Hello, Classmates,

   I was involved in the Symphonic Band all four years at TTHS.  I had always looked forward to being in this band, since the days of the Biannial Band Festivals which included TTHS, Thornridge, and all of the Grade School Bands performing in the TTHS or Thornridge Gym, both individually and as one.

   Probably my fondest memories were the trips we made to New Orleans and Washington, D.C.  The train ride on the way to New Orleans seemed to never end, and Mr. Stanley, the band director taught some of us how to play a card game called "Pluck."  I don't remember any thing else about the game, but it did help to pass the time.

   As far as the trip to Washington was concerned, that was the first time I flew in an airplane.  That, in itself, was exciting, but then getting to play a concert literallly on the steps of the US Capitol Building was a thrill.  At the time, someone brought a video camera - one of the earliest which had a battery the size of a suitcase - and video taped the concert.  I remember because there were 6 of us that were chosen to be a "Dixieland Band" on a number, and they showed us the concert when we got back to school.  I wonder whatever happened to that video tape.

   And of course, there was the Marching Wildcats.  Every Thursday night before a home football game, we would be out on the field practicing our routine for 2 1/2 to 3 hours.  It made for some long nights, especially if there were a test or 2 the following day.  We also played for half of the home basketball games - the Concert Band played for the other half.  I think the worst thing we ever did was in one game when the referees were horrible, some of us struck up "Three Blind Mice."  (No, Mr. Stanley did not see the humor.)  But, it was nice to get into the games free.

   Being in Concert Band actually brought me to Concert Choir and led me to decisions that changed my life.  It was junior year, and Mr. Campbell needed some brass players to accompany the choir on "Crown Him with Many Crowns."  I was invited to participate, and since it meant a day of getting out of class to have rehearsal at Ivanhoe Community Church and at Federated Church, I decided to do it.  As I participate in the concert, even for one song, I felt drawn to the vocal music field, and later asked Mr. Campbell how to audition.  He advised me on what the procedure would be, and I made Concert Choir senior year.

   I will never forget the joy of vocal performance I experienced that year.  Mr. Campbell almost always had us sing an "A" from memory without the use of the piano.  Then, Mrs. Scott would play and "A" to show us how far we were off.  (Then, I thought it was a game, but now I see how he was teaching us "tonal memory.")  Next, we had a warm up - after all, to sing full voice at 10 am is quite a challenge, and we moved into our concert style songs for fall, later preparing for the Christmas concert, the sacred concert in late winter/early spring, and concluding with the pops concert.

   By being in Concert Choir, and a senior, I was invited to audition for Madrigals, and I was very fortunate to be chosen.  I learned an appreciation for the style of music in the 16 - 1700's which we sang, and I learned how to get in and out of a tuxedo in less than 5 minutes (since we wore tuxes and formals.) The morning that we were to be told, the Madrigals from the privious year would come and get the new ones out of bed - literally.  Ruth Ann Slack was like a sister, and did not want me to be unprepared, so she gave me a day's warning so I would be ready.  Then, they were running about 20 minutes late, so I was really confused.  We went to a place in Indiana, had breakfast, and played some games, all before being back to school for first hour class.

   I also remember that we gave somewhere between 25 and 30 concerts between Thanksgiving and Christmas, sometimes having 3 different performances a night.  I joked with my parents that sometimes it seemed all I did was waive goodbye in the morning and hello late at night.  It was a fun and exciting time.  One concert we gave was a Washington School in West Harvey.  I attended Washington from Grades K through 5, and before the concert was over, Stanley Sieman (the principal) stopped the concert.  I had always been scared of him as a student there, and now I wondered what was going on.  He surprised me by wanting to recognize the 3 of us that had attended Washington - Nancy Burns, Kathy Sorensen, and me.  He seemed so proud, and I will never forget that kindness.

   One other Madrigal Memory - At the end of the year, we had a night on the town in downtown Chicago.  We started with dinner, I believe it was at Don Roth's Blackhawk Restaurant, and then went to the Auditorium Theatre to see Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway in "Hello Dolly."  After the show, we waited at the Stage door and Ms. Bailey came out to greet the fans that were there.  In the course of conversation, she found out that our group was there and asked us to sing something.  I do not remember what she sang, but she invited all of us back - at her expense - to see "Hello Dolly" again.  Unfortunately, I could not attend the second time, but it was a thrill to meet her.

   Later, I was also blessed to be chosen as a member of the district and all state choirs.  On my profile page, I mention an event which occurred in Peoria with 8 of us that were at all state when Wendy White said grace.  Rather than repeat that here, I'll just say it forever stuck in my memory.

   Finally, I said the music department changed my life.  Origninally, I planned to be a high school math teacher.  However, literally on the way to college, I felt led to change to a music education degree, based largely on my experience in the TTHS music department.  My last year of college, I felt led to use my talent in the church, and have been a Worship Leader (Minister of Music) and Associate Pastor since 1975.  I remain convinced to this day, this change in direction of my life was due, in part, to the wonderful people in this department.

   Special thanks to Mr. Stanley, Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Scott, Mr. McFadden, and the other teachers in the music department. Thanks, too, to those who were with me in Concert Band...to those in Concert Choir (including the special guys on the back row)... and to my fellow Madrigal members whom I continue to cherish.  You have given me memories which I have blessed me forever.  I trust God's best for each of you.

Ron Black, Class of '71

 Ron, I really enjoyed reading your *note* about the music department at Thornton.  Sorry to say that I cannot carry a tune and was always a bit jealous of the kids who could sing well.  I also remember that you were decent in math -- I do believe you beat me on that national math test, you bum!