearsal, the leaders worked primarily to interpret the niceties of the compositions, since the broad understanding had been grasped the afternoon and night before. Miss Helen Nepp, Supervisor of Vocal Music at Riverhead, accompanied the Glee Club.

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If you should happen in the auditorium during a sixth period, you would hear music ranging from a concert C scale to a symphonetta. Mr. Gall's capable direction lends inspiration while the small group of en- thusiastics practice diligently. The performances this season have included chapel programs, graduation exercises and a pageant presented at a teacher's conference. Much time was spent in preparing for the All-State Concert. Outstanding, too, was the orchestra section of our Riverhead Annual Spring Festival. Marching along together, the Band played publicly the first week of school. With little time to organize, they entered the parade preceding the Fireman's Bazaar. Soon home football games were enlivened by the cheery breeziness of their music; and cheerleaders, baton twirlers and enthusiastic R. H. S. crowds backed their enthusiasm. The year brought practice, chapel programs, the Spring Festival and, for some, the All-State Concert. Mid-year time the band experi- enced a paradox ; it was sorry to say good-bye to Mr. Gall, but glad to welcome Mr. Hovey.