Pastime: Sing the W.H.S. Alma Mater

By Maylon Rice

Football Friday Nights are almost here.

And I can, without a doubt, hear, yes, literally hear almost a half-century later, parts of songs, marches, drum cadences and band stand music from yesteryear, that brings a new tear to my eye.

It all starts for me, at least, with the school’s own song – the Alma Mater.

Remember it?

Sure you do.

As the new school year began, the musical staff of W.H.S., the Martin’s both Curry and Mary Lou, would always, focus, at least on the start of the year on getting “to know the schools’ unique song.”

As at times, when the 60- member mixed chorus or the 48-member band kids might gather en masse for a practice, to all our attention to the task at hand, Mary Lou Martin or Curry, would simply begin the session by introducing the musical score for the Alma Mater.

Mary Lou often in choir rehearsals just started quietly playing  the Alma Mater on the piano over the din of conversation, giggles, and horseplay, to calm the masses.

Quickly, I mean very quickly, order was restored and the education was to begin.

I was oh, so fortunate in my time at WHS to have some of the best, of that decade and I think for decades following, musicians both vocal and instrumental on those stages.

If I close my eyes right now and focus I can hear several young ladies in my class, oh, so softly sing those 41 words – they sound like angles singing.

And I mean several of them were not among the first chairs of the sopranos or lead altos of the choir. But when it came to the 41 words that gave us school pride – several – Debbie, Chrystal, Lynn, Alice, Jane, Sharon, Paulette, Lisa, Stephanie, Judy, Cindy and Barbara had few equals.

That didn’t mean that the singing from Cynthia, Dorothy, Jana, June and LoraNelle didn’t have sweeter and more exacting voices, but the first group mentioned, sang from deep within their souls – as we all did on this song.

I’ve included the words as a media photo in this essay for those who think they have forgotten the words. I know you haven’t. But take a peek anyway.

Now the bulk of the band tunes contrived and separated from some of the finest military marches ever produced on this earth, came from the genius mind of Curry Martin.

He was, as we all recall, at least during these sultry August practices, the man in the B’wana hat.

Yes, Curry Martin wore that odd-looking, stiff, pith helmet of sun reflected composite. The signature hat was his and his alone to wear.

 Martin, the very competitive and erstwhile band director at Warren High School- was indeed known the “March King” of Southeast Arkansas and we thought (and rightfully so) all of Arkansas.

You might have a fancy straw, or a cowboy style hat, to wear to keep the southeast Arkansas sun off you on these hot August afternoons.

But only Curry Martin wore the B’wana hat.

Yes, and the dictionary (pick any of them) would prove that definition as correct.

B’wana was a form or respectful address in parts of the subcontinent of Africa. Although, the term, as endearing as we band kids thought it was, that phrase was never uttered in his presence.

He would, on occasion, playfully acknowledge his “B’wananess” if there is such a word.

The old wooden band room was situated facing west on the southern end of Cherry Street in Warren. The old WWII wooden building was the last school building, before one came to O.O. Axley Field – Home of the Fightin’ Lumberjacks.

It was contrived by him and often him alone, how he would fine parts of such marches as “British Grenadiers, better known as British Eighth,” “Enter The Gladiators,” The Washington Post March,” “The Thunderer,” and others.

He often had to set our marching half-time show to tunes in which the band had musicians who could play the intricate music – such as the flute and piccolo solos found in “Stars and Stripes Forever,” or “Semper Fiedelis.”

We often played parts of “Anchors Aweigh,” while matching, and I’ll never forget glancing up to the press box and seeing U.S. Navy Retired Austin Rotton, leap to his feet when these strains of the old naval tune were played.

I always like just catching a quick glimpse of Nolan “Pinchie” Williams, a local painter, who was indeed a real war hero, standing during the National Anthem. He would stand-up, absolutely ram-rod straight from the first note to the final horn tones fading down from the bandstand, while the audience politely clapped in appreciation, at every game.

The community just loved Martin’s choice in marching tunes for the band.

Martin has a way to have the pep band, long before the University of Arkansas basketball program ever played the “William Tell Overture,” to match that song’s intro into a great “pep tune.”

As times were changing, the band quit playing “Dixie.” It was replaced by the “Washington and Lee Swing,” as the official pep song.

But we didn’t just play or sing these songs “willy nilly.” No we had purpose in all we played or sang.

Oh, No. The Martin’s made sure we knew the words – and what the words meant – like on the Alma Mater – and we were proud of those words.

I can tell you, I once literally wiped out and entire TV Jeopardy category on John Phillip Sousa – just from the information Curry Martin drilled into my head on the “March Kings,” music.

We knew every word of the National Anthem. We knew facts about every march tune we played.

And we knew and owned those 41 little words that starts with… “Hail to the Warren High….”

We were and are proud to sing that song, win or lose on a Friday night. Believe you me, the words mean something to all of us… And that is a Pastime I’ll always treasure.