Shortsville High School - Hi Lo Yearbook (Shortsville, NY)

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With Our Musical Past in View, We are Building Toward the Future ' For thirteen years there have been musical organizations at SHS. We have gathered together information concerning the growth of musical or- ganizations through these thirteen years and thus music, an art which has always been greatly extolled and encouraged at SHS, is the theme of our 1948 HI-LO. In 1934, the first musical ensemble ever introduced at SHS was organiz- ed by Mr. Hugh Vanderhoof, then our principal. The orchestra, as it was called, consisted of four trumpets, four violins, one saxophone, one clarinet and a piano. Compared to the sixty-four piece band we have today, that first little group seems rather insignificant, but the size of that orchestra was secondary in importance. The primary fact was what it signified, the birth of a permanent and worthwhile music department which would bring enjoyment to students and glory to the school. A regular music teacher was hired for the first time in 1935. Miss Helen Higgins took over the orchestra, which then played at assemblies and plays given by the Dramatic Club. In January of that same year Miss Higgins left us, being offered a better position elsewhere. Soon after- wards Miss Clara Johnson took over direction of the orchestra. Bet you language students didn't know your venerable teacher had so many irons in the fire. Shortsville High School emerged last October with a tremendous new organization, the only one of its kind in the history of the school. This is quoted from the 1936 yearbook and lauds the newly-formed band. The band was ushered into existence under the direction of Miss Ruth Taplin, an untiring and able woman who deserves a great deal of credit for the band she molded and fashioned. That spring Miss Taplin took her or- ganization to Phelps and entered them in a contest of bands held there. Lo and behold, they came off with an encouraging rating, mind you, not too great nor too small, just large enough to give the band a terrific boost. Miss Taplin remained with us until 1937 when .... Mr. Emory McKerr took over the position of music instructor. Under Mr. McKerr the band really expanded and attained a status quo in its class throughout this area. The orchestra disappeared entirely in 1938, due to the fact that so small a school could hardly support and instruct both a good band and orchestra. Also in 1938, the band room was born, or rather it was carved out of the attic. There three times a week for ten years band members have faithfully shivered, sweated, and as a result of arduous practice produced good music. ln 1941 the mixed chorus made its debut in SHS society. Previous to the forming of the mixed chorus, a small glee club of girls composed the entire vocal scale in SHS. Though the chorus competed in no contests during its first two years of existence, it later entered contests and festi- vals, emerging With high ratings and worthwhile honors. Those years through 1938 and 1941 were glorious ones for our band when national contests were still being held. In 1939 the band, traveling A 6

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FOREWORD . . 0 Although yearbooks usually serve as a record of each student's school history, this year we have added another purpose. Now it interprets our school life for Mom and Pop and everyone in Shortsville so that a better understanding can exist between the school and the community. Our sports and other extracurricular activities have been clearly dealt with. In this way, the social side of our school is exhibited. ' Through photographs of our actual class scenes and activites, this year- book intends to present a true picture of the scholastic life of our school. Here you can see Miss Shortall reading to the Kinder- garten, an experiment we had in Chemistry, and even some of our assembly programs. This phase of the school pro- gram has previously been almost entirely left out in our school annuals. By pointing out our re- lationships with various school subjects and teachers, perhaps we can show the townspeople new and better as- pects of our educational system. These are the aims of the 1948 Hi-Lo. Its task shall be completed t if, after looking the yearbook over, the reader realizes the extent of the school program and comprehends its pur- pose. 5 -

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on the Black Diamond, journeyed forth from the Manchester yards to compete in the National Regional Contests held in New York City. Com- pete they did to win the highest honor rating in their class. Funds for this trip were raised in record time by the townspeople, while the band learned all the required numbers in merely eight days. Then in 1941, after two years of hard work, the band entered the National Contest at Atlantic City and received a one rating, still upholding and glorifying their previous record of national championship recognition. Our band was the only class C band to be awarded this rating. Mr. Edward G. Timbrell, our present music director, came to us in 1942, enriching our music department and school alike. Through his efforts the aim of our music department has been and is to bring music to more students, create an appreciation of music in our school and finally to pro- duce music in the true sense of the word. Since the war, national contests have been suspended definitely. So our present band and chorus have had to be content with festivals and local concerts. It was a big day for the band in 1944 when we played that concert at Monroe High. Though at first we Shortsvillans were a bit doubtful as to how our music would be received, the ovation we rose to dispelled any and all doubts as to the success of the concert. This same year the band participated in the Rushville Music Festival, earning a I rating. The following year, 1945, the band and chorus again journeyed to Rushville, this time obtaining a II rating. Always said that judge had a mean face! Nineteen forty-six was a busy year, with the Palmyra Fair, Rushville, and Port Byron on our musical calendar. At the Palmyra Fair we took second prize. At both Rushville and Port Byron we carried home a I rat- ing, proud as all get out. Until 1947 our band had played mostly grade three music, but now it plays and plays well grade four music, which is usually reserved for a much larger school than ours. Many out-of-town concerts were played this year at Phelps, York, Oswego, Rushville and Manchester. In the aforementioned Rushville Festival, our good old band toppled over all competition and carried home the only one rating. The chorus, though not as illustrious as the band, has just as many potentialities. In 1943 the membership of the chorus totaled thirty mem- bers. As the enrollment increased, so the quality of the music improv- ed. It has today developed into a harmonious, well-trained group of eighty-one members. In 1943 the chorus presented its first solo perform- ance. Since then the chorus has taken part in several music fectivals and state finals, winning a I rating at Rushville, Oswego and Port Byron. Music is all of Heaven that we have on earth. Not that our music is exactly heaven but all music well played and appreciated holds a true beauty for those concerned in making the music or those listening to it. Here in our school, through the efforts of conscientious teachers and students, music has come to play an important part in our life. Some of us will go on in music, taking to college the fruits of our labor here in high school. Still others, though We never intend to be musicians, will always have the satisfaction of the accomplishments we have achieved or have helped to achieve in band and chorus. Music is not for a special talented few but for millions. Music moves people from every walk of life to laugh, cry, sigh, reminisce, and dream. True, not every person likes the same type of music, but there is music for every individual, classical, semi-classical, popular, jazz, folk songs, ballads, hill-billy songs, and opera. We are fortunate to be able to have such a progressive musical depart- ment, for here we are given training and experience that will enrich our lives and give us the incentive to work for what we want, being shown that long hard work always has its reward. 7