Shawnigan Lake School - Yearbook (Shawnigan Lake, British Columbia Canada)

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10. SONG— The Sailor ' s Dance Molloy Mr. M. A. Ellissen 11. SONGS— The Pedlar and the Alderman Marchant A Golden Lullaby Ho wells The Captain and the Frenchman (Marryat) Dunhill 12. THE ORCHESTRA— The Desert Caravan Zamecnik A FEW HINTS TO WOULD-BE MUSICIANS By Our Musical Expert After much practice and study with some of our leading orchestras, I have compiled the following instructions and hints to budding players : Cornet — The best advice I can give a would-be cornet player, is to buy a mouth-organ or a Jew ' s harp. Horn — Fill the lungs with air, trample on all th e stops in sight, lay the ears well back and blow. Oboe— Don ' t. Double Bass — This is a very simple instrument to play. Two alternatives are open to the budding bassoon or loon, as a player on this instrument is called: (1) Take a couple of handfuls out of each string, saw up and down with the bow, and announce that he is playing God Save the King, or (2) place a gramaphone or musical-box inside. The latter course is strongly recommended. ' Cello — Drive the prong of the instrument well into the ground, then standing a couple of feet off, grab a few strings with a boathook or mashie-niblick, pull out a little way and let go. This is called pizzicato. Violin — Place the butt of the instrument firmly between the teeth, shut both eyes and rub up and down the strings smartly with a piece of sandpaper. This produces the most diverting results with a minimum of effort. Clarinet — A delightful instrument when played in the bath. Gives an exact imitation of a bottle of soda-water. 23

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The singing of the Seniors was full of energy, and their sense of pitch, rhythm and style is very pleasing. In conclusion we feel that we must try to convey the deep sense of obligation which we feel to Miss Lonsdale. The school is most fortunate in having an instructor so able and so willing to devote her time and energy to encouraging our school music. The Physical Drill was executed with a precision and smartness which showed careful training on the part of the teacher and keenness on the part of the pupils. Considerable credit is due to Crisp on these accounts. Programme 1. THE ORCHESTRA— The Lotus Flower Schumann Hungarian Song Esterhazy 2. SONGS— The Seekers (Masefield) Dyson The Cavalier (Masefield) Gardiner 3. VIOLIN— Farewell to Cucullain Kreisler Fair Rosmarin Kreisler 4. SONGS— Alow and Aloft Rathbone The Mad Dog (Goldsmith) Dunhill The Juniors 5. SONG— The Floral Dance K. Moss Mr. M. A. Ellissen 6. PHYSICAL DRILL. 7. PART SONG— The Chase (Oxenford) German 8. VIOLIN— Elegie des Erinnyes Massenet Sarabande und Tambourin Leclair 9. SONGS— The Ferry (Rosetti) Ireland The Knight and the Dragon Dunhill The Juniors 22

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Flute — Open the mouth wide, ram the instrument well down the throat and then scream. An occasiontl movement on the keys is said to increase the beauty of the notes. Piccolo — Same as for flute ; care being taken to avoid swallowing the thing, as this produces a very acute form of indigestion. Conductor — A few ounces of cotton-wool or blotting-paper placed in the ears before starting will greatly assist the most nervous conductors. A slight knowledge of music is helpful. In my next article I shall discuss the higher branches of orchestral work. (Not if we can help it. — Ed.) MAY 24TH, 1925 In spite of the rumours started in last year ' s issue of the magazine, Parksville was again the objective of our Empire Day holiday. This time we attempted a more ambitious scheme ; the re- mainder of the school who had not gone home for the week- end (some 28 people in all), spending the night at the Island Hall and thus having two most enjoyable days by the sea. Early on Saturday morning the procession of gaily decor- ated cars left the school, arriving with streamers somewhat bedraggled, at Englishman ' s River in time for a picnic lunch. After a suitable interval for cud-chewing and other rural pastimes, the fleet moved off once more, bound for Parksville. Here the afternoon was spent in bathing, playing golf on the sands and enjoying life generally, till supper, a meal which seemed to defeat even our most stalwart feeders, who were gradually forced to give up the unequal struggle with many regretful looks and much easing off of belts. Another short interval for reflection, and then things having assumed their normal shape, more games and finally to bed. There was some slight confusion the next morning owing to somebody having arranged to be called early Mother dear, in order that he should be Queen of the May. This 24