The Daily Alaska empire. [volume] (Juneau, Alaska) 1926-1964, 1950-05-09
R0TARIAN5 HEAR
WELkE;; ENDORSE
SCHOOL BONDS

most music festivals, and musical
aggregations of a calibre to meet
competition anywhere-these were
among the outstanding factors OF
the First Southeast Alaska High
School Music Festival, in the view
of an expert.
Walter c. Welke, festival adjudi-
Gator. spoke glowingly of the week
end of music here, to members and
guests at the Rotary Club weekly
luncheon today in the Baranof Gold
Room.
mo band or chorus here would
need to take a back seat to any in
the states" Welke commented. LAS
I tried to explain at the concert
last night, those kids were playing
music they hadn't worked on l
brought it with me. I chose it de-
liberately for changes in tempo and
style, so they would have to watch
me. They don't really need to. you
know, in a march.
you can be proud of the way
they performed.
I'm fact" Welke concluded, you
can be proud of the entire festival,
of the kids, and of your hospitality"
Welke put in plug" for new
auditorium of good size, properly
treated acoustically. He deplored
the transiency of teachers. blaming
it chiefly on the fact that music
came in the back door" of new
territory. Welke prophesied that
this weakness will disappear-with
increasing interest in music and
other arts. as presently evidenced.
The noted visitor suggested that
every effort be made to get special
rates. or an appropriation for at
least part of transportation costs,
now the biggest problem in con-
tinuing the festival. 1t was men
toned later that Ketchikan, host
for the 1851 festival. had to raise
$4,000 to send participants here.
Welke has directed the University
of Washington Concert Band since
1929 and has served as adjudicator
Of numerous competitions in the
states.
He was introduced by DR.. 1. j.
Montgomery, whose daughter, Jean
(now Mrs. John Berg of Seattle)
was the first girl used in Welke's
marching band. (He pictured her,
five feet, one inch TALL with the
four big men who also played in
the percussion section, and said
they had christened her the little
drumbelle.")
DR.. C. Earl Albrecht. program
chairman, later introduced Joseph
M. Shofner, Juneau High School
Band director. whom he called the
"spearhead" Of the festival.
Shofner also commented that the
public here had shown more enthu-
siasm than at any similar event he
had attended. He reported that the
financial situation is good, some
$844 having been credited to date.
Ehofner also pointed out that stu
dents had gained in experience by
accepting responsibility and work.
ing out many details on their own.
"Firebalr' Albrecht and DR.. Mont
gomery. co-chairmen, were con-
graduated on the success OF the
Rotary Varieties which preceded
the Music Festival. Albrecht urged
support of the Mt. Edgecumbe
Chorus concert tonight, which ex-
tends Juneau's celebration OF Ma
tional Music Week and will provide
an artistic climax.
Neil Friedman announced the
County Fair being put on by the
Rotary-sponsored Cub Scout Pack
Saturday in the ABB Hail. He said.
Our Cubs supported us by selling
227 tickets to the VarietieS-let us
show we are interested in them"
Friedman said the doings from Z
to $3.50 pm. would be OF special in
terest to the public.
Turning the gavel over to the
Rev. Samuel McPhetres, secretary.
President Bob Akervick spoke
briefly on the school bond election
next Tuesday.
DR.. James C. Ryan, Territorial
Commissioner of Education, added
comment on the financing, saying
that, thanks to the earmarking OF
tobacco tax revenues, the bond is
sue probably can be retired, without
extra tax assessments, in 20 or 30