The Coral Gables Times

Thursday, September 7, 1961, page 21 (of 47)

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Mom Prayed, Gulped Pills As Joanne Played by Ear

BY JOE C. MORRIS Correspondent Joanne Norman, 20, is as pretty as a Hollywood starlet — scholarly smart, and terrifically talented — as a concert organist. This brown-haired blue-eyed daughter of "Checker and Helen" (T. E.) Norman, 2612 San Domingo St., has few study-free days, this summer, before returning to Indiana University, in Bloomington, for her senior year. The university is giving her a scholarship in her final year and will also sponsor her application in October for a Fulbright scholarship which will enable her to continue organ study for a year in Europe with all expenses paid. Playing the organ solo role, with orchestra accompaniment, in the premier performance Wagner's "Die Meistersinger," this summer was one way she prepared for her European adventure. MOTHER COACHED "Mother was my coach, teacher and 'pusher on the piano' until I entered the sixth grade at St. Theresa's," she said, "and then the sisters introduced me to the organ. I've been in love with the 'king of instruments' ever since. While still in grammar school she visited Coral Gables Veteran's Hospital every every week day morning before school for three consecutive years and played high masses in the Catholic chapel. Later in high school she gave a full recital at the Ewing Gallery, which she refers to as her first "one-man show." Last spring she gave a recital at the university — her junior year — completely from memory. It was the first time in the school's history such a performance had been given. FABULOUS MEMORY "I had no idea she would play entirely from memory," said her mother. "All I could do was pray-pray-pray and take two tranquilizers." Joanne won first place and $50 in cash a few months ago, in the Young Artists Contest sponsored by the Indianapolis Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. The cash seemed to whet her appetite for the green stuff, for immediately after, she made arrangements to play semi-classical music one night a week the next year at the best commercial restaurant in Bloomington . . . for pay. Papa Checker interjected, "I've been telling her she ought to play at some place like La Pena's or Hasta Manana and make some money. To heck with this free stuff." But Joanne is not ready for the big money in music. She wants more education. She was an honor student all through high school and has been on the dean's list (an "A" student) at college every semester since she entered. She has been president of Sigma Alpha, a college professional music honorary for women, and co-rush chairman of her sorority, Delta, Delta, Delta. WON AUDITION She attended St. Mary's college in Notre Dame, Ind., for her freshman year and won an audition to play the organ with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. She transferred to Bloomington the following year, to study under Dr. Oswald Ragatz, one of the finest organ professors in the country. In addition to her studies and music schedule she serves on the college board for professional modeling for Bur- Joanne Norman dines and has modeled in Miami with Coronet Agency as well as the Coral Gables Country Club. Joanne is working toward a bachelor of music in organ, then expects to do graduate work for a Masters Degree. And a PHD if possible. Her brother Tom, a midshipman at Annapolis, until they found he was color blind, and this year a sophomore at Notre Dame, paid his sister a gallant compliment. "Based on past performances in her short but studious life." he said, "she'll get her PHD . . . it's just a matter of time."

St. Philips Begins Choir Practice

St. Cecelia's choir of St. Philip's Episcopal Church will resume choir rehearsals today (Thursday). All girls, nine years of age, and over who are interested in choral singing are eligible. The time is 4 p.m. The Rev. Ralph A. Harris, choirmaster at St. Philip's announces that the men's choral group has been singing in choral work since July. Dr. Harris who is professor of organ and theory at the UM, is organist at St. Philip's. All services resume the winter schedule beginning Sunday, Sept. 10.

WISE WORDS

Sudden glory is the passion which maketh those grimaces called laughter — Thomas Hobbes.

H. Hentz & Co.

Established 1856 Members New York Stock Exchange and other leading stock and commodity exchanges Edmond E. Dorit Wendell J. Brown Co-Managers Coral Gables office: 452 Biltmore Way Telephone HI 6-0841

FOAM RUBBER

FOR ANY PURPOSE LEWIS ON INDUSTRIES 2230 S.W. 8th ST. PHONE HI-8-4390

WALTER H. JACK J. PAUL H. Combs Funeral Home INC.

Serving Faithfully since 1896 Northeast Chapel 1539 N.E. 2nd Ave. Paul H. Combs, Sr., Mgr. Coral Gables Chapel 1661 S.W. Douglas Rd. (37th Ave.) Glen H. Spencer, Mgr. PHONE FR 3-2107 DADE COUNTY'S OLDEST FUNERAL SERVICE

Deaths in the Gables Adolph Ziegler, Here 10 Years

Services were held Friday for Adolph Ziegler, 541 Alcazar Ave., who died Aug. 30. He was 67. A retired mechanical engineer, Mr. Ziegler came to Miami 10 years ago from Cleveland. He was buried there. Mr. Ziegler is survived by his wife, Anna; two sons, two daughters; four brothers and one sister, all out-of-town. Van Orsdel's Coral Gables Chapel handled the arrangements.

Annie Graves, Church Worker

Mrs. Thomas L. Graves, a 36-year resident of Coral Gables, died at the Methodist Home here Aug. 27. She was 90 years of age. Mrs. Graves, formerly Mrs. Annie L. Bunch, came here from Atlanta, Ga., in 1925. She is survived by two sisters and a niece there. She was very active of the Atlanta Woman's Club in 1923. She was very active in church work here, being one of the founders of the Coral Gables First Methodist Church. She was also a member emeritus of the Order of the Eastern Star.

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE CHURCH SERVICES

Sunday Services 9:30 and 11:00 A.M. Sunday School 9:30 and 11:00 A.M. Wednesday Testimony Meeting 8:00 P.M. First Church of Christ, Scientist Coral Gables 410 Andalusia Avenue Free Public Reading Room Weekdays: 9 A.M. to 6 P.M. except Monday and Friday 9 A.M. to 9 P.M. Sunday: Reading only 2:00 to 4:30 P.M. 400 Andalusia Avenue

University BAPTIST CHURCH

LIFE'S BIG PICTURE is incomplete without Christ Church people get more from life and give more meaning to life through Church Worship. CHURCH WORSHIP IS FOR YOU WORSHIP 8:30-11 Α.Μ. Msg. by Rev. Gerald Cates 7:45 Ρ.Μ. "Sermon in Song" Directed by Cecil Harper with Meditation in Art by Mr. & Mrs. Howard Bradley 9:30 A.M. Bible School 5:45 P.M. Fellowship Supper 6:30 P.M. Training Union and New Member Fellowship Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. Prayer Service RIVIERA DR. & SEGOVIA ST. Coral Gables Y. Rupert Coleman, Ph.D., Pastor

Philbrick Funeral Homes

"The Cost is a Matter of Your Own Desire" all (5) Locations 145 205 275 305 345 390 425 445 UP COMPLETE Funeral Cost Index THE PHILBRICK Funeral Homes Metal Caskets from $450 Hardwood Caskets from $460 Guaranteed Prices Cremation — add $50 MIAMI 660 W. FLAGLER CORAL GABLES 837 PONCE DE LEON BLVD. SOUTH MIAMI AT KENDALL, U.S. 1 AT S. W. 106TH ST. MIAMI SHORES 11415 N.E. 2ND AVE. HIALEAH — MIAMI SPRINGS OLIVE DR. AT OKEECHOBEE RD. FR 3-6363 Our Educational Department will furnish Detailed Information upon request without obligation

Southeastern Security Services, Inc. To acquaint you with SNAPPER CREEK PATROL

9300 South Dixie Highway and its services: 1. COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PATROL 2. GUARD SERVICE 3. COMPLETE INVESTIGATING SERVICE SERVING ALL OF SOUTH DADE PHONE MO 1-4239 or FR 1-1696