Hazleton High School 1948 Yearbook (Hazleton, PA)

JAMES GEFFERT

My three years in the Hazleton Senior High School Band have shown me that the partic–

ipant receives more from music than the non-participant realizes. Some students believe that

a band member's aim upon entering the organization and leaving it three years later is an easy

credit. The degree of advancement offered by a band is not understood by an individual who

entertains such beliefs. An overture of accelerated rhythm or a heavy concert band arrange–

ment \vith various and confusing tempos provides the indulgent with an in ight to finer musical

aspirations. Music is our means of transition to nature. A love for the beauty of nature is in–

fused into the band member by the rhythmic strains of "Waltz of the Flower." by Tschaikow–

sky, while John Phillip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever" sends a patriotic thrill to the listener

through the musician.

has been said: "Travel broadens the mind." Figuratively speaking, my band work

during the past three years has been my magic carpet for my travels around the world. Our

rendition of "In a Persian Market" swept me through the bustling streets in a Persian City.

I saw the jugglers put on their act; I heard the snake charmers playing their weird melodies;

I saw beggars in the streets crying, "Alms! Alms!"; I saw royalty in the per:>on of the Queen

enter the scene causing a hush to fall upon the market place. My band work carried me south

of the border in "Caribbean Fantasy" where I saw the senoritas and caballeros dancing in the

streets amid the beating of tom-toms and the clicking of castanets. In "Song of the South" I

traveled through the "Old South" and heard the plantation slave singing the beautiful south–

ern ballads for which they are noted. In this respect alone the fecundity of my band work

would suffice.

Does a band build character? The traits of character which develop from band work are

innumerable. I firmly believe that the band possesses more potential character building out–

lets than are offered in any other cia room in our school. Playing at football and basketball

games, in parades, at community functions, in a concert, orin an assembly requires something

more than intonation. The director must have confidence in his band personnel when he calls

a practice. Thu , he feels assured that each member is dependable and co-operative. Care of

school instruments requires responsibility. Solo appearances by a band member call for ini–

tiative and self-reliance. To be a success in our band, one must possess tact in order to live

each band period harmoniously with his fellow members. Responsibility, dependability, ini–

tiative, tact, teamwork, and self-reliance are but a few of the traits derived from band work.

To the school, the Hazleton High School Band means a group of musicians who will repre–

sent the school in parades and at games. To the community, it means a group of sixty-five (65)

unHormed persons available at any time to march in a parade or to play at some community

function. To me, the Hazleton High School Band means an opportunity to obtain something

more than the knowledge of academic subjects.

is a means of expressing my feeling in music,

for there is a song for every mood.

is also a means of spurring onward my imagination, and

it enables me to perceive what part my instrument plays in creating a beautiful melody. It

is my means of happiness and relaxation- my scholastic Utopia.

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