[ traditions ] Pingry traditions like the Senior Talk are reminders that a student’s connection to Pingry lasts a lifetime. Students experience them in the moment and, as alumni, carry them forward and sustain them. There are countless Pingry traditions, some of which are covered in this feature, but too many to name in one issue of The Pingry Review. Since another issue is planned for Pingry’s Sesquicentennial year, readers are encouraged to share their favorite stories, to be published in the column “Traditionally Speaking.” In the meantime, enjoy reading and remembering!
All Students, Every Friday
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During Dr. Pingry’s time as headmaster, the students gathered every day for his morning chapel talks. Rather than a religious session, it was an opportunity to reflect on general principles that the boys could use in real life. Now, each Friday, students talk as fast as they walk when they head toward the entrance of Hauser Auditorium for yet another assembly. This tradition of gathering all the students together on Friday is a wonderful way to culminate the week with an hour of thought-provoking lecture, a drama performance, or an opportunity to just have fun. On Rufus Gunther Day, courtesy of the Student Activities Committee (SAC), students dress in costumes and “show off” their creations. Special Assistant to the Headmaster Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97, GP ’20 acts as host to get things rolling. Rufus Gunther Day was created by Joel Rogers ’70. Then, in 1972, Dan Phillips, Jr. ’59, P ’87 turned the event into a true Pingry tradition during his 10 years of teaching and coaching at Pingry (1967 to 1977). “If you give kids a reason to celebrate Halloween and make it ‘cool’ with costumes and prizes, they do it and love it. I wanted to juice-up student life a little bit,” he says.
Special Assistant to the Headmaster Miller Bugliari ’52, P ’86, ’90, ’97, GP ’20 wearing his trademark costume on Rufus Gunther Day: his father’s bowler hat from the 1930s and a captain’s jacket from the Willard InterContinental hotel in Washington, D.C.
Pingry celebrates the holidays with the All-School Festival, when Hauser Auditorium is packed with students, faculty, and staff from both campuses. The lights are low, and everyone anticipates the sounds of the season performed by choral and instrumental ensembles from the Lower, Middle, and Upper Schools. “I was so honored to have the opportunity to begin the festival by lighting the candle with Kindergarten student Charlotte Harrison ’24. Hand-in hand, we walked down the aisle, and she was beaming with enthusiasm. Together, as we lit the candle, we shared a special connection…a moment that I will never forget,” says Student Body President Marisa Werner ’12. A variety of music and participation by many ensembles are keys to the concert’s success. “We have the orchestra, Strings, Wind Sinfonia, Upper School Jazz Ensemble, Handbells, Choruses, and The Buttondowns and Balladeers—plus opportunities for the audience to sing along. The students practice so diligently, and you can tell. The concert puts everyone in a great mood,” says Music Department Chair Andrew Moore.
The All-School Festival demonstrates that musical traditions are part of Pingry’s heritage. The school song, “Old John Pingry,” with original text and original music by the late English teacher C. Brett Boocock, was composed in 1960 and revised in 1985 to reflect coeducation at Pingry. In addition, two hymns were composed for milestone events—the Anniversary Hymn (for Pingry’s 75th), with words by Mr. Newton and music by the late English teacher Casmir France, and the Centennial Hymn (for Pingry’s 100th), with words and music also by Mr. Boocock. In celebration of Pingry’s 150th Anniversary, a new school song in two versions (one for choir and keyboard, and the other for orchestra) has been commissioned from renowned choral composer Alfred Fedak ’71 and will premiere at the student performance for alumni at Kean University in April 2012.
Power of the Press In the early days when paper was king, students covered school news in a number of award-winning school publications. The oldest one, established in 1895, is the student newspaper, The Pingry Record. Students circulated hand-written items, prompting