The Rural Voice, 1977-12, Page 27fallen into disrepair. It meant that the Christmas concert was a
really big affair, something that required all the strategic
planning of the D Day -invasion. The huge brick building (well it
seemed huge at the time) that housed the public school on the
lower floor and the high school on the upper floor, had no
auditorium as the modern schools do so the town hall, about two
blocks away, was the site of the big event. Early rehearsals, of
course, were held in the classroom but as the event drew closer,
it became necessary to rehearse in as close as possible to the
actual conditions. So we'd be marched holding hands in a human
chain downtown to the town hall.
The first visit to that building brought feelings that I suppose
today can only be equalled by a visit to the Parliament Buildings
in Ottawa or perhaps even Buckingham Palace. We were
marshalled, dressed and made up in the council chambers and
library downstairs. The library was familiar territory but the rest
of the building was like a foreign country. The stairs up to the
stage were from the rear of the council chambers and went right
by the town lock-up. 1 don't know when the lock-up had last been
used but it made a tremendous impression on a young boy of six
or seven. The thick bars, heavy doors and huge locks sent shivers
and thrills up the spine at the same time. One imagined
dangerous murderers, like characters from the mystery shows on
the radio, being held in these cells. At the same time one felt the
chill that somehow he might break some law he didn't even know
about and be unceremoniously tossed into the clink by the local
constable. The urge to play with the cell doors was great but the
hesitation that this might have been one of those unknown laws
waiting to be broken was even greater.
Upstairs a new world waited. There the stage of what seemed
as grand a theatre to me as Carnegie Hall was ours to perform
on. The velvet curtains opened and closed and the bright lights
stunned the eyes. Somehow, you expected some of the great
stars from the movies to walk on stage any minute.
I remember only two such concerts held before some higher
educational authority came to feel that such events were a waste
• of time that could be better used in learning the times tables.
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PG.2t .THE RURAL VOICE/DECEMBER 1977.
The first was when 1 was in grade one or two. We had a rhythm
band that year, complete with fancy crepe paper uniforms. I felt
really spec. '1 when 1 was chosen as one of only two drummers. It
sure seemed a lot more spectacular than ringing a triangle with a
dumb old nail. But after a few practices 1 wasn't so sure. The
drummers were right next to the cymbal players and after a few
days of that. I gave up my musical career for good.
The next concert was. if anything. even worse. The play. 1
think, took place in Santa's workshop with all the toys gathered
around. There were toy soldiers and other assorted toys played
by various classmates. Again I felt proud because I was going to
get to sing a song for my part. My part had its handicaps.
however. I played a jack-in-the-box and spent nearly all the play
crouching in a big appliance box borrowed from a local merchant
and appropriately decorated by the teacher before 1 could make
my starting entrance by bursting up out of the box. If 1 seem a
little hazy about the details of the play. you can see why. because
I missed most of it.
I got to hate rehearsals sitting in that stuffy boy tryin4 not to
go to sleep in the dark while I waited for my cue. By the time the
big show was over and they managed to wipe all the lipstick used
to make me look like'a clown off my face. 1 was ready never again
to go on stage.
Aside from the Christmas concert. the other big event of every
year was the coming of Santa Claus to town. The local merchants
sponsored the event every year and it was the kind of thing that
really stayed in one's memory.
There was a real parade in those days. complete with floats
and the high school band riding on a wagon. The way it stands in
my mind we lined up near the community centre in an area
marked off with snow fence so that things would be as orderly as
possible and Santa wouldn't get trampled in the rush as several
hundred kids rushed forward to get their candy (this was the age
of the baby boom remember).
Afterward it was over to the threatre for a free movie. I feel
sorry now. thinking back, for the person who had to clean up the
theatre after that matinee. More of the candy and popcorn. 1
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