Music at Port Huron High School
Music in Port Huron High School began as a definite part of the curriculum in 1910. Before that time, bits of singing took place very infrequently and mostly from a four-by-five-and-a-half-inch book known as “The Knapsack”.
In 1902, Miss Edna Fraser became the first supervisor of music in the Port Huron Public Schools. Formal music education was started at that time. Miss Fraser served in this capacity until 1943. During her period of service, an excellent grade program was established and developed (vocal only), and a start towards a program for the high school. Miss Fraser herself conducted choruses in the high school during this period and Miss Frances Brown, who taught Latin and also played the violin, gathered together eleven young players, ten boys and one girl, and formed the first orchestra.
In 1919, credit was first given for Music Appreciation and Orchestra, to augment credit in Vocal which had already been established.
Mention may be made here of a unique project known as a “Music Memory Contest”, which was participated in by the students under the direction of Miss Fraser. Selections from the classics were studied by means of records and lectures. This was a nationwide activity and Port Huron won several prizes. Many citizens still recall the project with gratitude for the life-enrichment they gained at that time.
Instrumental music came into its own in 1923, when Mr. Ernest Straffon joined the high school faculty. Mr. Straffon was a band man and he began immediately to build up a band. He was followed a year later by Mr. Leonard Challinor, who was a string expert and who established an excellent high school orchestra. He also gave private violin lessons and, in a short time, had, in addition, produced a Junior College Orchestra and a Kiwanis Club Orchestra.
These instrumental groups followed the same line of excellence that Miss Fraser had established and PHHS was on the map in the instrumental field as well as the vocal. In 1928-29, the PHHS band was the official band for Camp Custer.
Upon Miss Fraser’s retirement in June 1943, Miss Bess Hyde was chosen to succeed her. Because of the current “depression”, the orchestra was allowed to die. Its place was filled by vocal music since no expensive instruments are needed for singers. Vocal music, on the excellent foundation provided for by Miss Fraser, continued to flourish and thousands of PHHS Alumni have been exposed to the best in vocal music.
The Port Huron High School band, under the able direction of Mr. Straffon, also grew in size and excellence. PHHS band is now under the second to none in high school band circles.
Besides voice technique, ensembles and choirs, solo training and theory were offered. In addition to the daily classes mentioned above, each Monday noon a huge chorus assembled in the auditorium for an hour of fun and profit. All of these groups were presented in concert during the year. Small groups were greatly in demand by service clubs and other organizations.
One of the PHHS choirs’ most important contributions to the local scene was the annual presentation of a Christmas Concert in the Desmond Theater. This continued for ten consecutive years, from 1943 to 1954. During this period also, on several Good Fridays, appropriate music was featured.
(Taken from "PHHS Centennial Edition 1869-1969", published in 1969)
In 1902, Miss Edna Fraser became the first supervisor of music in the Port Huron Public Schools. Formal music education was started at that time. Miss Fraser served in this capacity until 1943. During her period of service, an excellent grade program was established and developed (vocal only), and a start towards a program for the high school. Miss Fraser herself conducted choruses in the high school during this period and Miss Frances Brown, who taught Latin and also played the violin, gathered together eleven young players, ten boys and one girl, and formed the first orchestra.
In 1919, credit was first given for Music Appreciation and Orchestra, to augment credit in Vocal which had already been established.
Mention may be made here of a unique project known as a “Music Memory Contest”, which was participated in by the students under the direction of Miss Fraser. Selections from the classics were studied by means of records and lectures. This was a nationwide activity and Port Huron won several prizes. Many citizens still recall the project with gratitude for the life-enrichment they gained at that time.
Instrumental music came into its own in 1923, when Mr. Ernest Straffon joined the high school faculty. Mr. Straffon was a band man and he began immediately to build up a band. He was followed a year later by Mr. Leonard Challinor, who was a string expert and who established an excellent high school orchestra. He also gave private violin lessons and, in a short time, had, in addition, produced a Junior College Orchestra and a Kiwanis Club Orchestra.
These instrumental groups followed the same line of excellence that Miss Fraser had established and PHHS was on the map in the instrumental field as well as the vocal. In 1928-29, the PHHS band was the official band for Camp Custer.
Upon Miss Fraser’s retirement in June 1943, Miss Bess Hyde was chosen to succeed her. Because of the current “depression”, the orchestra was allowed to die. Its place was filled by vocal music since no expensive instruments are needed for singers. Vocal music, on the excellent foundation provided for by Miss Fraser, continued to flourish and thousands of PHHS Alumni have been exposed to the best in vocal music.
The Port Huron High School band, under the able direction of Mr. Straffon, also grew in size and excellence. PHHS band is now under the second to none in high school band circles.
Besides voice technique, ensembles and choirs, solo training and theory were offered. In addition to the daily classes mentioned above, each Monday noon a huge chorus assembled in the auditorium for an hour of fun and profit. All of these groups were presented in concert during the year. Small groups were greatly in demand by service clubs and other organizations.
One of the PHHS choirs’ most important contributions to the local scene was the annual presentation of a Christmas Concert in the Desmond Theater. This continued for ten consecutive years, from 1943 to 1954. During this period also, on several Good Fridays, appropriate music was featured.
(Taken from "PHHS Centennial Edition 1869-1969", published in 1969)