US Naval Reserve Midshipmens School - Capstan Yearbook (Notre Dame, IN)

Page 235 text:

aI'lC8 f2341 an i Jive and 'chep-cat swing aren't things to be associated only with saddle shoes and sport coats. Midshipmen, in their Navy blue, also had ways and means of producing the fast foot patting melodies-the Midshipman Dance Band. The Band received top billing for the tea dances at the South BendfService Men's Center, there gaining favor as number one choice of all service men and dates alike. Station activities also found the band on hand to keep the situation strictly on the jive side. The band was one ofthe main attractions for the Happy Hour, and played for other special programs at the Drill Hall. Composed of experienced musicians, the band possessed a number of special arrangements of famous swing tunes. Ensign Duda, Welfare and Recreation Officer, rated the band as tops-a pandernonium of syncopation. Featured soloists in the 14-piece organization were Mid- shipmen Golden on trumpet, Sweet on the trombone, Hillman from the Sax section and Carey on the drums.

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l'Ul'l'l all ugle 6101194 As hundreds of midshipmen scurried daily from compart- ments, through snow drifts and into chow hall at 0630, the Drum and Bugle Corps took minds off an additional two or three hours of sleep which were wanted but not slept, the Drum and Bugle Corps furnished the drummers to put snap into marching to and from classes every hour, the Drum and Bugle Corps helped alleviate the monotony of inspections on Saturday morning. Under the guidance of Ensign Richard Tainter, for many years a Navy Bandmaster, and directed by Midshipman Chester J. Claudon, Jr., the Corps throughout the months of training rejuvenated weary middies and put pep and vigor into all formations. Aside from backs braced by the bugleis blast and steps evened by rat-tat-tat, the Corps had entertainment value- playing at football games and other midshipmen gatherings, However, those bugles invariably reminded the Midship- man-as if he could ever forget- You're in the Navy Now-Mistah P 5

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he Caluian The scene? A charming one-Executive Drill-two to three hundred tired, grimy, and irritable young men march- ing in a slight drizzle-said drizzle coloring conversation very much. The command HALT rings out and Capstan men are politely asked one pace forward. This is the line that made the Pepsodent ads. Brighter smiles will be seen only at Grand Central when the satin and lace number is waiting for her favorite ensign. Although the Capstan staff escaped the athletic period which followed, featuring that well-known you-know who on the raised platform, it took much more than athletic periods to produce the juggling of material and mental gymnastics which brought forth this, the fourth, Capstan. More than one 4.0 was sacrificed to the rather slate grey god called Hdeadlineug more than one study period was interrupted by, Chuck, you know how I hate to bother you, but we've got to have this by 0800g and often times the boys with the night club tan from Compartment 440 Qwhere the Hoors always had half-an-inch of art guml broke up the little game of follow-the-leader, and though weary were cheered by the thought of morning calisthenics. f235l