1963 Senior Band


*1963 Anchor, p. 36*	*1963 Anchor, p. 36*	*1963 Anchor, p. 37*	*1963 Anchor, p. 39*
Senior Band Officers	Senior Band	Senior Band on Parade	Varsity Flagtwirlers
"L. to R.: George Rowe ('64), vice-president; Carolyn Webb ('65), secretary; Chuck Lilly ('63), president; Billy Roberts ('63), treasurer."	(Original Yearbook Glossy in my possession) "Senior Band Exhibits Talent"	"The Newport News Senior Band marches on to their third consecutive first place rating at the Apple Blossom Festival in Winchester."	Sharon Lamberth ('63), Gail Watkins,('64), Karen Wilks ('64), Mary Lou Knowles ('63), Norma Helmick ('63), Vicki Hankins ('63), Becky Goolsby ('64) and Brenda Keatts ('64)
"As the leaders of the band, the senior band officers help organize the activities of the year. Elected by the band, they act as special aides to Mr. James P. Wilson."	"The Senior Band, for its fine performances in school and community functions, was presented with versatile navy-blue uniforms. Flag Twirlers received co-ordinate outfits to complement the dignity of the Newport News High School Band."	"As champions of the Apple Blossom Festival Parade in Winchester for the third consecutive year, the Newport News High School Senior Band proved its superior rating among competing bands. Under the direction of James P. Wilson the band participates in concerts, assemblies, parades, football games, and band trips."	"The Varsity Flagtwirlers add much to the band with their sharp strutting and unique routines. Many hours of practice are needed to keep up to par on this squad. Participating in parades, football games, pep assemblies, and concerts kept those girls working busily throughout the entire year."
03/17/04	03/17/04	03/17/04	03/17/04

"'Champions are made on the practice field,' is a proven fact for this hardworking group
which spends about forty-five minutes each morning before school perfecting its art.
Additional practice sessions are also held at night during football season and prior to concerts.
Industrious attempts to sell calendars to raise funds for the yearly trip to Winchester are also part of the activities."

NNHS
	Sunday, November 25, 1962	Friday, March 8, 1963 Issue of the Beacon
	"... The Typhoon Marching Band beats the cadence..."	"Band Presents Winter Concert"
	Courtesy of Marcus C. Higgins ('65) of AZ - 04/09/07 Thanks, Marcus!	Courtesy of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 02/15/08 Thanks, Dave!	Courtesy of Ed Perry ('65) of TN - 11/08/16 Thanks, Eddie!
	05/02/07	02/16/08	11/10/16

Band Names Sweetheart


*1963 Anchor, p. 90*	*1963 Anchor, p. 90*	*1963 Anchor, p. 90*	*1963 Anchor, p. 90*
"Before joining the band, the Varsity Flagtwirlers, Brenda Keatts ('64), Mary Lou Knowles ('63), Karen Wilks ('64), Gail Watkins ('64), Sharon Lamberth ('63), Becky Goolsby ('64), chat excitedly about the traditional event (the crowning of the Band Sweetheart)"	"Miss Norma Carol Helmick"	"Chuck Lilly, Norma Helmick, Tom Hargadon, and attendant Vicki Hankins take time to pose for a picture."	"Chuck Lilly, drum major, dances with Norma "
03/17/04	03/17/04	03/17/04	03/17/04

"Traditionally, the students of Newport News High School anxiously await the naming of the Band Sweetheart.
Preparations for the half-time ceremony are made by the band members who nominate and elect,
by secret ballot, one of their own senior girls as Sweetheart.
Congratulations were given as Miss Norma Helmick was crowned by Mr. Robert Maidment, principal.
Accompanying the sweetheart was her attendant, Miss Vicki Hankins.
Chuck Lilly, band Drum Major, acted as escort.
Crowning of the 14th Annual Band Sweetheart will be a cherished memory in the life of '62-'63."

I, as many of you, have some wonderful memories of being part of the null Typhoon Marching Senior Band - and some that aren't so wonderful. I was in senior band for only my 9th and 10th grade years. Carol, your latest news letter has brought to mind a memory associated with "Stranger on the Shore".

It was after either the '62 Williamsburg Christmas parade or the '63 Winchester parade. After the parade, as you will remember, everyone had to load their instruments into the luggage compartment of the Greyhound-type buses the band always used for travel. In this one case however a honor was bestowed, or at least that is the way I remember , as I was saying -a honor was bestowed on the first chair clarinet player to bring his/her instrument on the bus. It was dark, there was the usual joking and horse-play followed by an unplanned, unrehearsed quiet pause as the day, what we had once again accomplished sank in. Gradually, during that lull there were the soft, beautiful notes of "Stranger" flowing from mid-way the bus. It was the most beautiful rendition I have ever heard. Everyone, I mean everyone - the obnoxious percussion section, the boisterous brass --- everyone was reverently silent. It was at that moment that I realized that I was part of a wonderful, very special group that had no equal. I've said it before - at that time I didn't like JP and he didn't like me - but my God, Mr. Wilson made us produce music like no other HS band on the east coast, and for that I thank him.

That bus ride has always been a very special memory to me - now will someone that was part of the Winchester Incomparable All-around Band please tell me that you too remember that moment and perhaps the name of the person playing.

Carol, thanks for hanging in there and keeping the TYPHOON alive.

- Jim Dossett ('66) of FL - 02/18/08

WOW, thanks so much, Jim! I deliberately held your note back for one day, hoping this memory would clarify itself somewhat in my mind.
I definitely can recall the beautiful tones of that clarinet, but I can't really remember who the gifted musician was playing it.

If I had to guess, (Donald) Wayne Gilman ('63 - of IN) could most surely have done it, and I'm reasonably certain that he was the
first chair clarinetist, but then I also think it would not have been beyond the talents of a couple of others.

We always had three Greyhound buses on those band trips. I cannot recall who drove the third bus, but one was driven by Bob Smith, father of the late Robert Smith ('65). Another (I think it was known as Bus #2) was driven by Mr. Young. I believe the percussion section members always elected to ride in this bus. I know I did, and I know Buster Vest ('63 - of VA), Kenny Lipscomb ('63 - of VA), and the late Rose Woodard ('65) did. When the percussionists were not regaling us with, um, interesting songs, Kenny would often conduct us in "pah-pah-pah-pah-ing" our various parts, thus rehearsing and entertaining us at the same time. And at given intervals throughout any and all trips, Buster could be heard doing his impersonation of an incident on the bus from a past year: "Mr. Young. Mr. Young, I'm sick. Blahttt!" This was a phrase I diligently taught each of my seven children (as any good mother would!) to provide humor whenever anyone was sick. A very useful phrase, that, and they all know it to this day.

I just cannot quite remember. It's but another of my fragmented memories, so think we'll turn this question over to the class, Jim.

"Anyone? Anyone?"

- Carol Buckley Harty ('65) of NC - 02/20/08

I stumbled on the Newport News High School newsletter today and saw the article about someone playing "Stranger on the Shore"
on the band bus. I was a good friend of Wayne Gilman's ('63 - of IN), and although he was a very good musician, I doubt that it was him.
My guess would be Bernie Spivak ('63). I heard him play Petite Fleur, which had only been out a few weeks at the time.
He could hear a tune a few times and then just play it; he didn't need sheet music.

- Eugene "Buz" Groshong ('63) of Northern VA - 05/05/08
WOWZERONI-RINI!!! Another mystery solved! Thanks so much, Buz!

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