Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

Page 29 text:

GOOD FRIDAY When Good Friday rolls around, Kites come out of basements and corners. Stores bring out their kites too, and sell materials. Bermudian boys and girls make kites too, and sell them for pocket money. There is often competition, To see who can make the best, biggest, most unusual or colourful kite. On Good Friday, Thousands of Kites can be seen in the sky. The fun only begins. When kites break loose or get tangled in one-another. Competitions also begin like, Whose kite can fly the highest or farthest. Have dog-fights, Cut off your tail so kites go wild. Send up messages. With a piece of paper Kite flying day. Is the most exciting and funniest day of the year. by Sarah HURRICANE By:- S. J obi in (1D) The Hurricane Warning and Tracking Station in the Florida Keys was suddenly stirred to full strength as the satellite photo of the Atlantic came in. An intense low was gathering momentum and was turning into a Tropical Storm. Within the hour it had developed into a Hurricane. The raging storm packed winds up to 170 mph, not to mention a 15 to 20 ft ground swell! Soon all this information and more was channeled outward on emergency weather stations. But in the open sea, the schooner, Lively Lady was sailing toward Bermuda, totally unaware of the ap- proaching storm. Suddenly the schooner was facing a wall of solid greenwater which came cascading aown upon the seemingly match-stick of a ship, engulfing it completely. The lillte had just barely recovered an even keel when the winds struck. They ripped the sails to ribbons and pushed enormous mountains of water on the schooner, pounding it continuously. Above, the grey sky opened up, unleashing tons of water while brilliant streaks of white lightning shot down, lighting the diastrous scene. Suddenly, the winds stopped. Inside the eye of the hurricane, the waves shot up in geysers, totally confused without the driving wind to push them. Bi ' cis and insects rested in the rigging of the floating wreck. Then the wind came again, throwing the birds and insects off the ship and into the churning waters around it. The waves resumed their murderous pattern and continued to batter the ship. Suddenly it happened. The ship hit something hard then bounced off, shaking the ship from bow to stern. Another swell surged and swallowed up the ship, spitting it ou the razor-sharp coral, ripping a hole in her hull. Another surge picked the wreck up and threw it over the reef ip ' O the churning waters beyond. Miracuously, the ship still floated, but just for a moment, then it scraped agains; f-e bottom. Suddenly, a huge, black coral boulder loomed up ahead, but the schooner still rocketed towards it. Ti en there was an earth-shattering crash: one that over-rode the terrific roar of the wind and surf. Soon the wind subsided from a deafening wail to a quiet whisper. Also, at last, the waves ceased their deadly purpose, but all that was lef t of the once gallant schooner, Lively Lady was her wrecked hull which was bat- tered and beaten and wedged between two great rocks. 27

Page 31 text:

MUSIC 1977 — 78 CHOIR The highlight this year was the Choir ' s participation in the performance in March of Part 1 of Haydn ' s ' Creation ' and ' The Bernnudas ' , a contemporary work by R. Rodney Bennett. Both the Senior and Junior choirs spent a great deal of time preparing the music before they combined for full rehearsals with the other choirs, but the final result was very gratifying for all concerned. The Senior choir, supported by about a third of the staff, now attracts boys from the third form upwards and it continues to grow both in strength and quality. To the soloists in ' The Creation ' , a special word to thanks for adding that hallmark of professionalism and to Marjorie Pettit and Lloyd Matthew, paeans of praise for their splendid accompaniments throughout. Graham Redford and Robert Mason provided a very effective contrasts to the singing with their performance of the 1st movement in Cimarosa ' s Concerto in G for Two Flutes. This was performed with the skill and sensitivity that we have come to expect from these talented musicians. THE BAND Full marks to those people in the Band who gave up a weekend again (remaining in school, at that!) to prepare for the very successful Band Concert held on May 7th in St. John ' s. Thanks, too, to Mrs Popper and the parents for organising the endless supply of good food for the camp. The concert raised $550 towards a set of kettledrums. To the guest artists, Jean Motyer and Michael Adams, our gratitude for their splendid contribulion. The Band now numbers 50 and is learning to play thoughtfully and sensitively, as was demonstrated in the arrangement of Tchaikovsky ' s 2nd movement of the 5th Symphony. The arrangement of ' Fiddler on the Roof brought back many happy memories and the performance was dedicated to Paul Galea. By the time this is published, Mr. Galea will be teaching in England, but I would like to thank him for his excellent direction of two productions during his time at Saltus. One of the most significant events of the year and, indeed, of my time at Saltus, was the very generous gift of a new grand piano for the Assembly Hall. Words fail to express my appreciation to Mr. Mrs. Robert Motyer for this very magnanimous gesture, but at a concert to acknowledge formally this gift, Mr. Butterfield was able to convey the school ' s very real gratitude for this fine instrument. With the piano and the good acoustics of the new Hall, we hope to plan a series of concerts next year. The exam results are pleasing. Particularly distinguished is Redford ' s mark in Grade 8 — it was the highest for a student in Bermuda. Anna Swan was only one mark behind and she also deserves much credit. Standley and Mason, too, deserve special mention as their fine results have been collected after only three years of music. Well done, indeed! However, both Mrs. Petit and I agree that everyone learning an instrument should be aiming for Distinction standard; with more dedication to the more routine matters of scales and sight reading, (and these are important) we should see many more people achieving higher marks. The string section continues to grow and in September, we are going to combine the strings from both Depart- ments to form an Ensemble that will be under the direction of Mr. Philip Burrin, aided by Mrs. Petit and myself. Finally, and most important, a tribute to all those instrumental teachers whose skill and patience contribute so much to the musical life of Saltus. We would not achieve half of what we do without them. Thank you. William Duncan