Minnie M. Davis 1905 – 1912
Rotzler, Riner, Arnston, Smith
On September 1, 1905, Hewitt resigned, and Miss Minnie M. Davis was hired as supervisor of music with a salary of $70 per month (School Board, 1903-1908, p. 204). Davis’s salary increased by $5 per month each subsequent year. Davis earned her degree from N.S. School of Music, State Normal where she studied with Madame Siebert (Polaris, 1909, p. 6). Davis became responsible for the high school general music classes, glee clubs, and choir, but it is uncertain to what extent, if any, she was involved with the orchestra. On April 5, 1912, Davis took a leave of absence due to ill health, and the district employed Marie Asquith to carry on her high school work for the remainder of the semester at $25 per month (School Board, 1910-1912, p. 229).
National Happenings:
Richmond, Indiana was the first school district, in 1905, to acknowledge music’s educational value by offering a half credit for playing in the afterschool orchestra. In 1906, students in Chelsea, Massachusetts were able to receive credit for both afterschool private lessons and orchestra (Colwell & Goolsby, 2002, p. 7). It was not until 1911, however, that the Music Supervisors’ National Conference recommended that schools grant academic credit for participation in ensembles. Due to this initiative, by the early 1920s, most school orchestras rehearsed during the day and received credit (Hash, 2009, p. 52).
The school band movement began in the 1910s. The ensembles were often associated with the school orchestra; members frequently belonging to both groups. The bands, however, often developed from the ground up, unlike orchestras which chose already accomplished musicians as members (Birge, 1966, p. 187). School bands were generally started after the orchestras. By 1910, approximately one hundred school orchestras existed. One can find mention of bands at this time, but most seem to refer to civic boys’ bands which were appearing across the country (Colwell & Goolsby, 2002, p. 7).
Local Happenings:
It is uncertain if the high school orchestra performed during this time and when, but it is confirmed that Gibler’s Orchestra again provided commencement music in 1907, 1908 for $14 (School Board, 1908-1910, p. 9), and 1910 (p.88).
In 1909, former Freeport High School Orchestra director, Harold Hewitt, died. He is buried in the City Cemetery of Freeport.
High School Music:
Although it is clear that an orchestra was organized at the high school during Davis’s tenure, it is uncertain whose leadership it was under. Newsletter articles, yearbook descriptions, and school board records mention Rotzler, Riner, Arnston, Smith, and Davis; however, a lack of photographs during this time period make for vague depictions. High school student, Edwin Rotzler, led the ensemble during the 1905-1906 school year.
Much credit should be given the orchestra for the promising results which are being obtained from each rehearsal, which is due to the excellent leadership of Edwin Rotzler. Although several rehearsals are being missed on account of the absence of Mr. Rotzler during a few weeks, we feel sure that the lost time will soon be regained when he returns. (Polaris, January 1906, p. 4)
In 1906-1907, the orchestra’s status is again tenuous. Gibler’s Orchestra played for commencement, and the yearbook pictured Glee Club and Treble Clef Club but not the orchestra (p. 10). It does, however, mention an orchestra and its members (Dwight Riner-violin, Arthur Wareham-cello, Carl Berg-cornet, John Evers-flute, and Myrtle Meyer-piano) who accompanied a play (p. 71). Dwight S. Riner is listed in the 1907-1908 yearbook as a member of the “High School Orchestra” (p. 19). The orchestra performed for the Junior Class Play “School for Scandal.” Members included Miss Grace Wareham, Charles DeMoure, Mr. Oblander, Arthur Wareham, Ed. Luebbing, and Dwight Riner (p. 46).
Did the 1908-1909 school year see an organized orchestra at the high school? A student editorial in the newsletter stated, “We had a band once long ago and while it was not all that could have been desired, nevertheless it was a credit to the school” (October 23, 1908, p. 23). The following quote from another newsletter seems to further contradict the history of the ensemble: “At last a start has been made toward an orchestra for F.H.S.” The first meeting occurred October 6, 1909 with only a few students present and “prospects gloomy.” At the second meeting, members elected violinist Merle Smith as manager and Elon Waite as treasurer. Practices were set for every Friday afternoon. Anyone could join by contacting the manager. Smith wrote that they had “quite a variety of instruments in the orchestra already, and more are expected shortly.” It was noted that Professor Arnston would direct (October 15, 1909, p. 8). Herbert Hayes Arnston was a graduate of Pacific University in 1908 and taught Latin at the high school (Polaris, 1910, p. 8). Although the orchestra certainly existed in prior years, the 1910 Polaris listed seniors as only having played in the orchestra for their senior year: Helen Theodora DeJongh (p. 27), Paul Samuel McGrath (p. 34), Charles William Wilcox (p. 38), and Franklin Middleditch Yordy (p. 39). In November 1909, the school board recommended that “Miss Davis be authorized to give an entertainment and charge admission fee,” but an account of performers cannot be found (1908-1910, p. 148).
Several headlines confuse the issue further: “Orchestra is Making Progress”, “Musical Organization is Big Aid to High School Spirit”, “After the orchestra-A Big Brass Band-it is up to the Freshmen and Sophomores.” Perhaps the terms orchestra and band were used interchangeably. The orchestra is “making remarkable headway” with over a dozen students. “Several have purchased instruments and are taking lessons so as to be able to join the orchestra in January.” The author taunted that Galena High School had a band of 24 members, and Rockford High School had 20. “Freeport must not and will not be a back number along this line. The orchestra is now an assured success” (Polaris, November 12, 1909, p. 3). “Orchestra News” noted confusion about enrollment requirements. “Some students are kept from joining it through the mistaken idea that…you must be an expert musician.” Anyone with ambition and spirit was invited to play. Even if practically a beginner, “no matter how poor you are with the instrument you play, you will be welcome. Do something for your school.” The orchestra played for the junior contest and demonstrated good qualities, “but we also want a brass band” (Polaris, December 3, 1909, p. 6).
The 1909-1910 Polaris was the first to picture the orchestra and included the caption “FIRST ORCHESTRA.” Dwight S. Riner, former student of the orchestra, was the director. The ensemble consisted of 4 violins, 1 bass, 2 cornets, 1 clarinet, 1 flute, 1 saxophone, 2 drums, and 1 piano. A female, bassist Helen DeJongh, was allowed in orchestra for the first time in 1909.
For the past few years an orchestra has been a minus quantity in FHS. Each year the possibility of such an organization had been discussed, but that was as near as FHS came to the sweet sounds of harmony made by a group of her own musicians. (Polaris, 1910, p. 79)
Perhaps this author was referring to a band or perhaps they had not heard of the previous groups. The first performance that year was for the junior oratorical contest. Charles Wilcox, a senior and pianist for the orchestra stated, “The evening came, the bow was made, and the orchestra of FHS had once more become a reality in high school life and won its place in school work.” The Board of Education helped pay for some music at the start of the year, and later, the music classes gave them some money for the purchase of more music. At the end of the year, the orchestra took a trip to Ridott for a concert which netted enough money for both music and treasury savings (p. 79).
In 1911, the school board approved Davis’s request to “give an Operetta under the direction of Mr. Rogers provided he can present credentials satisfactory to the High School Committee” (1910-1912, p. 57). The performances of this operetta were held in the high school auditorium March 23, 24, and 25 (p. 111). Funds raised from this production were used to purchase a Victrola to be used for entertainment and educational purposes (Polaris, 1911). It is unknown if the orchestra performed for this operetta, but the ensemble clearly existed at this time with 15 members under the direction of Dwight Riner. Each member of the orchestra received one credit per year for their coursework (Polaris, October 7, 1910, p. 2). Yet newsletter entries continue to contradict these known facts.
What’s the matter with the High School Orchestra? Surely the FHS has talent along this line. Every High School of note has one and we should not be behind the others in this respect. Lack of interest seems to be shown by the members and, until they take interest in their work, little can be done along this line. (Polaris, November 4, 1910, p. 6)
Either editorials such as this one were using the term “orchestra” to mean band again, or an unhappy orchestra member was using this as a forum to blow off steam. Only one mention of an orchestra is found for the school year 1911-1912. The yearbook showed a picture of Merle Smith leading 3 violinists, Minnie Brunnemer, William Jungkunz, and Harriet Yarger, and a cellist, Kent Owens. Additionally, a newsletter announced that the High School Violin Quartet, Merle Smith, Helen Reynolds, William Jungkunz, and Harriet Yarger, played for a school assembly on March 21, 1912 (March 22, 1912, p. 7).
School board records indicate that violinist Edwin Rotzler was paid $16 for 1911 commencement music (1912-1914, p. 4) and $2 for music in 1912 (p. 104), and cellist Oscar Wagner was paid $4 in 1911 (p. 5). It could be that these men, both previously students of the high school orchestra, were compensated for performing at commencement or that either or both of them were in charge of the orchestra and were compensated for their direction or purchase of music.
The senior class sponsored a Lecture Course Series from 1910-1916 bringing world-renowned speakers and musicians. In 1910, Jaroslav Kocian, Bohemian violin virtuoso, came to Freeport off a triumphant European tour. Kocian was esteemed enough to be allowed to perform on Paganini’s violin. He was the first soloist for the Theodore Thomas Orchestra, which performed in Chicago in October and Freeport in November (Polaris, October 7, 1910, p. 4).