Submitted by Nute Chapman and Karan Pregitzer
From Onaway Outlook September 28, 2012
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Submitted by Nute Chapman and Karan Pregitzer From Onaway Outlook September 28, 2012 |
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Caption: Carl McClutchey's Onaway Band in 1936, 1937 or 1938. Back from left, Dan Mahoney, Jim Shea, Karl Pregitzer,
Doug Smith, Katherine Mero, Mickey Mero, Sebe Morgan, Cliff Roberts, Harold Post, Lyle Ervingham, Bill Badgero,
Jack Severance, Genevieve Gordier, Bill Painter and Perry Bowman. Middle from left, Bea Lietaert, Ralph
Severance, Thelma Porter, Genevieve McClary, Bill Comfort, Lucille McClary, Janet Dean, Geneva Jackson, Tess
Lietaert, Tom Mero, Shirley McClary, Arden Roberts and Mr. McClutchey. Front from left, Marian Mero, Fayetta Smith,
Tom Ellenberger, Harry Moran, Audrey Smith, Melvin Sioux, Arizona Bowman, Chris Petchell, Pat Malone, Winefred
Wilcox, Gladys Green, Janice Pillsbury, Phyllis Levandoski and Arla Riley.
Continued from Karan Pregitzer's History of the Organized Instrumental Program in the Onaway Public Schools.
Previous to the beginning of an organized instrumental music program in the Onaway system, there were several
early music groups. These groups were composed of students, teachers and others who gathered together from time
to time to entertain as well as improve their group skills. Some of the groups were small string orchestras and
also combinations of instruments and string groups.
Years ago when the Onaway Catholic School was in existence, there was an "all boys" instrumental band. The
Millersburg School before its consolidation with Onaway had several instrumental bands over the years. Many of the
Onaway band students received their initial start at Millersburg before coming into the Onaway School to finish
their junior and senior years of high school.
In addition to the teachers in Tower and other outlying district schools, we gave the benefit of some music training
on instruments as well as vocal skills, there were numerous municipal groups. Every town or village had a city band
from time to time. These organizations would flourish for a while then disappear. Later another group would spring
into existence, flourish for awhile, only to disappear again. It is almost impossible to record all of these groups
and individuals who were the forerunners of the organized public school instrumental music program. Needless to say
they all had an impact on our area culture and provided a need for music in their own time and place. This is not
a history of these groups and individuals, but rather a recognition of their contributions to the need and
acceptance of a formal instrumental program in the Onaway public school system.
It should be said here that this short history does not include all the work done with vocal music. Yet one can't
talk about instrumental music in the Onaway public schools without at least acknowledging the great contribution of
the vocal music department. Some of the teachers of vocal music over the years are as follows: Lucille Baumgard
worked for Supt. Helmer Nelson, Jean Belstrom worked for Supt. Wayne Wilson, Faye Lee worked for Supt. William
McNeil, Phyllis Stone worked for Supt. Floyd Merritt, Carl McClutchey worked for Supt. Floyd Merritt, Harriet Lyon
and Mary Beth Carmine worked for John Hollander and Carol Post worked for Supt. James Hall.
Having grown up in Onaway and later teaching here for my entire career, the most vigorous and highly organized
vocal music program I witnessed came under the leadership of Phyllis Stone. Mrs. Stone not only developed
numerous ensemble groups, but ranked in district and state competition for choir, small ensembles and solos. She
was active in the production of senior high musicals and children's operettas, and other concerts throughout
the year.
The instrumental music program was commissioned by the school board in the mid-30s during the depression. Carl
McClutchey, a well-respected musician on the teacher's staff, was called on to organize and direct the new band
program.
It must be mentioned here that Lou Maxon was instrumental in initiating this new formal music program. Mr.
Maxon, a local Onaway boy who became a well-known advertising executive and established the Maxon Advertising
Agency, donated many of the instruments as well as the first high school band uniforms. His continued support
of the band program throughout the years provided opportunities for many Onaway students in music.
He contributed generously on several occasions towards new uniforms and other equipment. Carl McClutchey
developed and guided the new band program through some of the difficult times. When one realizes the period
in which he was the director, the Depression, World War II, the Korean War and half of the 50s before he met
his untimely death in 1956, you can begin to see the difficulties that he worked under. During the Depression
and the war years, money and instruments were in very short supply, yet he had great success in making a quality
program available.
We will continue next week with more of Mr. Pregitzer's music history and pictures.
-Onaway Outlook, September 28, 2012, p.3.
Retyped by J. Anderson.