Word: pierians
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Dates: during 1950-1959
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...life was not all gaiety. Broken strings, lack of necessary instruments, no permanent rehearsal room were problems that continually nagged the Sodality. Pierian pertinacity, however, eventually overcame these predicaments. Almost more important and certainly harder to solve were the Pierian's treasury and membership roster, both of which fluctuated greatly. In 1818 the treasurer reported that the treasury contained $0.00, but presumably this situation was only temporary, because soon after they agreed that "brandy is an excellent ingredient for precipating harmonious sounds...
...Complaints in 1832 about the Sodality's serenading led the University to ask the four members to resign, but Henry Gassett '34, the flute player, refused. For two years he met with himself, wrote up the minutes, played to himself, paid dues, and probably drank with himself. His Pierian spirit gradually attracted other musicians so that they were strong enough to found the Glee Club in 1834, and to play for a Porcellian Club entertainment...
...President, faculty, and students attended. Since the Sodality's appearance was considered a special occasion, pre-concert jitters were the rule. "How many were disappointed when they cast their eyes over the bill of fare and saw a blank where they are wont to see "Music by the Pierian Sodality." Sometimes the Pierians were so busy bracing themselves with a bumper that they almost missed the exercises, or arrived too breathless to play...
Although the mark of change could be seen on the Sodality's activities--they went on trips to neighboring towns in trolley cars instead of horse cars--the basic pattern of meeting, drinking and abjourning did not change much during their first 75 years. Later, however, football matches between Pierian and the Glee Club, and trips to Wellesley, Smith, and Radcliffe were added to the agenda...
...lineup of the first football game, occurring in 1882, showed the Glee Club's basses in the center and the tenors on the outside, whereas the strings and winds spread themselves evenly over the field. Pierian kicked off to the tune of the Marseillaise and the Glee Club received, singing Yankee Doodle. Yankee Doodle was too much for the Muses' followers--the singers...