THE NA T IO N 'S OLDES T ON THE WEB: COU nt RY DAY SC HOOL www.pingry.org/page. NEWSPAPER cfm?p=388 VOLUME CXXXVI, NUMBER 3 The Pingry School, Martinsville, New Jersey DECEMBER 18, 2009 Michael Gates Gill Student Actors, Musicians, and Artists Provokes Thought Collaborate for Friday Night Arts Event gant lifestyle. By SARAH MUIRHEAD (V) By ANISHA MOHIN (V) But all of that changed Every year, Pingry holds one cold March day after On November 20, 2009, an assembly called the “Fi- a large English company various vocalists, musicians, nance Café” for which a bought out J. Walter Thomp- and actors collaborated in speaker is invited to come son. 53-year-old Gates Gill the annual event, Arts Night. share some thoughts about was promptly dismissed Before the evening’s perfor- finance or the economy. For to make way for someone mances commenced, dinner this year’s Café, which was younger. He didn’t cope and beverages were served held on Thursday, Decem- well with the job loss, say- in the Hostetter Arts Center ber 3, Michael Gates Gill, ing, “It was hard for me….It lobby. Performances were in author of The New York really hurt to be fired.” the Men’s Choral Room, and Times bestselling memoir Gates then attempted the Balladeers and Button- “How Starbucks Saved My to be a consultant, which downs kicked off the night, Life,” came to share his quickly failed. Yet, unfor- performing “Dirat-On,” a story with the students and tunately for Gates Gill, his French piece composed by faculty. downward spiral wasn’t Morten Lauridsen. On the surface, Michael over: at age sixty, he was The Balladeers also per- Gates Gill seemed to have a diagnosed with a rare brain formed two additional pieces: perfect life. He was born to tumor. Though his doctor “In These Delightful Pleasant extremely affluent parents, was initially optimistic, Groves” composed by Henry graduated from Yale, and the unemployed Gates Gill Purcell and arranged by Ben- became a prominent, suc- was forced to admit that he Jamin Britten, and a modern- cessful advertising execu- didn’t have the health insur- ized version of The Beatles’ tive at J. Walter Thompson. ance to cover the operation “Yesterday” arranged by He had, in his own words “a necessary to correct his Renee Craig. Ben Hamm (V) beautiful wife and beautiful felt “the Balladeers’ rendition children” and an extrava- Continued on Page 5 of ‘Yesterday’ was an inter- esting and successful twist on the original.” The Buttondowns also performed two additional pieces: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and Dispatch’s Courtesy of Communications Office “The General” both arranged 6th Grader Serina Chugani dances an Indian routine. by Sean Salamon (VI). John Robby Allen (VI) on the bari- ma IV classes partook in actor must then take the place Kwon (VI) was the soloist tone saxophone and David various improvisation games of one of the other actors for “Thriller,” and Justin Martin (VI) on the drums. including Gibberish and and begin a completely dif- Sullivan (III) was the solo- The soloists for “5-5-7” were Freeze and Justify. In Gib- ferent scene that justifies the ist for “The General.” Kaela Nick Canavan (IV) on the berish, two actors act out a physical position they have O’Connor (V) thoroughly soprano saxophone and Mike scene and maintain nonsen- assumed. Mr. Al Romano, enjoyed the performances, Arrom (III) on the piano. sical conversation while two Head of the Drama Depart- saying, “Both soloists were After watching the perfor- more actors translate their ment, said “I liked the idea great, and the dance moves mance, Julia Dowling (V) dialogue. In Freeze and Justi- of having the drama classes for ‘Thriller’ were hysteri- said, “I love the Jazz Band fy, two actors act out a scene challenge themselves with cal.” because so many individual until the scene is “frozen” at The Jazz Band performed talents combine to make a random interval. Another Continued on Page 4 a medley of Charles Mingus professional-quality songs; tunes, including “Boogie they never cease to impress Stop Shuffle,” “Goodbye their audience.” Inside The Record Pork Pie Hat,” and “Better After the musical portion Get Hit in Your Soul.” They of the night, the audience also performed “5-5-7” by moved to Macrae Theatre, Pat Metheny. The soloists where juniors and seniors Courtesy of Communications Office for the Mingus medley were from the Drama III and Dra- Middle School Joins Upper School Music Ensembles in Winter Holiday Concerts tries as it took Giancarlo,” By SHAAN GURNANI (V) AND Pinke joked, referring to last LIZ JOLLEY (IV) year’s student body president This year’s All-School Giancarlo Riotto ’09, who Festival, held on Wednesday, fell victim to multiple faulty December 11, had a delayed matches. start due to the morning rain Next, the 6th Grade Boys’ and snow but quickly kicked Chorus took everyone’s off with a crowd pleaser, breath away with their young B.Morrison '64 “Deck the Halls.” Students voices, and entertaining ver- Swimmer James Ross (IV) competing in recent meet. seemed to enjoy this year’s sion of “Fa-La-La.” “It was exhilarating to see members Financial Education concert, including Victor Advocating the Arts N’Diaye (V) who said, “It of both campuses performing Head of Financial Aid at Lafayette was amazing. I especially together as a single com- Max DeChiara (VI) urges his fel- College Barry W. McCarty holds semi- loved the little candle light- munity,” Carina Chan (VI) low students to support Pingry's theater nar P5. program P2. ing.” Alex Parker-Magyar said. (VI) called it “great, a really 6th Grade Girls’ Chorus Underdog in Theaters had their spotlight while A.P. Aggravation solid set that illuminated my "The Blind Side" receives praise heart.” singing “Shepherd’s Pipe Phil Ryan (VI) examines the and touches its viewers P6. Students received a greet- Carol,” a more contemporary impact of the current A.P. policy on the ing from the Headmaster, piece by John Rutter, com- Upper School P3. who reminded everyone, plete with soloists and perfect Boys' Varsity Hockey “tis’ the season” to do com- pitch. The common tune of Bloody Success A Watchung Hills victory fore- the concert, “Fa-La-La” was shadows a successful season P7. munity service. Student body Pingry students and faculty donat- president Will Pinke (VI) sung once again by the 5th ed to the Blood Center of New Jersey Courtesy of Margaretta Lear-Svedman and kindergartener Bobby Grade Choruses, concluding P4. Cunningham kept up our the middle school solos. Student Body President Will Pinke lifts kindergartener Sections Bobby Cunningham doing candle lighting tradition. candle lighting tradition, only Next the 7th and 8th Grade Slam Poetry News...........................1,4-5 Band performed “Marina Del eers and Buttondowns sang Mr. Jay Winston. After that, taking two tries to light the Seniors jumpstart morning meet- Commentary..............2-3 Ray” by Lennie Niehaus. “Betelehemu,” accompanied 6th, 7th, and 8th Grade String candle. “He was the cutest ing poetry readings P4. Arts..................................6 Twisting things up with a Ni- by African drums performed kid I have ever lifted, and I’m Sports............................7-8 glad it didn’t take as many gerian folk song, the Ballad- by Mr. Sean McAnally and Continued on Page 4 2 THE PINGRY RECORD COMMENTARY DECEMBER 18, 2009 EDITORIAL Being an Actor in a Sea of Athletes: A Senior Why the Fourth "L" Reflects on His Various Drama Experiences information; it comes to me As we continued to talk, normally come to a play came By MAX DECHIARA (VI) every morning, when I find I was shocked to learn that to see our show, the Blue Should Be Learn to At the Pingry Martins- out who played well in the many did not know that the Army attendance was still ville campus, actors are un- boys' Soccer game and if we Winter Musical had been cast quite weak. doubtedly a minority among won the girls' Cross Country weeks ago or even that the I am not going to sit here Give athletes. I am not upset by meet. Sports are a very impor- show was “Sweeney Todd.” I and point fingers at other this uneven distribution of tant part of the community. could not believe that theatre students because I respect the fact that theatre is just I won’t lie. On Thursday, December 3, I was surprised to students: many of my friends However, I was shocked to learn was seemingly hear so many different reactions from the student body and play sports. But I am frus- theatre does not so unimport- not everyone’s “thing” – but faculty to Mr. Michael Gates Gill’s—better known as the trated with the view of theatre seem to carry that many did not ant. I would still like more sup- “Starbucks speaker’s”—speech. While several of my peers – and the arts in general – in the same weight. The Blue port for theatre in the com- and teachers seemed to thoroughly love his emotional rag- the community. Throughout De- know that the Winter Army has been munity. Sometimes you may to-riches story (riches-to-rags if you take it literally), others Everyday at 3:15PM, in- cember, I have Musical had been cast a great way to like something that you never seemed to question his credibility and genuineness. I think it stead of making my way to often practiced raise spirit for thought you would enjoy. is safe to say that there was truly a split in opinion towards the athletic fields like my my lines for the weeks ago.