Ilion High School - Class of 1945

Herkimer Evening Telegram - April 17, 1945

IHS Band Makes Debut In New Classy Outfit

Article 11

IHS Band Makes Debut In New Classy Outfit

Ilion - The Frederic Fay SWift directed Ilion High School Band attired for the first time in their new navy blue uniforms, won rounds of applause last night at a concert sponsored by the music department to pay for the uniforms.

After waiting several months, 65 band members were finally given an opportunity to make their debut, clad in $36 uniforms patterned after that worn by a Navy midshipman.

Except for gold braid on the cuffs and hats, the only other trim was the National War Music citation cord over the left shoulder. It was originally planned to have uniforms of brown and gold, but government restrictions on wool altered those intentions.

Brown, however, is cleverly interwoven in the gold braid, thus carrying out the school colors theme.

Memorialize President

Nearly 600 attended the concert which opened with "Taps" in memory of President Roosevelt and five former band members who died in service, Ralph Baum, John Cole, Gordon Davies, Walter Snyder and Clyde Woertendyke.

"Pavanne" from Morton Gould's Second American Symphonette, was particularly delightful in its unique interplay of melody between the sousaphone, trumpet, saxophone and trombone. Director Swift announced the "Scarlet Mask Overture" would be the selection used at the State School Music Association festival here May 11 and 12.

The group's versatility was shown in their rendition of "Boogie Woogie Band" with Russ Harter pounding the drums and Sid Partington displaying his trumpet ability.

Other selections included "Honors of the Day March," by Hummel, conducted by Miss Norma Wood, former band member.

Charles Seiler, flute player, presented Swift with a gift in the band's behalf who wanted to express "their gratitude tangibly for all Swift had done for them."

Girls' Choir Has Charm

Preceding the band concert the girls' choir, arrayed is light colors of Spring, presented four selections in a professional manner. They included "Pale Moon," with Carolyn Hoeschele as soloist; and "I'll See You Again," with Clara Burdick as soloist.

Later the boys joined to form the Varsity Choir. Friml's "Donkey Serenade," requested more often than any other in their repertoire, again proved the most popular. The persistent rhythmic beat of donkey's hoofs, together with other special south-of-the-border sound effects, exercised an almost hypnotic influence on listeners, who craved repetition. These realistic effects were managed by Charles Allen, Russ Harter, William Irwin and Robert Jay.

"Battle Hymn of the Republic" was sung in memory of the president and the entire audience joined in the last verse. Betty Van Wiggeren and Marion Baker, accompanists, displayed the technical pianistic excitement which the piece affords in its duet arrangement.

Band members have earned over $1,000 toward the uniform fund which exceeds $2,000.