Spence School - Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 49 text:

GLEE CLUB You've often been told of what the Glee Club sings at concerts. You have probably attended some of the concerts yourself. But are you aware of the months of extra rehearsals and pr eparations for the big night? You are probably vaguely aware of some kind of preparation when you find that the Assembly Room on Mondays and the sixth- floor drawing-room on Thursdays are closed to all except “musicians” until five o'clock. You hear strains of pleasant music as early as November and probably wonder why we bother to call so many more extra rehearsals as time goes on. What goes on behind those closed doors—‘‘hic labor est.” First, we all have our music in front of us. It’s easy enough to go on endlessly, just reading music and words. But try to do three measures correctly without those precious pieces of paper. Rule num- ber one is—o music at the concert!—However, while we still have time to cling to our librettos, we sing the notes and the words right (well, al- most right). During this time Mr. Ross patiently points out to us the value of intonation and feel- ing in a song; for days he goes through musical President Vice-President calisthenics to get us to produce the right ‘‘mood.” Yet the minute we sing by heart, everything 1s forgotten as we concentrate on remembering words and music. Mr. Ross will sit quietly, glance coldly about him, and say something to this effect: “I have been associated with music for years. Will you please explain to me what you were singing?” Thereupon we begin again, and sing again, and fifty times more after that. The concert of the year, the end and aim of all the rehearsals, was with the Williams Glee Club on March thirteenth, at the Junior League. We hope the audience felt that the rehearsals—and the extras—resulted in a musically satisfactory and delightful performance, Many of the audience did say these complimentary words. In turn, the Glee Club wishes to thank both Miss Prohaska and Mr. Ross for their pat ence, their inspiration, and their devotion to the Club’s musical training. Finally, as the Club’s President, I want to thank all the members for the spirit with which they have sung all the year through.

Page 48 text:

DRAMA CLUB Bashfully we admit that our audiences had a very good laugh this year. Modestly we attribute it all to the stupendous performances of our niembers. Shyly we are taking several curtain calls. Our first play for Thanksgiving, called ‘“A Note To Myself,’ combined a little moraliz- ing with a lot of slapstick to the approval of the alumnae and ecstasy of the third graders. Next, our abilities were turned to the Lincoln’s Birthday program, in which the life of Lincoln was stirringly traced in poem and play from boyhood to presidency. Although we could have used Raymond Massey here and there, the program was moving and highly appreciated. After the usual “war,” “She Stoops to Conquer’ by Goldsmith became the spring play. Since the gay comedy had not been produced at this writing, with the aid of our imaginations we feel that “She Stoops’ was the success to end all successes. Whatever it was, the cast, the stage crew, and, we hope, Miss Bradshaw, had a wonderful time with it, and with all our attempts of a year. DRAMA CLUB 44 Presid OMB vicki iota ens wis Te Kip Vice-President ose Patricia Weenolsen

Page 50 text:

STUDIO CLUB EE ERE Ee cs dee NON cet MeO ib Me faker PE Pm Alice Campbell King BS ice pian eI. See Ree ee era NUN CS KS In the Studio Club paint and paper have combined with amazing results. Not only in subject matter has there been much variety, but also in the use of different mediums. Leone Olliff-Lee has great ability in drawing dogs, and, to her surprise and joy, Miss Woodward brought in a darling cocker spaniel one afternoon. Speaking of models— every once in a while one of the members dresses in a costume of her choice and poses for the others. Besides the realists in the club, we have two outstanding imaginists, Patricia Weenolsen and Joan Wickman. Their paintings with brilliant colors and excit- ing themes add as much to the Senior Gallery Exhibition as Jeannette Graef’s panels over the supply shelves do to the Art Room. J. G.’s gay fish and colorful abstract sea- weed make that corner of the room a bright spot. Along the experimental line, Alice Campbell King has tried applying water-color paint with a rubber sponge on paper that has been soaked. The results look a little like textile designs. Besides the work in water color, interesting effects have been obtained with chalk, charcoal, and oil. In addition to .afternoons in the Studio, the club members visit art museums or current exhibitions. The Frick and the Whitney are favorite haunts, and the Museum of Modern Art. Miss Woodward's help and ideas are always an inspiration to the members. We all want to wish her success in her own work and with next year’s Studio Club. 46