And didn't we feel special! Lynne scanned this from the Mt. Morris Index which reported, "Attired in their new uniforms for first appearance at half time during the Mt. Morris/Polo basketball game." A special fund was used to buy these uniforms with help from the PTA. Our director was Wayne Johnson, a graduate of Murray State College with a M.M. from Indiana University who also directed the choral groups, did arranging, and played trumpet in a local orchestra.
That year there were 50 band members--wouldn't that be about a fourth of the school body? We played at half time during the home football games and the half during the home basket ball games, the homecoming parade, the various special musical programs, school assemblies and the opening of the summer concert season at the bandshell on the campus. We also participated as a band and as individuals in band contests with other schools, and the Blackhawk Music Festival. Did we ever give a passing thought to the wonderful opportunities provided to us by our community and parents?
The trombones are completely out of view over on the left, but our class of '57 was well represented in that section--Steve B., Dwayne Z., Myron B., Sara Y., and Norma C. are there with a little help from senior Noel Mc. and sophomores Bob B. and Jim I.
Help me out if I misidentify the musician or instrument: Sylvia T., flute; clarinet--Neal J., Sharon R., Lynne F., Diane B., Francine K.; Priscilla D, French horn (shiny blonde hair in the photo); Nancy L., saxophone; Jon M., drums; trumpet--Salley O., and Darlene H. also Tom W. and Deb P. (I'm guessing here). I think it was either our junior or senior year that Nelson P. took up the bass, joined the band and entered musical contests. In our final year there were 8 seniors who played in a pep band--if you remember who--add it in the comments.
3 comments:
I can remember my mother being involved in those uniforms. My brother Neal played the clarinet. In 54-55 I was in 2nd grade, so I've no clear memories.
These uniforms were wool,warm and itchy. I can remember one Memorial Day parade the HS band was asked to play and march and it was unsually hot.Sara Y had a slumber party the night before and a lot of the girls were tired too.But we looked smirk and smart in our new uniforms and they as new as our new high school. We did indeed did have the best of it all.Nancy l is right when she says we didn't realize how good we had it.
We are the music-makers,And the dreamers of dreams,Wandering by lone sea-breakers,and sitting by desolate streams- World-losers and world forsakers, On whom the pale moon gleams:Yet we are the movers and shakers of the wolrd forever,it seems.For each age is a dream that is dying,or one that is coming to birth...-Arthur O'Shaughessy
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