December, 1949
THE DIALETTE
Page 3
Our Dean steps out from behind his desk three times weekly to
pick up his baton and lead his conducting class.
Dorm Doings , . .
Charlotte Burgess
Any resemblence of the dormi
tories to beehives is purely co-in
cidental. With the Christmas sea
son here we really don’t know
whether we are coming or going.
The lobbies are full of seeming
ly double-jointed acrobats, who,
in reality, are just girls trying
to do away (inf our days) with
the results of four months’ over
eating. It’s worth trying, though.
On the other hand, the snack
rooms are amply caring for the
few who are trying to regain
what four months of hard study
has taken from them — also the
numerous poor creatures without
will power.
* * * * *
There are actually times when
a deathly silence reigns through
the halls. It could be due to the
fact that Shakespeare and Hy
giene term papers are in the mak
ing - aided, of course, by Mr. Mil
ler’s and Miss Anderson’s read
ing lists.
* ♦ jf;
The m.onitors on duty are being
Vd a merry chase during study
hall. The air is fairly singing
w'th secrets that can’t wait to be
told. One monitor when asked
vhat caused her numerous frowns
cave an answer which may be
boiled down to this: “She who
loveth the sound of her own voice
raised in argumentation.” “She
who lighteneth study hall with
mirthful conversation and plent
eous food.” and, “She whose
whereabouts cannot be discovered
after room bell.”
^ ♦ ♦ ♦ * ^ ^
We wonder at times how some
girls rate so many different dates.
They seem to come in shifts. What
is going to happen when number
two shows up five minutes early
and finds number one in the act
of saying goodbye? Ed-in-chief,
we are asking you!
4; « 4c 9|e % ^
We hear that Maggie is the
owner of a silver coffee pot that
is never empty, and in which cof
fee never grows cold. It would
certainly be a blessing during
exam-studying time. Some claim
that this coffee pot really exists,
but my guess is that it is another
of Maggie’s poems. You might
cheek up on the rumor.
* * * * ♦ S(C 5)«
Outsiders would be quite as
tonished if they could hear all our
talk about angels and mortals this
week. The good deeds were well
worth their time, and loads of fun
too. The new girls - if they can
still be called such - have sum
med it up with “nice work.”
*#***♦:(
Good will seems to reign, and
why not? It’s Christmas!
The Story Of Dean Hollis’s “Eight Little
Conductors And How They Are Growing”
By Betty Gibbs
“Good morning, students” is the cheery call which greets Dean
Hollis’s conducting class; and an equally cheery answer come back,
“Good morning. Dean Hollis,” for there are eight young ladies in
school who are “rarin’ to go” when class time rolls round. Yes, Pat,
Betty, Jerry, Mary Lily, Catherine, Agnes, Barbara, and Mirta break
all the unwritten rules of before-class behavior by arriving in the
Chapel early to practice and can be (and often are) seen, with book
in one hand, baton in the other, going through motions which, though
sometimes questionable now, will someday direct choral groups.
The first part of the year’s classes were spent in getting the “beat
patterns” mastered. To those who raise an eyebrow after reading
that sentence, beat patterns consist of the movements the hands make
according to the time signature of the different pieces of music. You
know - one, two, three, or one, two, three, four, etc! But now, the
Dean is introducing the uses of the left hand; and though the girls
say they KNOW how it’s done, they just can’t quite manage these
new motions yet! Says the Dean, “It all comes with practice!”
So far, “The Hymnal for Christian Worship” and “The Presbyter
ian Hymnal” (referred to as the green one and the blue one) have been
the text books; but the plan is to start working on anthems soon.
This seems like a big step to the girls - and is a good sign that they’re
getting to know something about this business of conducting. Don’t
let it be a surprise if one day you find eight newly-organized little
choirs on the campus, with one of these young “To be’s” behind the
batons. They’re all bubbling over with enthusiasm.
Dean Hollis is sometimes surprised by a sudden bit of gracefulness
on the part of his students - and is always pleased with evidences of
serious practice. He has a winning way of encouraging good work
and he feels that the girls are doing well.
The class sometimes varies from the usual procedure by a discussion
of the latest concert, such as the Robert Shaw Chorale, or the part
music plays in the worship service. Dean Hollis feels that this is a
good way to acquaint the girls with the many things with which the
conductor must be familiar.
When the class is over, the girls usually come out humming and
waving batons - to the distress of any who have to pass by in the
halls - and wait impatiently the time for the next class.
—Our own Cordie Hylton got
a by-line for a front page article
in the Asheville TIMES. We’re
proud of her indeed!
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