Westville High School - Echo Yearbook (Westville, IN)

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Westville Department of Music That the Department of Music plays no small part in the success of the Westville High School and Graded schools should be recognized by students and patrons. The history of the department dates back to about 1908, At that time a Miss Noble had charge of the music. The work consisted principally of chorus. There are many in this community who say that she was a re- markable supervisor and chorus director. The work was conducted by Florence Hershman, 1909-1910. She was a graduate of the Valparaiso University School of Music. Beulah May- horter followed her, and also took charge of the Pinhook school. She was also a graduate of Valparaiso. At the time she taught here she had charge at Kingsbury also and supervised the Art work of both schools. Under her direction the grades presented the operetta, The House Jack Built, in the spring of 1914. This was a decided success. E. J- Leach directed the music during the year 1914-1915. He believed that pupils should learn a great number of the more common songs, and in this direction he labored. Near the end of that school year the grades gave a miscellaneous song service at the Methodist church which was well at- tended. Mr. Leach also had charge of the Westville Girls' Band at the time he taught here. The next year Westville became one of a circuit of five schools. Mary Ballard was put on this circuit and spent one day each week at the school. The entire course was revised with her arrival and divided into the follow- ing branches: Music, Theory, Music History, Chorus and Glee Club work. This plan, with slight changes, remains at present, Miss Ballard, or Mary as she was called, took a very great interest in all the students and the success she had with the Chorus is a testimonial to her ability. Besides assisting with the musical numbers of the High School plays, she presented in 1917, a grade Cantata entitled, The Happy Family of Father Time. Elizabeth McCartney taught the music the following year, remaining only the one year. Two years ago Rosalie Sidell was called to guide the department. She is still in charge. Her work has been very successful along every line. With the aid of the phonograph she has caused even the smaller pupils to become acquainted with the various instruments of the orchestra. The phonograph is used also in the teaching of Standard Opera to the History of Music Class. Her presentations of In a Flower Garden at Cattron Hall in 1919 was a very decided success. The school could do a great deal more along the line of Community singing if it had a room suiliciently large to house the entire student en-

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rollment. Community singing has come to be recognized as one of the principal factors in teaching Americanism and in uniting the common in- terests of the neighborhood. -The Music Department possesses a good piano, two phonographs with a good supply of records and sufficient song books for all pupils- We ask that you give to the music teacher and her work your earliest support. There was a Romany Lass Who came to the Senior Class. And she said: If you'll give me a quarter, I'll tell you whether you'll pass. The Seniors all being girls, Defiantly shook their curls, But later, less furious, And ever more curious, They agreed: We will try you a whirl. ... -- An earthworm, on being torn to pieces, regenerates the lost part. Sup- pose an earthWorm's wife should be cut in two pieces. Would he have two wives or one? .-1...-11- Teacher-Henry, what is a hypocrite? Henry-A hypocrite is a kid wot comes to school with a smile on his face. I think of witty things to say- I'd be considered bright Except that I always think of them In the middle of the night. ....l...-1 Teacher-The Centaurs were creatures with the head and arms of a man and the body of a horse. Billy-Gee! What a combination for bathin' and base runnin'! Miss Smick-What advantage to a monastery is having a stream nearby? Cecelia-The monks can fish.