The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-11-23

First appearance Of the grade
school musicians this year will be
at the annual Christmas concert
when a special arrangement OF
Why the Chimes Rang will be
presented.
Music Steps Out
In South Tacoma
CONTINUED From Page Four
Along with that was a back
ground of preparation which
included n degree from North
western university, Evanston,
Ill.
Beginners in instrumental study
start with the fundamentals, try
them out in the junior orchestra
and then go to the senior orches-
ira. If you ask South Tacoma, the
orchestra measures up TO every re-
quirement that could be expected
of an organization of junior high
grade. That opinion was confirmed
when the orchestra put on a spe-
cial performance for the music
editor of The Times the other dav.
One of the reasons to which can
be attributed the fine work this
group is doing is the obvious con-
fidence in the teacher and director.
In addition TO his work at Gray
school, Mr.. Anderberg is instru-
mental instructor in several of the
elementary schools.
Vocal music at Gray school
took on a new impetus when
Alfred Actor came from We
natchee, the Apple Capital of
America" 10 Tacoma, the
Lumber Capital of America"
two years ago. In Wenatchee
he had put vocal work on
substantial basis In the public
schools and he started ON the
same program at Gray.
His coming TO the Tacoma sys-
tenn was not an accident. Louis G.
Wersen. supervisor of music, had
been keeping track of him for
some time and he was recommend
ed for the position in South Taco
ma when he seemed to have devel-
oped the type of procedure re-
CURED here.
For his educational background
there had been work at Washing
ton State college, Pullman; normal
training at Cheney, and advanced
study at the University of Wash
ington. He is now studying for a
masters degree.
In the vocal field Gray school
claims distinction for the mixed
chorus. A demonstration for the
music editor of The Times the
other day sustained all the good
things that have been said about
IL. An unusual feature OF the
group is the bass section. Bows of
junior high school age as a rule do
not have heavy bass voices. At
Gray there is an exception to the
rule. The bass section has the
deep. mellow tone that adds so
much to a chorus.
Frank Nurding, organist and
choir master ut the First
Presbyterian church, heard the
Gray chorus sing the other
day. He liked the work so well
that he invited the group TO
take over the church music
for the morning service Sun
day. Dec. 8. Assisting the
chorus will he the Gray school
male quartet.
Newest music development at
Gray school is the girls sextette.
This group made its first public
appearance at an assembly We'd
nesday morning. II was so good
that everybody wondered why it
hadn't been done before. Members
of the group are Donna Green,
Eleanor Bach, Doris Halseth, Jean
Halroyd, Martha Stark, Dorothy
Playford.
Taking Mr. Actors experience
for it, one good way to become
proficient in music is to get job
with the United States forest serv-
ice. For several years he has been
a regular employee in the service
during the fire hazard period in
the summer when the regular staff
is increased. With radio. guitar,
trumpet, and some music text
books he goes into the seclusion of
the forest for music study and ex-
perience. He can make all the
noise he wants without fear Of dis
turbing the neighbors.
And as long as the low down
on the Gray school vocal conduc-
tor is being given it might just as
well be added that he has a family
which includes a wife. daughter
two years old. and a son three anc
half months. Other than that he
likes church work and is nov
director Of the Trinity Methodist
church choir.
Music study at Gray school Ia:
brought an enlarged cultural out,
look to South Tacoma From IN,
school music has gone into tn,
homes. Blowing a horn or playing
a fiddle or beating a drum Ia,
been found in many instances Il
: have solved disciplinary problems
/ The opportunity given in the pub
lie school music classes has awak