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Show IPQBSluh Marcella Walker It is amazing what you can learn sitting in this office. Walt Reimschussel, principal of Grovecrest School, brought in information in-formation on an opera-in-the-schools program. A brief paragraph or two on the history of the opera along with a definition of terms was given. This is designed to help children gain an appreciation of opera. I think all of us could use a little training in appreciation of this art. Art and ballet seem to not appeal to a great majority of people. Like broccoli, a love of it can be learned by having small and regular doses of it. The problem around here is that we don't receive the small and regular doses. Oftimes the first chance we have to hear opera is a four-hour marathon, all in Italian, with little understanding of what is transpiring. BYU has nice operas and various groups in Salt Lake City sponsor them. But what a nice thing this i opera-in-the-schools program really is. Remember a few years ago when Pleasant Grove High School had the in-school-dance program in which talented and experienced dancers taught students the rudiments of dance. This program was climaxed by a performance by repertory dance company of Salt Lake doing a magnificent performance. The reason I say it was magnificent is because it had to be for my husband to sit through the whole thing. This program has resulted in the formation of the Orchesis Dance Program at Pleasant Grove High School which is a real asset to the school and their annual program is lovely. Musicals presented at the high school the past few years, although not operas, have given talented young voices an opportunity to prform in a culture medium which is very popular in the United States, There has been no musical this year. I hesitate to ask why, but certainly something of this caliber is of great benefit to the performers as well as the community as a whole. The young people who played the powerful lead roles in "The Music Man" last year did a marvelous job. Everyone raved over the performance. per-formance. Regardless of "reasons," serious contemplation should be given to musicals being continued at the high school. The students need this type of experience, and heaven only knows, the community does. Called the Alpine Chamber Orchestra, Or-chestra, this fine group of musicians under the direction of Leon Honey, can really be claimed by Pleasant Grove. The beloved, Owen Bingham of Pleasant Grove directed this orchestra or-chestra for a long time. When he died last spring it continued under the baton of Mr. Honey. Every resident of this city with a love of fine music or desiring to gain a love of fine music should attend the per formances ot this group which are frequently held in the Pleasant Grove High School. I heard that the Orem Library was giving the orchestra the opportunity to perform there. How nice. But let's not let Orem take this group away from us because of lack of attendance here. Mark Bezzant made the comment before the elections recently that everyone should get out and vote so that apathy doesn't win. Apathy won. Only 37 percent of the registered voters in Pleasant Grove voted. Lindon had 56 percent out. Apathy in politics or in cultural events is a sad commentary on this city. Sports stir people up. So should some of the other lovely things in our culture. Here's a thought: Optimism is the certain knowledge that no matter how small you are or how large the world, there is only one of each. |
