West Bend High School - Bend Yearbook (West Bend, WI)

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Music in the Modern Manner When our spirits lag, or we get discouraged at the trend of a game, the band comes to the rescue with a zippy march or a stirring overture. Because of its power to inspire enthusiasm, the band plays at all the athletic contests, pep-meetings, and other functions where a lot of good cheer and courage are needed. The shiny instruments and definite rhythm of the band in action is enough to arouse anyoneis sporting blood. To add spice to the occasion, musical programs are planned that call for audience participation. Everyone likes to be fooled in the hand-clapping song, and it's a pleasant change for the students to be allowed to whistle in school in time to music. The band is divided into two sections of thirty- eight and forty members. The two divisions alter- nate in performing. Although Mr. Christensen may sometimes be perplexed at how many square feet of basses and how many square feet of players can be packed in the available practice space, and how many different noises can come out of one instrumentg still all's Well that ends well, and our band usually makes a good showing at the music festivals. For the person with a quiet nature who doesn't care for strenuous music, there is the orchestra com- posed of thirty-two members. The orchestra doesn't ...andthe Sweet notes, swing notes, half notes, quarter notes, and just notes go floating around the music room on Mondays, for that's the day the girls' glee club meets. Some 60 girls from all the classes gather here under the guidance of Mr. Christensen for the ex- press purpose of having a good sing. As is the usual case when 60 young girls get together, a current of good fellowship crackles and sparks through the atmosphere. This youthful energy is finally harnessed, converted, and released as music that stirs emotions. As the girls sing, one is conscious of a feeling of cooperation. The individual voices lose their identity as they blend in the waves of music that rise and fall and carry the spirit of their song to the listener. Out of the glee club some of the girls are chosen to sing with the boys in the mixed chorus. This group is much in demand by the various clubs and church organizations in town. For those whose love of good music does not stop at the mechanics of singing, the Music Appre- Page Ten play as often as the band, but this year for the first time it entered the music tournament at Waupun. lndividual members entered fourteen solo events at the tournament at Whitewater. An unusually good record was made when eight of them came through with firsts. Entered in Class A, Mirabel Hansen won with her violin selection, and in Class B Ralph Butler's vocal solo, Margaret Gummis piano number, and Carol I-lansenis cello solo rated firsts. Carol and Mirabel combined in a string duet to get another first division, While Mar- gie Nielsen, Margaret Gumm, Elmer Schmidt, and Calvin Claus did the same with their vocal quartet. ln Class C Quintin Schowalter's singing and Cal Claus' tuba playing gave them firsts, too. i' 1. A dash of glamour --a touch of taste, snap and sparkle as the majorettes lead the band on parade. Top center, reading clockwise: A. Riesch, B. Danneman, J. Flaherty, M. Gumm, A. Klug, M. Nielsen, R. Schacht, J. Sampson, C. Groom, F. Nielsen, M. Gonnering. 2. Violin, Piano, and Cello plus M. Hansen, G. Grogan, and C. Hansen equals music. 3. These seniors carried West Bend's music banners for four years. Top row: H. Kannenberg, L. Hausmann, C. Abel, E. Schmidt, D. Schroeder, M. Hansen, A, Cechvala, C. Huber. Center Row: R. Butler, F. Nielsen, H. Cechvala, G. Lenz, M. Koch, R. Bennett. Bottom Row: B. Kremsreiter, D. Schemmel, R. Yaerling, M. Mouzakis, K, Driessel, E. Harns. Choruses Sing ciation Club exists. The club is new this year and was started by a group of students having a deep interest in music. It was not hard for them to secure faculty support because of the worthwhile goal. At the meetings the great musicians and composers of all time are discussed and their style criticized. Then their works are played on the phonograph and com- mented upon. For example, at one meeting a report was given on the life of Franz Schubert. Since several versions of his life story exist, each was presented and dis- cussed. Then his Unfinished Symphony, Ave Marie, Serenada and Rosamunde Suite were played. ln this manner students familiarize themselves with the classics and learn to absorb and appreciate the subtle beauties of musical masterpieces. 'A' 4. Bach and Brahms get their share of attention from the Music Appreciation Club. 5. Not piano movers, but soloists and duetists of the Musical Variety Show. B. Special Harmony makes them the Special Chorus.

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