Tillsonburg District High School - Tatler Yearbook (Tillsonburg, Ontario Canada)

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Anthony's Music Store in St. Thomas a number of times to see about a piano, and finally they came to the conclusion that this piano would be the best buy. Thus, for i p975.00, this instrument was purchased to enhance the cultural functions of the school. A special set of rollers for the moving of the piano are attached, and there is also a special cover to keep the finish in good con- dition. Since the piano has found-its home in T.D.H.S., it has been used on several occa- sions. Joyce Hustler played it at one of our first assemblies, and, at the assembly fourth form presented, the piano was used for the memorable performance of Chopsticks, by Bond Truefitt and Clifton Ronson. It is hoped that the piano will have an easier life than the old one, but it is also hoped that the school and the community as a whole, will reap great benefit from this fine instrument, as well as real enjoyment. Let's see if this new addition to our school's cultural equipment wonlt prompt some person with hidden talent to unveil his prowess by the temptation of being allowed to perform on our wonderful new piano. ' Gerald VVebster, XIIB. Z.,0..?.. Concert Culture According to an old saying, Music soothes the savage breast. If this saying be true, there have been many savages soothed in Tillsonburg by the concerts put on by the Tillsonburg Concert Association this season. I am sure that those who attended the last season's concerts and have done so again this season will agree that this asso- ciation has continued to put on concerts that have appealed to the tastes of their varied audiences. High School students were urged by their teachers to purchase tickets and a larger number of students were found in the audience this year. Concert-goers were very enthusiastic over the first concert of November the first. The performers, Mary Alice Rodgers, sopranog Mary McDonald, pianist, Mario De Soto, violinistg and Arthur Scloter, bari- tone, put on a brilliant programme. The Leslie Bell Singers, the artists of the second concert, needed no introduction, as most of the audience was familiar with their 40 beautifully blending voices through their Sunday night broadcasts. The concert scheduled for February the twenty-first brought two well-known and accomplished pianists to Tillsonburg, Mar- garet Parsons and Clifford, Poole. This husband and wife team gave an outstanding performance. On March the fourteenth, the Four Gentlemeny' from Studio A, with Miss Mary Syme as accompanist, were brought into the limelight. I am sure that those of us who had heard them over the radio had our anticipations filled beyond any of our ex- pectations. Last, but certainly not least, was the con- cert scheduled for April the nineteenth. This concert featured the London Civic Symphony under the leadership of Martin Boundy. Their programme last year was an outstanding success, and the large audi- ence welcoming them again this year would seem to indicate a similar triumph. Kerene Kelly, XIIB. X -df 'ix X Xl 4 f fs' S-Qw1'Q,,:v i i i? it 3 f f ra. Doing Hiamewov-kg-gl. beg-J' Betty Grey, XIIC Musical Milestones of '50, and '51 VVill these years be remembered as pro- gressive or regressive in musical composi- tion, or will they be known for their famous revival songs? Only future readers will be able to decide this issue. Looking over last year's hit tunes, cer- tain songs stand out in my mind. All types of music are popular now, and no one can afford to be prejudiced in favour of any one particular class of music. There are jazz, classical, dixieland, western, dance, and children's songs, all to be found at the nearest record shop. There are also songs THE TATLER I

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T.D.H.S. ORCHESTRA Standing: J. Louch, L. Louch, D. Hutchison, R. Cattell, J. Popham, W. Popham. Seated: W. Hilliker, N. Mason, J. Jones, J. Hustler. Absent: E. Gibson, D. Sherman, L. Claringbolcl. tion were I found an empty chair. I had just made myself comfortable when Mr. Harden rapped sharply on his desk with his baton for attention. Immediately, all gum and peanuts disappeared. All conversation stopped, students sat erect, and frantically searched through their music for the right place. The room was hushed. The baton was raised. The pianist was tense. All eyes were fixed on Mr. Harden. XYith a downward sweep of the baton, music suddenly swelled forth, and the Senior Glee Club was once more off to a good start. Kerene Kelly, XIII3. llc-1 Our New Piano XVe finally have a real piano. It is nothing like the one we always used to THE TATLER pound in the gym. of the old school, hoping to wring a few feeble notes from its re- luctant keys. That old girl has seen her day, and is used only for square dancing, etc., now! Our new piano is called a studio grand, which is larger than a baby grand but not as large as a concert grand. The piano is to be used only for concert purposes, and it is not allowed for just anyone to fiddle on it. The school has learned from experience that you cannot keep a piano in good condi- tion if everyone and his dog plays on it. The piano has been completely rebuilt, with many new parts, and all the old parts cleaned up. The keys have been thoroughly overhauled, to the point where they actually glisten! The piano is jointly owned by the High School and the Tillsonburg Concert Associ- ation. The purchase of this instrument was due mostly to the efforts of the School Board, and the Concert Association. Mr. I-Iarden and Mrs. l'Valter Gibson went to 39

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which come under no particular classifica- tion, such as Manhattan Towersf' and Leslie Baxter's Perfume Set To Music. On the other hand these songs are sung in many different ways. There are artists who perform by using the music as it was originally composed, such as Jo Stafford, Gordon Macrae, or band leaders such as Charlie Spivak. There are also musicians, singers particularly, who improvise as they go along, such as Sarah Vaughan, Billy Eckstine, or George Shearingg whereas an entirely new conception of how a song should be sung has been introduced by Peruvian Yma Sumac. ' The modern trend is toward western songs with a romantic flavour, such as I'll Never Be Free, I'm Movin' On, and That Lovebug Itch, by such recording artists as Tennessee Ernie, and Kay Starr, and the Singing Ranger. The western fan may well have become a classical enthusiast also, as evidenced by the rapid rise to fame of Mario Lanza and jane Powell. Strange are these lovers of music who will buy the record of I Taut I Taw a Putty Tat, by Mel Blanc, along with Chopin's Etude in E Major. Songs which came to the fore in last year's hit parade are Sam's Song, introd ducing young Gary Crosby to the listening public, and backed by Simple Melody , Thinking of You, helped along its road to popularity by the new singing stars Don Cherry, and Eddie Fisher: Bring Back the Thrill by the latter: It Isn't Fair by Don Cornell, backed by Sammy Kay's Swing and Sway rhythm, No Other Lovel' CEtude in E Majorj recorded by Jo Staf- ford, My Heart Cries For You, supposed- ly composed by Marie Antoinette. If, aptly sung by Perry Como, has risen in fame here as in England. The sudden rise of The Three Bells and It Is No Secret has lent a religious note to the parade of hits. Besides the juke-box favorites, many col- lector's items have been recorded. W'hen You're Smilingf' I Get a Kick Gut of You, and Too Marvelous For NNords, by the new jazz sensation, Billy Daniels, top this list, together with Freddy Gardiner's haunt- ing I'm in the Mood for Love, Body and Soul,', and I Only Have Eyes For You. Another album for the record gallery is 1938 Jazz Concert, recorded from jazz con- certs at Carnegie Hall. Some of the artists featured are Benny Goodman, Harry James, THE TATLER Count Basie, Gene Krupa, and Lionel Hampton. Songs included were Blue Room, Blue Skies, and China Boy. Many of these tunes will fade from memory with never a trace of their passing, but some will live on in the music hall of fame. Elizabeth Simmons, XIII. l COMMENCEMENT Continued from Page 25 Science-Richard Rokeby: Art-Edward Gibson: Public Speaking-Joyce Hibbert. Athletic Awards-Girls' champions: Sen- ior, Nancy VVarren3 Intermediate, Mary Elizabeth McLeod: Junior, Sheila Rokebyl Juvenile, Chere Dreyer. Boys' champions: Senior, George Gyulveszi and Gary Miller, Intermediate, Dave Richards: Junior, Irving Horton: juvenile, Douglas Vallee and Frank Manning. TINDA girls' cham- pions: Senior, Nancy VVarren: Intermedi- ate, Mary Elizabeth McLeod, TINDA boys' champions: Intermediate, Dave Richards, junior, Irving Horton. D.C.R.A. Crests for Marksmanship - Strathcona best shot, D.C.R.A. 2nd class: James Jonesg D.C.R.A. 2nd class: Jack Tanner, Bob Mason, Lloyd Rodgers, Gor- don Fentie, Noel Mason, George Gyulveszi, Dave Richards, Bob Heckadon, Walter Berko. Oratorical Prizes-Senior Girls', Joyce Hibbertq Junior Girls', Corinne Carson: Senior Boys', Richard Jones: junior Boys', Richard Gregson. Jacqueline McDonald, Spec. Comm. 41