1959 Senior Band
WE HAVE A WINNER! Within mere hours of its posting, JoAnn Stewart ('64) of TX became our winner for correctly identifying the still gorgeous Mary Catherine Todd Kilpatrick ('59) of VA.
Congratulations,
JoAnn! |
AND HERE'S HOW IT BEGAN:
Here’s a picture for you that I took two weeks ago in Virginia during a
recent visit to see my mother and sister
in Newport News.
This is a picture of a an "official" 1959 NNHS Flagtwirlers Flag along with
an "official" NNHS Flagtwirler from the Class of 1959. Perhaps it would be
fun to see if anyone from that era
can guess the identity of the mystery twirler.
Thanks for all the updates. |
This WAS fun, John! Thanks to you and Mary Catherine, and to JoAnn for
being so clever! - Carol Buckley Harty ('65) of NC - 04/23/04 |
Webdoll & Flautist, As a follow-on to your stunning Junior Band portrait in the 1961 Anchor, I opened my 1960 Anchor and this picture fell out. As the Blues Brother exclaimed in their moment of enlightenment, "THE BAND!" This "official" photo shows the musical trio of (from left): me, the classy Bill Gruver (’62 - of Northern VA, like me, a Preacher's Kid [PK]) and always energetic Solo Trombone First Chair Bill Prillaman (’60, matriculated at VPI) decked out in our white dinner jackets, pegged pants and Penny Loafers. Sorry you can't see the late Verlin Smith ('61), Billy Fowler ( '61, he drove a great Studebaker), and Ken Lipscomb ('63 - of Northern VA), who comprised the T-Bone section. |
![]() |
|
Trombone Trip
playing, "Trio for Trombones" |
||
Norm Covert ('61), Bill Gruver (’62 ), and Bill Prillaman (’60) |
![]() |
We were outfitted at
Spigel's, just around the corner
from Washington Avenue on 32nd Street (across
from Nachman’s). Memory fails me on the name of
the wonderful old guy who fitted us. http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/SITE-MAP.html http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/old-stomping.html |
|
The indefatigable James P. Wilson directed the Typhoon Marching Band in this picture of the Spring 1960 concert. We played an arrangement called, Trio for Trombones. Also, identifiable in the pictures include (far left): Mary Ann Milne (’60) on flute and (center) Wally Craver (’60) on tenor saxophone. We were privileged to be part of a terrific band -- both musically and as a marching unit. As in 1961, we met each weekday morning at 7:45 a.m. and practiced our routines for the football halftime shows, parades and concerts. Several of us, including Drummer Donnie Baker (’61) met early for a light breakfast at the Dog House on 29th Street before heading down to the daily rehearsals. Thanks James P., wherever you are. |
![]() |
|
Saturday, October 23, 2004 | ||
Mr. and Mrs.
James P. Wilson of Emporia, VA |
- Norm Covert ('61) of MD -
08/15/07
WOWZERONI!!! Thanks, Norm!
CORRECTION:
The photo of the trombone trio forwarded a few days ago was probably taken May 28, 1959, not 1960 as originally claimed.
- Norm Covert ('61) of MD -
08/22/07
OHHH!!! Thanks again, Norm!
http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/band-60.html
![]() |
![]() |
Newport News High School Music Department Annual Spring Concert | |
Thursday, May 28, 1959, 8:00 PM | |
A discovery in
my basement “archives” reveals the official program for the 1959 Annual
Spring Concert by the NNHS Music Department and it includes the listing of
“Trombero” by Frank Cofield, with the players listed in order: “Bill Gruver
(’62), Bill Prillaman (’60) and Norman Covert (’61).” The picture being
stored in my ’60 Anchor fooled me. I did not receive a ’59 Anchor,
having been transferred from Warwick High School in February and probably
stuck it in there for safe keeping. The same musicians, however, would have
been in the same positions on stage in 1959, except that Bill Gruver was in
the "Solo Chair" (that week anyway) and we three traded chairs a lot in the
’59-’60 school year. The 1960 program would help my dilemma. The program fortuitously lists each member of the band -- as well as the chorus, then directed by Virginia Lapides, who had replaced the long-time Typhoon Chorister Eleanor Sherman. |
- Norm Covert ('61) of MD -
08/22/07
WOWZERONI-RINI!!! Thanks again, Norm!
- Carol Buckley Harty ('65) of NC - 08/24/07
And by the way, the old
first floor Band Room is where Summer Band classes were held. |
![]() |
Newport News Summer Band School - 1959 |
- Carol Buckley Harty ('65) of NC - 08/24/07
Web Maestro,
Thanks for all the corrective work on “THE BAND,” plus your posting the picture of the ’59 Dance Band.
A quick attempt (front row from left) shows Wally Craver (’60), my good pal Jack Harrison (’61) of VA, Ed Harris ('60) of VA, Bob Cohen ('60) (both terrific guys), Sammy Lipes (’60) and Jim Workman ('61) of NC on saxes (alto, tenor and baritone); trumpets, don’t recognize far left, then Chuck Anspach (’60) of NC, Al Simms ('60) of VA; and Drum Major Norman Dick (’60) of TN; only recognize Bill Prillaman (’60) and Bill Gruver (’62) of Northern VA on trombones; can’t see the Sousaphone player nor drummer.
It does bring to mind the Dixieland Band we put together in late Spring 1960,
mostly from the urging of Jack Harrison (’61) (before he met Edna Whitcomb
Harrison (’65) of VA and ‘lell in fove’). With tenor sax in hand, Jack convinced
Joel Margolis (’61) of Northern VA that he could play his clarinet as well as
Pete Fountain (real close!); Jack and his Dukes of Dixieland records helped me
learn the Dixieland genre on the trombone; he coaxed Donnie Baker (’61) to play
drums; and we handed Trumpeter Robert (Buddy) Helterbran (’61) of PA sheets of
music we had put together and the band was off and running. There were a couple
others who sometimes “sat in” with us, but I regret I don’t remember their
names. We played for a couple pep rallies (especially “On Old Newport”
and “Washington & Lee Swing”), as extra act at a couple after-school
events, plus a Christmas Party for employees of
Nachman’s in December 1960. Sorry I don’t have a picture of us performing.
Joel was the heart of the band and no one beat the drums like Donnie!
James P. Wilson never fully adopted us, but we were
free spirits, playing by the rules and he helped us when he could.
- Norm Covert ('61) of MD -
08/24/07
WOWZERONI!!! I never had any idea that the Dance Band was initiated by the
students themselves!
Thanks so much for that valuable bit of history, Norm!
Carol,
One correction and 3 more names for the Dance Band in your last newsletter.
- Al Simms ('60) of Northern VA -
08/27/07
AHA!!! Thanks, Al!
Hi Carol
I went onto the Skyline Drive this past October and visited Luray Caverns. I had
lunch in the town of Luray and afterwards drove around a little. What great
memories that came flooding back. I think it was 1959 but not sure. Anyway it
was the first time that NNHS band won best band in the
Apple Blossom Festival. We stayed in a motor hotel just out side of town. I
don’t remember it looking as nice as the photos now show, but anyway I remember
being a little jealous of some of the other school bands, because they were
staying in the Hotel Mimslyn. The motor hotel we stayed in is now called The
Luray Caverns Motel. Some of the trumpet players (about five of us) stayed in
one room. I only remember being with
Chuck Anspach ('60 - of NC). There
is a clock tower across the road from the motel but I don’t remember it being
there then. It could have been, maybe someone else will remember?
I do remember one night a bunch
of us walked the mile or so to the Mimslyn to crash the parties that were going
on and we got stopped by a local Deputy on the way back to our room but can’t
remember exactly why or what the outcome was. I think he contacted
Mr.
Wilson and then let us go. I do remember one neat
thing. It was after the parade and a bunch of us were gathered closely around
the only phone, which was an outside pay phone. Mr. Wilson called the Festival
Director to find out how we did in the standings. Well, as I said we were all
gathered around closely. I was standing about two feet away with Chuck Anspach
only about a foot away. We were all watching and listing intently to Mr. Wilson
when all of a sudden his expression changed dramatically. He let out a loud
Whoop and jumped straight up in the air. The only problem is that when he came
down it was directly on top of Chuck’s foot. I think Chuck ending up loosing his
big toenail.
This coming year it is being held April 23 – May 2, 2010!
My, how it has grown. SEE YOU THERE.
- Dicky Dawes ('60) of VA -
11/28/09
YOWZERONI - Poor Chuck! Thanks, Dicky!
I believe you're right about the May of 1959 date.
Somewhere in the back of my mind I recall that it was the first year that Norman
Dick ('60 of TN) served as drum major.....