Winchester High School - Aberjona Yearbook (Winchester, MA)

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za ABERJONA . 1947 I First Row: L. Wade, M. Crosier, Eklund, S. Marchant, L. La Fontaine, C. Snyder, j. Keeler, D. Gulacker, N. Mergquist, G. Norian, F. Rush Second Row: A. Davies,j. Haskell, V. Walters, B. Gay, L. Augusta, L. Hottel, E. Baldacci, M. Frotton, B. Taylor Third Row: L. Bartlett,J. Donaghue, G. Hutchins, B. Coe, E. Caldwell. F. Pynn,J. Erhard, B. Chipman, C. Zinn Fourth Row: D. Smith, S. Caldwell, F. Strawbridge, R. Duckworth, R. Smith, N. Borden Songhirds The Chorus got under way in the early fall under the able direction of our new and clever director, Miss Violet Nardone, now Mrs. Waters. A new system of selection for the Special Chorus was adopted, that of try'outs, which resulted in a Mixed Glee Club of sixty-three members instead of the former two hundred. The students in Choral Music are arranged in two groups, the Special Glee Club, the admission to which is based upon the student's ability to read and sing music, and the regular music classes which meet during the school hours. The regular weekfday classes have selected from their groups members who choose songs on which the students vote. This has made the Chorus more interesting, for the students now sing songs of their own selection. Mrs. Waters has used the threefpart pieces, enabling the students to learn the songs more easily and quickly. Another innovation this year is a course in Music Appreciation, this course is an integral part of the Chorus program. About once a month records are brought in by the students and played to the group. Mrs. Waters then points out the flaws and the good points of each record. This course has also acquainted the students with some of the two hundred great composers and with the conductors of America in the past and present. The

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ABERJONA . 1947 27. First Row: C. Zinn, E. Moses, Beggs, Eklund, E. Rettenger, H. Sherman, E. Barrett Second Row: G. Barbaro, N. Borden, R. Richmond, Thomas, K. Brandt, R. Oxford, A. Albree, C. Fox Third Row: S. Aitkens, G. Hutchins, B, Coe, R. Duckworth, E. Zirkel, St. Clair, H. Blomquist, C. McGowan Fourth Row: R. McGrail, R. Keeney, D. Ducharme, W. O'Leary,j. Muehlig. S harpshoote rs Every Monday evening stran e things go on around the vicinity of McCormack's Drug Store. Sinister figures, armed with rifles, dart out of tie shadows and into a dark alley. But don't be alarmed g it's only Winchester High's newly formed Rifle Club assembling for their Weekly practice session. These practices are under the close supervision of the faculty adviser, Mr. Reed, who is ably assisted by Auxiliary Policemen Ralph Shadt, George Marvin, and Chief Robert Johnston, Sr. Mr. Shadt has engineered many improvements in the range, Professor Marvin has given instruction in the finer points of shooting and in the use of good equi ment, and Mr. Johnston has acquired much needed materials. The practices are held beneath the Star oflice. Tliiere, midst eerie shadows thrown by strong lights against the crissfcross of the shooting stalls, the Club members try their skill. A record of each weekis scores is kept, and competition for top honors runs high. Twentyftwo rifles and official N. R. A. targets are used. All targets with high enough scores are saved to send to the National Rifle Association. Badges are awarded according to the number and score of the targets. When the announcement of the formation of a Rifle Club was made, so many people turned out that it was impossible to accept them all for membership. As a result a squad of fifteen was chosen, preference being given to upperclassmen. Many of the members had had previous shooting experience at camp or at home, While some had never even held a rifle. After the first practice, however, everybody began to improve, until now the club members are shooting with skill in both rone and standing positions. The officers for this year are Ken Brandt, president, Roy O'Neil, vice' resident, Robert Oxford, executive officer 5 Allen Carlisle, secretary and treasurer. Plans are now under way fior the formation of a com eting team next year. Several of the surrounding schools already have teams, so that there should be no lack of, competition.

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gl ABERJONA . 1947 29 First Row: S. Jaclcson,J. Thomas, B. M. Elliott,j. Johnston, S. Neiley,j. Foley, B. Warsky, W. Whiting, D. Zimmerman, M. Straghan Second Row: V. Symmes, C. Babcoclc, S. Carlisle,1. Keefe, E. Barrett, C. Mahoney, E. Shoe- maker, Flanders, Beggs Third Row: E. Hood, R. Day, D. Ducharme, R. Hornehl. Morabito,j. Loftus, A. Antippas, C. Nelson, R. Morse Songliircls Selected Chorus meets on Mondays and Thursdays, the boys practice alone on Tuesdays, and the girls alone on Wednesdays. Because of the reduced size of the Selected Chorus, the members have been able to devote con- siderable time to rehearsing. The first appearance of the Chorus came during the Christmas season when a Christmas program, consisting of And the Glory of the Lord, The Christmas Hymn, and other selected pieces, Was presented to the Rotary Club by the Selected Chorus ensemble. Several small groups, composed of three or four singers, sang their selected pieces. Eben Caldwell and Barbara Elliott were among the most out' standing of these groups. Eben Caldwell sang Ave Marian and Barbara accompanied him at the piano. A few days later the same group presented a repeat performance to the school At this time also a selected group sang at the Marine and Cushing Hospitals. This group sang The Christmas Hyrnnf, White Christmas, and many others of the favorite Christmas hymns. Robert Horne and Eben Caldwell sang a duet of Silent Night accompanied at the piano by Barbara Elliott. After a successful Spring Concert consisting ofthe songs joyland, The March of the Toys, Donkey Serenade, Sweethearts, Evening Prayer, from Hansel and Gretel, and Deep River, the Chorus wound up the year with a delightful program given at graduation time.