An incredible photo showing Mr. Barta's intensity and passion as he directs
us during band practice. On the black board is a sketch of a half-time show
for marching band. The marching band performed during half-time at a Badgers
game in Madison. This may be part of the preparations for that show.


Band was a great activity. The grade schools had the responsibility of exposing
students to music. We started in 5th grade. Of course some kids started even
earlier with private lessons, but that was less common. At Lakeshore we played in
a large sound-proof room with Mr. Ridgely. It was a good foundation for playing
at HHS and many kids participated. The grade and middle schools acted like the
equivalent of a farm team in baseball, replenishing the school after the loss of
a graduating class. Being in band required a lot of practice. During the school week
we brought our instruments on Monday and took them home on Friday. If you forgot
your instrument in the music room on Friday the directors would know that you had
not practiced all weekend. They kept track of that sort of thing. I believe
we also got grades in band. During junior year getting a good grade became tougher
as attendance alone was not enough. We had to memorize and perform all 12 scales plus
the chromatic scale. Later we even needed to play long arrpegios based on each of the
major scales. Worst of all was that each student played individually before the
rest of the band. Talk about getting nervous! We got seat placements within each
instrument section based on our performances.


On evenings when we played a concert Mr. Barta would gather us in the band room and
instruct us to tune our instruments. Each person played a C or a B flat and and
Mr. Barta stood next to an antiquated machine (that looked like a mechanical oscillosope)
and shouted out "you're sharp" or "you're flat". We would go around to each person
one-by-one. He would then go back to those that were out of tune. "You're still flat."
"Sharp, you gotta pull." If you were really out of tune you might hear...


"Way sharp! You gotta pull! Pull half-way to Cleveland."


Practice was pretty routine. We played through the songs that were planned for the next concert.
For variety now and then we might do some sight reading or play a piece we had already mastered.
In trouble spots he might ask a horn section or a flute section to play alone. "Okay, let's take the
licorice sticks next. "We'll start from 'B' ... B, Bobby, Baker." And if there was trouble
reading the music the Mr. Barta would sing out the melody for all to hear. (On rare occasions he
might have a clarinet or soprano sax with him on the podium and play a section. This may have been
more common in jazz band. I don't recall all that well.) Then the section would play one more
time until it sounded okay. Then the band would be instructed "Let's all take it from 'B'.
We'll take it from 'B'. Bobby. Baker". Or "Let's take it from 'C'. Charley". D was Doris.
And so on. "Let's pick it up at the coda." "Be sure to breath at the end of each phrase.
You guys are like the church organist that doesn't sing along when she plays the hymns."


Recently I read through my class yearbook and all of the greetings from classmates. One of the common
opening lines was, "We made it through another year of band. Next year it will be Mr. Confare."
Although band was challenging it was a unifying experience for those who participated. Having the
opportunity to play in concert band, march in parades and on the field, participate in orchestra,
pep band or pit band exposed us to a variety of music. I think we all have a better appreciation
for music because of the efforts made by the school system to get us involved.



(courtesy of John Walters)