Newspapers / The New Bern Mirror … / June 12, 1959, edition 1 / Page 1
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It hardly seems possible that 20 years have passed since our town had an historical celebration, to highlight the 175th anniversary of the founding of the New Bern Pub lic School. May 4, 1939, was as full a day as you could imagine. In the morn ing there were historical pilgrim ages, open house at old homes, displays of relics and a yacht flo tilla off East Front street. In the afternoon, at Kafer Park, there was an eduational program, with Superintendent H. B. Smith of the City Schools presiding. Addres ses were delivered by Governor Clyde R. Hoey, Lt. Gov. W. P. Hor ton, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Clyde A. Ervin, Con gressman Graham A. Barden, Speaker of the House D. L. Ward, and others. A concert by the North Carolina State college band followed, under the direction of Major Christian D. Kutschinski. And that night, at a Colonial Ball in the New Bern Armory that didn’t have its start ing time until 11 p.m. Paul Moore and his 14 State Collegians pro vided the music. Earlier, at 8 p.m. a pageant writ ten by Mrs. J. S. Claypoole entitled “The Torch Leads On” was present ed at Kafer Park. John A. Walker, State Director of the Federal The ater project was the producer, while Robert L. Pugh, superintend ent of schools in Craven county was the reader. The puej^t pplogue depicted the^baek^oiind- fw louncKng we schoolv. and' covered the period from 1710 to 1784^ E^kisode I show> ed the first day of school in 1764. Succeeding episodes offered a ball at Tryon Palace in 1775, a meeting of the board of trustees of the Academy in 1784, Dr. Elias Hawe’s Free School in 1800, the Lancastri an School in 1838, the Griffin Free School in 1950, and the fall of New Bern in 1862. A roll of honor, covering the span from 1800 to 1900 followed, topped off by a colorful grand fi nale. Dame Nature gave her bless ing to the occasion by providing excellent weather. Hundred of New Bernians had roles in the pageant, and hundreds more served on the 23 committees that brought the celebration into reality. For once, most of the com mittees appointed functioned ad mirably. One of the intriguing things about the pageant was the revela tion that no one ever really knew who Moses Griffin was. This de spite the fact that, up until the erection of our modern New Bern High school a few years ago, thous ands of New Bernians attended high school in a building named for him. It isn’t known where he came from, or how he lived. Said to have been quiet and inoffensive, he was reportedly a poor man who mingled little while working hard and asking charity of none. Then one day he passed away, unhonored and unsung. After his death, the town was surprised to learn that, thanks to his thrift and modest mode of life, he had left a small fortune to be used in or ganizing a school for the less fortu nate children of New Bern. Among other things, the pageant utilized citizens as actors and ac tresses who made no claim to being old hands in theatrical presenta tions. Yet, their performances were creditable to say the least. For a fleeting day and night, the clock was rolled back to remind natives and visitors alike of the great heritage in the realm of edu cation that was left us by our an cestors. Few of us give the matter much thought, but one of the many things we can be proud of is the The NEW BERN PUBLISHED WEEKLY IN THE HEART OF EASTERN* NORTH CAROLINA 5 Per Copy VOLUME 2 NEW BERN, N. C„ FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 1959 NUMBER 10 really living—^Who wants to zip across the country in a jet, or take a rocket ride into outer space? There’s more fun to be had close at hand, and these happy folks are dis covering as much in: the lYmitt Bines, area. Raiding and skiing are both delightful in the Land of Enchanting Wa ters.—^Photo by Billy Benners. New Bern's Choral Workshop Is All Set for Second Summer It’s that time again—time to lim ber up your vocal chords for New Bern second annual Summer Chor al Workshop. With Donald Smith, director of music at New Bern High school, as instructor, the seven-week ses sion gets underway in the high school band room Tuesday night, June 23. Classes are to ■ continue each Tuesday night through August 4. They start at 8 p.m. and will run to approximately 9:15 p.m. Smith came up with the idea last year that such a workshop would prove of real benefit, not only to the trained singer but to the novice who can’t read music but has talent and a desire to learn. All phases of choral work are covered. Choirs and choir conduct ors alike, along with the newcom er, stand to profit from the know how of a man who has literally transformed New Bern’s music since he shuffled into town from Buffalo two decades ago. Having Studied under the best, he has been able to pass along his knowledge to hundreds of others in the community. At the local high school his boys chorus, girls chor us and a capella choir have achiev- early contribution made here to the cause of enlightenment and knowledge—not for just a favored few but for all people rich and poor. Here, at an early date, citizens realized that no town, state or na tion can achieve its true destiny so long as ignorance abides within its midst. For that realization we can all be deeply grateful. ed standards that approach the col lege level. Some of these youngsters have graduated to the choir of New Bern’s First Baptist church, where Smith is the director and has had notable success. And, in other church choirs throughout the city, you’ll find former students of the pint-sized Yankee giving voice to sacred music. Although the Summer Choral Workshop will give plenty of em phasis to church music, there will also be ample attention paid ^ to popular songs of the day. Smith’s greatest asset as a music instructor i»his versatility. Neither his interest nor his ability is re stricted to one particular field. Hence, he is well qualified to delve into all areas of melody, and come up with nuggets of song. Seldom does such a Jack-of-all- Trades emerge as a master, blit the director of the Summer Choral Workshop has managed to do just that. Smith isn’t one to skim over his chores lightly. As a matter of fact, he is a perfectionist. No one knows that better than his singers at New Bern High. He’ll labor for hours to smooth out the tiniest flaw, and won’t tolerate less than maximum effort from his choruses and choir. Yet, his keen sense of humor, and the faith and pride he has in the teen-agers he works with, brings him both love and respect. There isn’t a youngster in the lot who doesn’t regard him with an affection that approaches hero wor ship. In the Summer Choral Workshop things will go at a more relaxing pace that Smith’s usual ventures. There will be no concert to pre pare for, no deadlines to meet. A lot will be learned, but if there’s an easy and an enjoyable way to do it, the workshop will uti lize it. The singer who can’t read music will get suggestions and practical methods for aiding him in this respect. . As for the choir conductor who (Continued on back page)
The New Bern Mirror (New Bern, N.C.)
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June 12, 1959, edition 1
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