1940s
A Small-City Girl in the Big Apple
by Annetta M. Siebert
Lyco Choir, circa 1940
by Elizabeth Harrison Maule
Mary and Glen
by William Gehron, Jr.
A Small-City
Girl in the Big Apple by Annetta M. Siebert
The outstanding event during the year I was in the
choir (1939–40) was a trip – my first – to New
York City. We girls stayed at the Barbizon Plaza Hotel for Women
with a continental breakfast in our rooms. We did a lot of sightseeing,
but the highlight of the trip was a tour of and attending a service
at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Big doings for a small-city
girl!!
Lyco Choir, circa 1940
by Elizabeth Harrison Maule
The Vocal Ensemble directed by Myra Bates went to
NYC to the opera in 1940. We stayed at the Pennsylvania Hotel, where
Glenn Miller and his orchestra were staying. The opera we saw was
"The Marriage of Figaro" starring Ezio Pinza. We went
to the Capital Theater to see Glenn Miller and his orchestra. Some
enjoyed that more than the opera, sorry to say. I was Librarian
for the Vocal Ensemble. We also did "The Messiah" with
combined college choirs.
Florence Dewey directed the Chapel Choir and also the choir at Mulberry
Methodist Church. She combined the two and we did the Gilbert and
Sullivan operetta "The Pirates of Penzance." I was fortunate
to belong to both choirs.
The Chapel Choir sponsored a fashion show in cooperation with L.L.
Stearns Department Store on April 15, 1940.
Mary and Glen
by William Gehron, Jr.
The courtship of Miss Mary Landon and Mr. Glen Russell
was a thing of beauty!
As an aspiring applicant for West Point admission, which occurred,
and a beautiful, charming accomplished musician, they made a handsome
couple.
As a member of the Double Male Quartet that sang in many different
locations, I rode along with them since Glen drove past my house
on the way.
I still feel sad when I realize Glen's early death as a lieutenant
in the U.S. Air Corps in an accident was a tragic ending to an idyllic
romance.
|
