Victoria High School - Victorian Yearbook (Edmonton, Alberta Canada)

Page 17 text:

Year Book 19 ORCHESTRA Leslie Mullet, Jesse White, Bill Speer, Peter Pullishy, Charles Bridges, Aubrey Arthur. Louise Neveczis, Vera Pike, Mr. Baker, Kathleen Mayhew, Olivena White. Don Thom, Harriet Birch, Don Burton. THE ORCHESTRA 0 I HE orchestra has completed another successful year and, aside from IL contributing much to the school as a whole, has itself derived a great deal of benefit from the weekly practices. Although the attendance was not always one hundred per cent it was generally very good. Under the capable leadership of Mr. Baker, the group has accomplished wonders in the development of technique and interpretation of music. At each Lit pleasing selections were presented, some of a lighter vein, including waltzes, marches and novelty numbers, while others were more classical. Both types were greatly appreciated by the audience. On the night of the Inter-grade Plays, the orchestra rendered several numbers between the acts, and. at another date, four of the members played for dancing at the athletic party. Lastly, at one of the most important events of the term—the year plays—the musicians supplied appropriate music during the intermission. In fact we believe that the orchestra has demonstrated the truth of the old adage “Music hath charms,” and many savage breasts have been soothed into complete docility, which has, we hope, been a source of satis¬ faction to the teaching staff.

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18 Victoria High School THE LITERARY SOCIETY CJlJj HE newly appointed Students’ Union Executive of 1929-30 found J1L itself supplied with abundant material with which to put on the Lits. The Literary Society used the talent in the school to such great advantage that during the whole term it has kept its programs well up to the standard set for it in past years. In fact the Lits this year have been said to be the best in the history of the school. Once again Vic has been able to produce many musical artists who proved themselves capable of giving their audiences real enjoyment. The vocalists, Enid Surrey, a silver medalist, and Ed Nepstad, a rising marvel, favored us with a number of songs. Avenir Nizoff and Frank Dunk gave piano solos at the Lits. Nizoff rendered mostly classical selec¬ tions, while Dunk entertained us with jazz. Judging from the applause given by the listeners, these numbers were greatly appreciated. The orchestra, under the direction of Mr. Baker, presented selections at every Lit. The Glee Club also took an active part. Under the supervi¬ sion and coaching of Mr. Luck it proved its ability to do great things. As well as contributing to nearly every program, it lead the school in community singing at Christmas. The club later developed a double male quartet which assisted in later entertainments. The dramatic ability of the student body was demonstrated in the several short skits that were put on during the year. Those who took part in these were Betty Ingram, Margaret Moore, Deryck Berry, Cameron Grant, and Jim McIntosh. One of the most highly appreciated skits was a pantomime called “Meller-Drammer,” in which a large number of stu¬ dents took part. The members of the cast of this are too numerous to be mentioned separately. Another rather different feature was a tap dance presented by Dorothy Murray and Ted Bishop. This pair performed at two of the Lits and were well appreciated by the audience. Of a more serious type was the French play, coached by Miss Teskey. The players were Enid Surrey, Avenir Nizoff, Edward Greene, Glen Short- liffe, Louis Rudolph, Gertrude Reichert, Leslie Mullett and Roy Stauffer. These young people astounded their hearers with their ability to converse in French. We fear it may have had a somewhat discouraging effect on some of those who are not quite as good as they might be in this subject. Debating took a large part in the programs this year. A large number of enthusiastic debaters thrilled their listeners with their stirring speeches. We were also permitted to hear the finals of the eliminations for the oratorical contest. Margaret MacMillan, speaking on “Disarmament,” and Glen Shortliffe, speaking on “The Way to Peace,” entertained us with some real oratory. Probably the most popular presentation of the year, however, was the “Beauty Contest,” put on at the last Lit. This was won by “Hattie Hob¬ bema” from Hobbema, played by Jimmy Walker, and “Lettie Loosebeam” from Leduc, played by Ronald McClung. These two boys deserve great praise for their skill in the art of applying make-up. The Ship of State was read at each Lit.

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20 Victoria High School GLEN SHORTLIFFE BETTY INGRAM DEBATING AND ORATORY (TTIj HE initial meeting of the V.H.S. debating club on October 23 began II! a year of real success. Inspired by the coaches, Miss Crawford and Mr. Smith, all the members took an active interest in the club. Scenes resembling fiery parliamentary debates were not uncommon, with every member burning with a desire to say something on the subject in question. The activity of the club increased by the joining up of long-loosed connections with other schools. On February 19, a joint meeting of East- wood and Victoria was arranged. The exciting informal debate which followed disclosed the enthusiasm of the members of both clubs. After eliminations within the club, Marjorie Riddell and Stanley Cummings were chosen as the Grade IX debaters to compete with Helen MacMillan and Pauline Johnston of Grade X, as the first step of settling the inter-grade contest for the Henry Shield. The final debate in the con¬ test was the latter team against Betty Ingram and Glen Shortliffe. The Shield was won by Grade XII in an exciting debate. In the past two years, Miss Crawford has selected and coached two students, Margaret Kinney and Dorothy Barnhouse, in such a way as to make them champion orators. This year Margaret MacMillan, speaking on “Disarmament,” and Glen Shortliffe on “The Way to Peace,” entered the oratorical field. After much preparation and coaching, an elimination contest was held, in which Glen won the honor of representing Vic in the Hugh A. Sharon contest. Lady Luck, however, was against us this time. Westmount won first place and Glen was forced to be content with third.