Christian Brothers Band and Chorus May 1st 1948 in Ellis Auditorium
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS HIGH SCHOOL BAND
Detailed History
1947-1948
Christian Brothers Band and Chorus May 1st 1948 in Ellis Auditorium
After getting his feet firmly set, Ralph Hale Decided to advance the band to
Class A, and complete with the best bands in the region. In a short time
the students showed vast Musical improvement. The Band Budget this year
included 6 parade drums for $540, one bass drum for $75, one tuba for $400, one
Alto Clarinet for $100, two french horns for $500, one Bass Clarinet for $400,
one Oboe for $400, and one flute for $100.
On May 1st, in Ellis Auditorium,
commemorating the American Centennial of the Christian Brothers and the Diamond
Jubille of Christian Brothers College the Christian Brothers performed their
Annual Spring Concert. The concert was a success and was further proof of
the caliber of the musicians that make up the band. The Concert Band was
awarded a first division rating in Class A competition in West Tennessee during
the spring. On the list of its achievements was a three-day concert tour
through Cleveland, Greenville, and Clarksdale, Miss.
Many of the boys in the band were
presented with awards at the annual band banquet held in early May. The
band personnel presented to Mr. Hale a modernistic metal conductor's stand in
appreciation of his fine leadership. Brother Raphael presented the
following awards to the band members.
Both medals and letter for earning a
net of 100 band merits were awarded to John Nail, Raymond Vun Kannon, John
Dozier, Richard Mosteller, Conrad Lemm, Dick Moseley, Kenneth Bennett, Frank
Prichard, Joe Green, Howard Carson, Oscar Crofford, Grover Jones, Jimmy Higgins,
Joe Taylor, Al Gross, John Hartloper, and Jack Reilly.
Band letters for achieveing a net of
50 or more merits went to the following: Joe Waltermath, Louis Jacobson,
Jay Ehrlicher, Ronnie Waschka, Larry Campagna, Joe Lee, Jack Borg, James Hanna,
Lee Dixon, Jim Anchors, Richard Scianni, Herrington Ragsdale, Charles Cahill,
Louis Werne.
Special Awards were given to the
following, Harrington Ragsdale for Best Spirit, Ronnie Waschka, Joe Lee, Charles
Cahill for Perfect Attendance, Jack Althherr for most improvement, Richard
Mosteller and Richard Scienni as most valuable (What would be known as the Arion
Award), J.C. Johnston as most valuable in basic band, and Joe Saino as most
improvement in basic band.
A Basic Band also began in February
of this year. The band practiced twice a week after school hours in order to
allow those who had not yet enrolled in Christian Brothers. Richard
Scianni student conducted the band with training from Brother Raphael.
Entering the West Tennesse
Band Festival for the third successive year, Christian Brothers' College,
Memphis, oce again recieved a superior rating but with this difference:
The band entered class A, which is one above its regular status according to
enrollment. Bands are classified as follows: Class A, 750 or more; class
BB, 400 to 750; class B, 250 to 400; class CC, 100 to 250; class C, below 100;
and class D, beginner bands.
Regulations, however, allow a band to enter a class higher if
is so wishes, although no band may enter a class lower.
Not only did C.B.C. band gain a superior ratin in concert
band work but it also took top honors in solo and ensemble work. Out of 29
entries, 18 gained a rating of I (superior) and the remaining 11 all were
classified as II (excellent). In all, the boys of C.B.C. won 77 medals, 52
superiors, and 25 excellent. The total list of entrants includes the
following: Three brass sextets, one horn quartet, two trumpet trios, one
trumpet duet, two trumpet solos, two baritone solos, two horn solos, two
trombone solos, one trombone quartet, one brass quartet, one drum quintet, one
drum quartet, two drum solos, three clarinet quartets, one clarinet trio, one
clarinet duet, and three clarinet solos.
West Tennessee was especially favored in its judges for this
festival contest: N.W. Hovey of the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music,
Indianapolis, Ind., a specialist in woodwinds; and Clarence Gates, instrumental
superior of the Tulsa, Oakla., school system, an expert in brass and percussion.
Ole Miss-Boston College Game 1948
Christian Brothers Band performes "When You Wore a Tulip"
CBHS Marched and played the song "When You Wore A Tulip"
CBHS Band Sponsors
Left to right: Sally Webb (Sacred Heart), Anita Rector (St.
Thomas), Doloris West (Sacred Heart), Jean Donnelly (Holy Names) Marilyn
McNamara (St. Agnes), Delia Herbers (Holy Names), Betty Wiley (St. Thomas)
All State Band held in Chattanooga
Left to right: John Nail,
1947-48 Band Officers
left to right: Jack Reilly - Vice President, Oscar Crofford -
Secretary, Grover (Buck) Jones - Librarian, Richard Mosteller -
President
Richard Mosteller - Band President
Graduating Seniors
Edward John Althers, Jr.
James A. Anchors
Jack P. Berg
Charles J. Cahill - Memphis State College, navy School of Music, Non-Union dance
bands
Grover C. Jones, Jr.
Richard Mosteller - Memphis State College, American Federation of Musicans, Army
Band.
H. L. "Dooney" Ragsdale - Memphis State College, Army Band, American Federation of Muscians
Joseph F. Walremath
Joseph Allan Taylor - Memphis State College, Navy School of Music, Non-Union
dance bands
Kenneth Bennet - Memphis State
James Wilson - Memphis State