Stoughton High School - Stotonian / Semaphore Yearbook (Stoughton, MA)

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STOUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL AFTER GRADL High School graduation brings stu- dents with a talent for music, acting or any of the fine arts, face to face with the decision as to what place their artistic ability shall play in their lives during the years ahead. The person interested in IMusic or Dramatics should decide whether his or her talent, ability and in- terest justifies making these arts and the practice of them a profession from which he or she expects to make a living. If a student intends to follow some other work as a vocation, some provision should be made to continue the study of music or dramatics as an avocation or cultural activity. The music student who decides to make music a profession has many possible positions to strive for, depending upon the instrument studied in the case of in- strumental musicians, and upon his fit- ness for recital work, radio work, choral work and operatic work in the case of singers. Students interested in compo- sition of music naturally will study the piano and the fundamentals of the num- erous instruments employed in orches- tras. The professional musician may be- come a soloist, member of an ensemble, orchestra member, choir member, con- ductor, composer, private teacher or teacher of public school music, choral director, music supervisor, music critic, or may fill any of the other many posi- tions in musical life. If one has a mark- ed talent, good health and a willingness to work hard at perfecting a musical art, there is always the incentive of becom- ing a concert or operatic star and reap- ing the rewards of recognized excellence. The student who decides upon music as a profession should assure himself or herself of getting the best and most complete training available. There is competition for the valuable positions in music as in all other fields of work and the preparatory training received, as well as the prestige of the school attend- ed, often decides who fills a desirable po- sition. It is often best for a student in the teens to enroll at a school of the type Page Thirty ION— WHAT? of the New England Conservatory of Music. There it is possible to study one subject such as violin or voice, or to take a course including both interpre- tive playing or singing and theoretical subjects, languages, college subjects, etc., which will earn a Diploma or a Collegiate degree, such as Bachelor of Music. Such a large conservatory offers the student an opportunity to participate in public recitals, play in or appear as soloist with a Symphony orchestra and associate with successful musicians. The student who is interested in Dra- matics as a profession probably will train to be an actor, opera singer, dancer, teacher of dramatics. Little Theatre di- rector or playwright. At the Xew Eng- land Conservatory of Music all of this training is available and the student has opportunities to appear in public per- formances, gaining valuable experience obtainable in no other way. During the late Winter and Spring months each year, a long series of weekly performances in which students take part is presented to the public. If one is only interested in studying music or dramatics as a cultural activity or avocation, it is still important to ob- tain the best instruction and training available, and the benefits to the individ- ual continue throughout life. If one fol- lows a musical or dramatic education un- til proficiency is attained, the skill, knowledge and experience gained is preparation for professional work in these fields if it ever becomes necessary as a livelihood. But whatever use is made of musical or dramatic training, the person who receives it always enjoys the advantages of being able to appre- ciate and take part in such activities when the opportunities arise. They get more enjoyment out of recitals, concerts and plays, and when amateur productions are being staged they are eligible and able to take leading parts. As a contri- bution to happy, enjoyable and creative living, nothing can take the place of musical or dramatic training. Patronize Semaphore Advertisers

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STOUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL With the start of the season, Stough- ton looked forward to a very successful season, for practically the whole team of last year came back. In the first game, they easily took Fox- boro 8-4, taking it easy most of the way. The next victim was Brunswick, Maine. They came down here with quite a repu- tation but went back with a 10-5 defeat pinned upon them. Stoughton ' s traditional enemy, Can- ton, was next defeated. They were shut out 18-0. Their only hit was a very scratchy one in the eighth inning. Stoughton lost their first game when they went up to Nashua, N. H., and were defeated 10-5. The Stoughton pitchers were hit hard and often by the New Hampshire boys. In a runaway game, Stoughton easily walked over Braintree to the tune of 17-2. Randolph was beaten 19-2, very little opposition being provided by Randolph. By an eighth inning spurt, Stoughton just managed to come up and defeat Oliver Ames 4-3. Aren ' t you ashamed to ask for mon- ey? Well, I got six months for taking it without asking. A fountain pen when nearly empty usually spills what little it has in stock. Something like the human head. — Frosh. Charles Mc : Could you tell me how 1 can get green paint off my hands? J. Lisko : Have you tried selling it at a reduced rate? Patronize Semaphore Adverlicers Page Twenty-nine

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STOUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL V r Patronize Semaphore Advertisers I ' age Thirty-one