Page 4 - 1918 November - To Dragma

8 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI
"CARRY ON"
Undoubtedly all Alpha O's are mourning the demise of their music
committee! Just to show that we've lots of "kick" left, even though
we were temporarily listed among the casualties on account of war
and marriage, we're printing twelve songs in this issue. We hope
you'll all sing and sing them until you've given them a good trial.
When you're f u l l of "sing," sit down and write one more song and
send it along; for some day we are to have a new songbook and we
want in it only songs that we all like to sing. I f you can't write a
new song, write us a letter and tell us how you like these. We are
hungry for suggestions.
The songs we are printing were submitted or gathered in the spring
of 1917 when we were getting ready for Convention. Why the Con-
vention was given up is ancient history now, and the tug during 1917-
18 is known to you all. But because we all feel that now more than
ever we need the inspiration of Song, these are sent out to you like
the Biblical "bread upon the waters" and we're trusting they will
come back buttered.
You remember we promised a prize in '17. That ten dollar bill
has undoubtedly purchased two war saving stamps by this time, for
no song was adjudged worthy the prize. We can't promise a reward
this time, but we might surprise you. So polish up your wits and
let's see i f we cannot publish a really first-class songbook, f u l l of for each chapter, too. We've been hearing for two years of "Rho
sparkling poetry and catchy melody.
Perhaps a hint as to the response from the chapters to our first
plea for songs will not be amiss now. We had twenty active chapters
then—from eleven we received replies but songs from only seven!
But that's ancient history, too, and long before we had the lesson of
100 per cent Americanism. The response this year, we feel sure, will
be 100 per cent for that is the way to put a songbook "over the top."
How can each chapter do its share? Here are some suggestions.
First, appoint a chapter musician. She should combine two charac-
teristics. I n the first place, she should be musical, of course, and in
the second place, and almost more important, she should be a "live
wire"! I want her to write me what she is doing to stir up interest
in singing in her chapter. I want to know, for instance, whether she
has a copy of our old songook published in 1906 and a copy of songs
published in To DRAGMA November, 1915, May, 1916, and Novem-
ber, 1916. Beside these she should have a book or two of familiar
songs because the H . C. L . is interfering with our printing music this
time, and we can only tell what tune to look up. I ' m going to
suggest that each chapter musician send f o r a copy or two of 5 5
TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 9
Songs and Choruses for Community Singing, published by C. C.
Birchard and Company, Boston, Massachusetts, price ten cents. This
is a splendid edition and will be an inspiration, I know. Then use
imagination, inspiration, and perspiration and get the girls to sing-
ing! Memorize the songs you like best, and tell me about them. I
want to become acquainted with each one of you musicians and your
problems.
Second, don't stop at appointing a chapter musician. Get busy!
Here are some of the songs we need. Can't you help by sending a
suggestion anyway?
We need a beautiful poem to be set to music for use during initia-
tion. Elsewhere in this issue you'll find a lovely poem we'd like to
steal from the pen of Charles Kellogg Field. I t will perhaps be
suggestive to some poetic mind. Then we need a short, simple song
for grace before meals. A never-to-be-forgotten meal was one at
Mills College when 200 girls sang the Doxology behind their chairs.
I t created a beautiful atmosphere.
We need class songs. Freshmen, can't you give us one on the joys
of service!! Seniors, how about a parting song? Why not a will,
suggested by When I Leave the World Behind? Why don't we have
some Alpha O rounds? Rounds are great fun to sing. There are a
number i n the "Community Singing" book. We want a special song
of Alpha O." Do send it on. Can some Rho girl send the music
to the whistle song? That is great, too good to keep, Rho. These
are offered merely as suggestions. You may have a pocket f u l l . I f
you have any, spend ten minutes and three cents, and let's see i f this
winter we can't weave a bond of song that will bind all Alpha O's
more closely together.
There never has been a time in our history when song has been so
emphasized. General Pershing says to send music along with food
and ammunition. I f the boys need i t "over there," the girls need it
"over here," so "Carry on"!
MAE KNIGHT SIDDELL, 2, 06,
Chairman of the Music Committee.