My Best Summer of All, 1936

The first week-end after school was out, a Music Camp for all high school kids in Nebraska got underway. This was with the Uni. of Nebr. music department. Orchestra, which included all instruments and not just strings, and a chorus of mixed voices (boy/girl). I was in the chorus so I'll say no more about the orchestra except that each member had the same stuff the singers had. Voices were quickly tried out by several teachers, and I was put with the high sopranos. We had chorus practices twice a day at the university's Temple theater. Also each day, but only once, we had singing section practices. Twice a week each of us had a private voice lesson from one of the uni.'s teachers. And each of us had a practice hour in one of the practice rooms at the School of Music building. Now all that kept us very busy, but even so a group of us from Lincoln High managed to hang out in the ladie's lounge in the School of Music basement. And our practice hours were more of a fun time when we gabbed and played all the nameless duets on the piano. There was a piano in each practice room on all floors. The out of town kids stayed and had meals at the dorms. Town kids were on their own for lunch. A group of us usually headed for Woolworth's lunch counter. This was 5 days a week from, I think 8:30 to 5:00. And it was fun, fun, fun! We memorized several songs that were of a variety and really great. I only remember a part of one of them--about a farmer who lived in the west country and had daughters one, two, and three, bow down, bow down. Etc. That took care of my daylight hours and now for the evenings.

I was 16, my friend Jerry Nelson had hit 17 the Feb. before. And we were mixed up with our NAVAM girls plus kids of both sexes from the Lutheran church. We got together every evening at Jerry's house because her mom made us welcome. They had a big basement room with a phonograph and lots of records of dance music, so we learned ballroom dancing that summer. And sometimes we gathered on the front porch (with the porch light on and the bugs thick) and sang songs or just talked. Mrs. Nelson or Mr. Nelson kept pretty close tabs on us. And Mrs. Nelson handed out root beer floats at the end of each evening. Sometimes my dad and Mr. Nelson hauled us to Capitol Beach, the amusement park, where we would go on the rides (such as they were then) and have picnic suppers. There came one night when my folks said I had to stay home and visit with them--and my sister and her husband who were living with us at the time. I was horrified and then surprised about how much fun I had with just my family!

At the end of the music camp--8 or 9 weeks--we put on a concert at the coliseium, and had a huge crowd to cheer for us. All those town parents and all those from all over Nebraska who had to come and collect their kids.

I finished off the summer by visiting a friend, Elizabeth, who lived in Talmadge, Nebraska--population of 500. I met her when we both played in the piano carnival during the spring. My folks took me there on Thursday afternoon and came for me on Sunday. We were on the go every minute, but the most fun was the County Fair. We enjoyed every ride and looked at all the exhibits. Richt after that bit of vacation it was school time again. I can hardly believe it all took place 72 years ago! Now I expect comments since I am a VIP!!!