| History of the Rocket Band |
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__________________________ The Judson High School Alma Mater A Timeless Call to Excellence for Today and Tomorrow Above the broad Texas plain Soar our rockets ever high Bringing glory and honor As they pass all others by Hail to thee our Alma Mater Hail to thee, Oh, Judson High With our voices loud and clear, We will praise thee to the sky. With our voices loud and clear, We will praise thee TO THE SKY!! Written by William F. Haerr Judson's first Band Director, 1959-1989 __________________________ |
Mr. Haerr was the first and only Director until 1989 and was instrumental in developing the sound and beat of
Rocket Pride. He answered the call from Judson students to begin a marching band in the 1960's. It was an
educational experience for him as much as it was the students, given that he would be starting from literally
nothing, in a School District with practically nothing. Mr. Haerr was able to locate and acquire Judson’s first band
uniforms after making contacts with one of the larger High Schools in San Antonio that was in the process of
replacing theirs. And so it began with the Rocket Band meeting in a frame house with little ventilation on
the premises at Judson.
In spite of the enthusiasm of the students for the newly developing Rocket Band, Mr.Haerr wanted to make sure,
above and beyond anything else, that they the sound was good before any marching began. Mr. Haerr and his
Rocket Band, and Ms. Pat Lyles’ ‘ladies,’ otherwise known as the Galaxies, had become the main ambassadors
or representatives for Judson High School by the mid 70's. As for football, let’s just say that many of the people
came to the games primarily to see the halftime performances. Opposed to most of the other high school bands
performing the same routine each week, the Rocket Band would perform as many as 4 different shows during the
season. The fans were never disappointed.
The Rocket Band broke through in 1981 with its first Division I rating at the Marching Contest since moving into
4A/5Awith all three judges giving "ones." It was the marching band’s 1st Division-I rating since Judson’s final year
in 3A in 1973. Following this breakthrough in 1981, the Rocket Band(s) never looked back.
Also doing it "their way" was the Rocket Band as they provided a unique identity to what came to be known as
Rocket Pride. This included Judson’s school song, which was written and composed by Mr. Haerr. Judson’s
song is an appeal to excellence today and tomorrow, and not looking back except perhaps briefly to, reminisce.
‘Passing all others by,’ facing the future, our statures touching the sky, and our voices with confidence. In other
words, Rocket Pride long before it was known as such.
Also unique, perhaps, has been the Band’s playing the song "Judson Will Shine," following the Fight Song. It is
adapted from a portion of the long version of a marching arrangement to "The Eyes of Texas". Judson went from
there to write its own "Rocky" story. "Rocky" continued to be used through Judson’s pursuit of their dream and
well beyond. Whether it be the playing of "Rocky," the percussion unit providing cadence and rhythm to Mr.
Pachall’s cheers of "HEY!! HEY!!", "D!! D!! ….Defense!!," or the words of the cheerleaders, it came when it was
really needed. The Rocket Band may have helped win a few games.
Mr. Haerr died on December 17, 1999. Ironically, this was the same date that Judson won State the first time in
1983. It was also the same date in 1988 of his last Judson football as Rocket Band Director. Mr. Haerr was one
gentleman who, just like Rocky in his first bout with Apollo Creed, "went the distance". He also lead with
style and a lot of grace.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The above history was excerpted from http://www.judsonrocketball.com/index.html and written by Giles Babb.
Many thanks to the author for this detailed history.
Rocket Pride. He answered the call from Judson students to begin a marching band in the 1960's. It was an
educational experience for him as much as it was the students, given that he would be starting from literally
nothing, in a School District with practically nothing. Mr. Haerr was able to locate and acquire Judson’s first band
uniforms after making contacts with one of the larger High Schools in San Antonio that was in the process of
replacing theirs. And so it began with the Rocket Band meeting in a frame house with little ventilation on
the premises at Judson.
In spite of the enthusiasm of the students for the newly developing Rocket Band, Mr.Haerr wanted to make sure,
above and beyond anything else, that they the sound was good before any marching began. Mr. Haerr and his
Rocket Band, and Ms. Pat Lyles’ ‘ladies,’ otherwise known as the Galaxies, had become the main ambassadors
or representatives for Judson High School by the mid 70's. As for football, let’s just say that many of the people
came to the games primarily to see the halftime performances. Opposed to most of the other high school bands
performing the same routine each week, the Rocket Band would perform as many as 4 different shows during the
season. The fans were never disappointed.
The Rocket Band broke through in 1981 with its first Division I rating at the Marching Contest since moving into
4A/5Awith all three judges giving "ones." It was the marching band’s 1st Division-I rating since Judson’s final year
in 3A in 1973. Following this breakthrough in 1981, the Rocket Band(s) never looked back.
Also doing it "their way" was the Rocket Band as they provided a unique identity to what came to be known as
Rocket Pride. This included Judson’s school song, which was written and composed by Mr. Haerr. Judson’s
song is an appeal to excellence today and tomorrow, and not looking back except perhaps briefly to, reminisce.
‘Passing all others by,’ facing the future, our statures touching the sky, and our voices with confidence. In other
words, Rocket Pride long before it was known as such.
Also unique, perhaps, has been the Band’s playing the song "Judson Will Shine," following the Fight Song. It is
adapted from a portion of the long version of a marching arrangement to "The Eyes of Texas". Judson went from
there to write its own "Rocky" story. "Rocky" continued to be used through Judson’s pursuit of their dream and
well beyond. Whether it be the playing of "Rocky," the percussion unit providing cadence and rhythm to Mr.
Pachall’s cheers of "HEY!! HEY!!", "D!! D!! ….Defense!!," or the words of the cheerleaders, it came when it was
really needed. The Rocket Band may have helped win a few games.
Mr. Haerr died on December 17, 1999. Ironically, this was the same date that Judson won State the first time in
1983. It was also the same date in 1988 of his last Judson football as Rocket Band Director. Mr. Haerr was one
gentleman who, just like Rocky in his first bout with Apollo Creed, "went the distance". He also lead with
style and a lot of grace.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The above history was excerpted from http://www.judsonrocketball.com/index.html and written by Giles Babb.
Many thanks to the author for this detailed history.
| William F. Haerr |