DCHS Music - 3
Decatur County Museum
The Beginning - 1918
Music became a part of DCHS, which was then Decatur County High School, in the fall of 1918. Principal C.W. Smick requested that the school board add music to the school’s curriculum, which it did.
“Miss Lois Burroughs of Plainville has been employed to instruct vocal music in both the City School [which was the elementary school] and the High School for the coming year. She comes highly recommended in her line, and we are surely glad to see the school board giving attention to this line of education” (Oberlin Times Aug. 9, 1918).
“A special course in music has been added to the curriculum of DCHS. Two classes in vocal music have been organized in the High School, each meeting daily a period of 40 minutes. . . This course consists of a study of the voice, history of music, vocal practice, and the first principles of vocal music, such as sight reading and scales. The principal function of this course is to instill into the individual a desire for and appreciation of good music” (Decatur Dictator Jan. 30, 1919).
“Music is progressing nicely in the grades. The aim of our course is to develop the child’s voice to cultivate it and to keep its natural quality, which is sweet, soft, and flutey. Songs which instill a greater love of country and more loyalty to our country will be included in the regular course” (Oberlin Herald Sept. 19, 1918).
The music classes were off to a good start in the fall of 1918 until the Spanish flu struck and closed the schools for twelve weeks in October, November, and December.
“The music introduced into school for the first time in the history of DCHS has not had as many students as it was hoped there would be. This is partly due to the fact that the flu has caused the work to be so heavy, they could not carry the music. It is all due to the students never before being instructed in music. This is one of the of the greatest opportunities the students ever had, and it seems a shame it is not being used. . . Miss Burroughs has certainly done her part to make the class interesting, and we hope next year things will be in a normal condition and more students of DCHS will be able to take it” (Decatur Dictator April 24, 1919).
1919-1920 - Music instruction is here to stay
When September rolled around in 1919, music was still part of the curriculum and has been ever since. Gertrude Nevins was the music teacher that year, and DCHS also added instrumental music to the curriculum.
"Decatur County High School is going to have an orchestra. . . Mr. Knotter, who is a first-class instructor in music is going to have charge of the work and give music instruction to any who desire it and on any instrument they choose. The time can be well spent, not only for the value of the music itself, but for the reason of the half credit given for the work.
"The orchestra met for the first time Monday night, Sept. 29, and although there were not many present, more are expected to take up the course. [Rev. J.G. Knotter of the Presbyterian Church] plans to have one of the best orchestras in this part of the country to play for any occasion that may arise during the following term of school" (Oberlin Herald Oct. 9, 1919).
"The DCHS Orchestra appeared before Assembly for the first time March 17. The three selections played were remarkably well done. The progress of the orchestra under the direction of Rev. Knotter is almost incredible, considering that many of the players are barely more than beginners. DCHS takes off its hat to the orchestra and its director" (Decatur Dictator March 25, 1920)
The Vocal Department was also doing well under Miss Nevins.
"Miss Nevins has greatly improved the singing in Assembly by the use of popular music and late songs. "Smiles" and "Till We Meet Again" are favorites everywhere, and songs of this kind are more heartily welcomed by the student than old style, out-of-date music" (Decatur Dictator Sept. 25, 1919).
"[Miss Nevins] has taken a bunch a boys whom nobody thought could sing and has produced some real music with these same boys. Plan to hear them Friday night at the Opera House" (Oberlin Times Jan. 30, 1920).
"The cast of 35 [of the operetta 'Polished Pebbles'] has been thoroughly trained by Miss Nevins; the costumes are in readiness and everything points to a successful production" (Decatur Dictator Feb. 26, 1919).
Interest in Music grows
According to the Decatur Dictator in October 1920, “There seems to be a greater interest in music, not only vocal, but instrumental. . . A band has been organized in high school, and 17 members are enrolled. Mr. Knotter is a capable and enthusiastic director, and before long will have a band rivaling Sousa’s.”
By the fall of 1922, 50 students were in instrumental music (Decatur Dictator October 23, 1922), and by 1927, DCHS had three full-time music instructors and one in the elementary school.
“Oberlin has one of the most complete music departments in Kansas. ‘Almost every week,' said Principal C.W. Smick, ‘letters are received from school men seeking information about our music department. It has taken several years to develop this department to its present state, and the cooperation of the city and community have been important helps’” (Decatur Dictator Nov. 14, 1927).
What started in 1918 has become one of the most respected music programs in the state -- thanks to the music instructors, the music students, and the support from the parents and the community.
DCHS Music Teachers
1918-1919 - Lois Burroughs, vocal
1919-1920 - Gertrude Nevins, vocal; Rev. J.G. Knotter, instrumental
1920-1921 - Dot Ashlock, vocal; Rev. J.G. Knotter, instrumental
1921-1922 - Margaret Atwood, vocal; Gertrude Holcomb, instrumental
1922-1923 - Beulah Casler, vocal; Daisy Pierson, instrumental
1923-1924 - Horace Bowman, vocal; Daisy Pierson, instrumental
1924-1926 - Horace Bowman, vocal; Hazen Richardson, instrumental
1926-1929 - Charles Hinchee, vocal; Julius Piller, instrumental
1929-1930 - Ruth Scott, vocal; Julius Piller, instrumental (pictured)
1930-1932 - Virgil Parman, vocal; Julius Pillar, instrumental
1932-1933 - Mildred Nibert, vocal; Julius Pillar, instrumental
1933-1934 - Mildred Nibert, vocal; Bert Hostinsky, instrumental (pictured)
1934-1937 - Donald Johnson, vocal, Bert Hostinsky, instrumental
1937-1938 - Eula Smith, vocal; Bert Hostinsky, instrumental
1938-1939 - Nelson King, vocal; Bert Hostinsky, instrumental
1939-1940 - Nelson King, vocal; Gerald Weaver, instrumental
1940-1941 - Warren Wilson, vocal; Gerald Weaver, instrumental
1941-1942 - Niles Moffat, vocal; Gerald Weaver, instrumental
1942-1943 - Ruth Wilson, vocal; Clayton Krehbiel, instrumental
1943-1944 - Ruth Wilson, vocal; Clayton Krehbiel, instrumental
1944-1945 - Edith Shepherd, vocal; Leora DeFord, instrumental
1945-1946 - Bertha Boulls, vocal; Leora DeFord, instrumental
1946-1948 - Ada Friesen, vocal; Arris Johnson, instrumental
1948-1949 - Ada Friesen, vocal; Vincent May, instrumental
1949-1950 - Regina Wallace, vocal; Vincent May, instrumental (pictured)
1950-1951 - Regina Wallace, vocal; Vincent May, instrumental
1951-1952 - Shirley Spence, vocal; Vincent May, instrumental
1952-1953 - Nancy Lehman, vocal; Jack Fields, instrumental
1953-1954 - Lewis Williams, vocal; Jack Fields, instrumental
1954-1956 - Floyd Chronister, vocal; Vincent May, instrumental
1956-1957 - Floyd Chronister, vocal; Lonn Richards, instrumental
1957-1958 - Floyd Chronister, vocal; Lonn Richards, instrumental
1958-1961 - James Haney vocal; Lonn Richards, instrumental (pictured)
1961-1962 - Fern Secord, vocal; Lonn Richards, instrumental
1962-1965 - Paul Massey (pictured), vocal; Jerry Vance, instrumental
1965-1966 - Paul Massey, vocal; William Scriven, instrumental
1966-1967 - Taylor Mackinnon, vocal; William Scriven, instrumental
1967-1970 - Taylor Mackinnon, vocal; Jay Jolley, instrumental
1984-1987 - Susan Nelson (pictured), vocal; Ken Honas, instrumental
1987-1988 - Susan Nelson, vocal; Ken Morris, instrumental
1988-2000 - Susan Nelson, vocal; Neal Russell, instrumental
2000-2001 - Susan Nelson, vocal; Mr. Philo/Quentin Breese, instrumental
2001-2002 - Susan Nelson, vocal; Neal Russell, instrumental
2002-2005 - Susan Nelson, vocal; Deanne Spanier, instrumental
2005-2007 - Susan Nelson, vocal; Christie Morris, instrumental
2007-2014 - Susan Nelson, vocal; Sarah (Reif) Bricker, instrumental
2014-2015 - Susan Nelson, vocal; Joel Vinson, instrumental
2015-2017 - Susan Nelson, vocal; James Austin, instrumental
2017-2018 - Susan Nelson, vocal; Devin Carey, instrumental
2018-2019 - Kathryn (Haffner) Tremblay, vocal; Devin Carey, instrumental
2019-2023 - Kathryn Tremblay, vocal; Brad Persinger, instrumental
2023-Present - Lisa Johnson, vocal; Brad Persinger, instrumental
