Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1956-06-30

He says without reservation that
a college education is essential to
the music career he hopes to per-
form.
In addition to compiling an
amazing academic record in high
school, Toby participated in the
school band, the choir, and the de-
batting team. His favorite subjects
are music, science and history, but
to show that he has his likes and
dislikes even as his classmates do,
he says that biology is the sub
ject he likes least. He is assisted
in his studies by Louis Beverly of
Laurel, Miss, also a freshman ma
joring in music. Beverly reads
each assignment to him twice. AS
he reads, Toby makes notes and
writes in Braille questions about
what has been read to him. Asked
how he felt about this new and
different type of experience, Bev-
erly who is veteran of the armed
services replied, "Toby has given
me more inspiration than any other
single experience"
In 1949, Toby toured the north
ern part Of the United States with
a group of singers from Piney
Woods School. He said that it was
during this tour that he got an
idea about the vast scope of our
country.
Miss Martha Foxx, Principal of
the Mississippi School for the
Blind, Jackson, says that Toby was
always pupil who enjoyed ex-
ceiling in his studies. When he
had been in school a half term he
was given a psychological test
which showed that he should be
in the second grade instead of the
first. Concluding, Miss Foxx said
Toby then went merrily along
from grade to grade enjoying to
the fullest all activities until he
reached the eighth grade.
Another one Of his boosters is
Mrs. Gladys P. Henry, piano in
structor at Jackson State College.
Mrs. Henry says Toby is one of
the most interesting students she
has ever taught. Rarely does she
ever have a student who is jovial
all the time, but Toby is just that.
Discussing this remarkable young
man at length, she states that he
became quite independent soon af-
ter enrolling as student at Jack
son State. He readily began COM
ing to the studio without assist
ance. Upon entering, if student
is completing his lesson, Toby be-
gins humming softly to himself
the tune that is being played. When
he sits himself to the piano and
is asked if he is ready to begin
playing, he says "Right-o."
Piano compositions learned by
Toby are dictated by the teacher
rather than by his reader because
it can be done quicker this way.
Toby always brings his equipment
for writing. First he is given in
formation relating to the composer,
and the style and form of the COM
position. He is given the key and
the signature and then the notes,
rests, majors, ETC., are dictated
for the treble staff and the part
played by the right hand followed
by the same thing for the bass
staff played by the left hand. Ger
tain portions of the composition
are dictated at each lesson. At the
next lesson Toby has memorized
what was written at the previous
lesson. The fingers are checked
as he plays. After the entire piece
is learned he is taught proper tone
production, dynamics and inter-
probation techniques in the form
of scales and finger exercises.
| Toby is the son of Mr.. and Mrs.
Toby Hite, II, of Mayersville, Miss.
He was born September 8, 1887.