Story originally printed in the Westby Times or online at www.westbytimes.com
Published - Thursday, July 03, 2008
Historically Speaking...
The following information is taken from the 1914 Courier, the first yearbook published by the Westby High School. The following year it was renamed The Ski and remains thus till this day.
We have given much time and attention to music in our High School, not withstanding the fact that we have no special teacher. However, our principal, Mr. Weiland, has been a very efficient director, and under his leadership many difficult songs have been mastered. Every Tuesday and Thursday morning fifteen minutes have been devoted to singing; and we have sung with such volume that a few of the business people have been known to remark that the melodies from “the red school house on the hill” have wafted down to them in their shops.
At least a few of our choruses deserve mention. They are, “The clang of the Forge,” “The Revel of the Leaves,” “The Anvil Chorus,” “Dear Wisconsin,” “The Song of the Vikings,” “Welcome to Springtime,” and we must not forget that rousing and melodious song, “Solomon Levi.” Most of our music has been in coda form. The money required for purchasing it has been obtained by charging admission to programs of our literary society.
When we consider what we have been able to accomplish in music and how much it has meant to us, we cannot repress the hope that in the near future we may have a systematic course, and a special teacher of music.
Send all inquires, letters, questions or answers, and photos to Hans c/o the Westby Times or Hans at westby.times@gmail.com.
All stories copyright 2006 Westby Times and other attributed sources.