Memories

                 Lull'd in the countless chambers of the brain,  

                 Our thoughts are link'd by many a hidden chain;    

                 Awake but one, and lo, what myriads rise!     

                 Each stamps its image as the other flies.  

                                                                                                 Pope   

     Our memories are our "time machine."  They can take our thoughts and feelings back to when we were young men and women - and even back to when we were very young children.  I still have vivid memories of a Christmas Eve when Santa Claus knocked on the front door of 3241 East Baltimore Street.  My sister, Carolyn and I were hiding on the winding staircase waiting for Santa Claus, wondering how Santa could come down our chimney when we didn't have a fireplace or a chimney.  I was three years old and Carolyn was four and that night brought us to the realization that, in Highlandtown, Santa just came in through the front door!  We found out, years later, that Santa Claus, in 1947, was really our Uncle James.

      Ten years later, in 1957, the Clipper Choir of Patterson Park High School was very well established.  Under the direction of Mr. Robert Johnson the choir had grown to 55 members and its reputation as one of America's best high school choirs had spread throughout the country.  During this same year the choir attended a national Kiwanis Club Convention held in Atlantic City.  The choir's performance was outstanding and the happy bus ride back to Baltimore was an experience not soon to be forgotten by choir members and their chaperones.

      The Clipper Choir entertained at many school functions including the traditional Christmas and Easter assemblies.  The assemblies were religious and Christian songs like "O Little Town of Bethlehem", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing", and "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" were often performed at Christmas.  For Easter, "Were You There", "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded", and "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" were sung with reverence and enthusiasm.  Much of the school participated in the performances including the Clipper Choir, Patterson's school band, the Art Department and Art Service Club - as well as members of the Thespian Society and many faculty member.

      Before the onslaught of political correctness, Bible reading was a part of every school morning.  Prayers were often said at school assemblies and other school functions.  Christian and Jewish holidays were acknowledged or celebrated in every public school in Baltimore.

      In 1959 the choir went to Washington, D.C., where they sang for the Kiwanis at the 6th Congressional Convention.  The choir also performed at many community functions and at several schools including Eastern High School and Roland Park Junior High School.

      At a school concert in late March, 1960, several members of the choir received service awards for their participation in the choir.  Ronald Johnston and Karen Jones received letters.  Receiving the symbol of the eighth note were Jay Magsamen, Ronald Lippa, Prudence Weinhold, Barbara Wiseman, Maureen Day, Mary Anne Misterka and Madeline Antkowiak.

      The beautiful, melodious sound of the Clipper Choir took much practice, discipline and patience to achieve.  Students were required to practice every morning from 8:00 to 9:00am.  Although Mr. Johnson had a delightful sense of humor he was also very firm, assiduous - and very much the "choirmaster."

      I was a member of the choir, tenor section, in 1959.  But because I started working after school and lived in northeast Baltimore I could not make all of the rehearsals.  I had to drop out before I ever hit a high C!  Ronnie Lippa, as written in my yearbook, suggested that I practice "hard" to hit a high C.  Mr. Johnson wrote in that same yearbook:  "Here's hoping you'll soon reach those low notes Chris."

      In June of 1961,  22 of the choir's 55 members would graduate...  taking with them many wonderful memories of one of Patterson's great treasures,  the Clipper Choir.

      Christopher Newman               September  29,  2011