The rest of the Rocket team on the field: December 17, 1983

In addition to the pep squad and cheerleaders, the other three groups to accompany the Rockets’ pigskin warriors in their pursuit of a dream has been the Mighty Rocket Band, the Galaxy Dance Team and, beginning in 1980, the Starlite Drill Team. This History would be grossly incomplete without recognizing, in particular, perhaps, the Rocket Band, given that this outfit, and its first and only Director until 1989, William F. "Bill" Haerr, was instrumental in developing the sound and beat of Rocket Pride.

Still pursuing a career as a Trumpet player in first the Cincinnati Symphony and then the San Antonio Symphony (at that time directed by the legendary Victor Alessandro), he answered a call in 1959 to be the music teacher for the tiny Judson Rural School District No. 8 and its even tinier High School that was just opening with 75 students. This included teaching instrumental music for the secondary school program as well as for any other kid who showed an interest or talent. As the 1960’s progressed, the Judson students wanted to have a marching band, so Mr. Haerr agreed, and set about getting one started. 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 at first in a frame house with little ventilation that was on the premises at Judson. Whereas the students would be in there for one or two class periods at the most, Mr. Haerr, with his office and a full schedule of classes, was in there for all class periods.

At this point, still a member of the San Antonio Symphony, he ultimately made the decision to work exclusively for Judson, given that the District was beginning to grow just a little bit faster than its first Superintendent (until 1981), William Sevier, expected after first believing the District enrollment would level off at about 600 toward the mid 1960’s. Located between both Fort Sam Houston on one end and Randolph AFB on the other, and what with the Cold War, the Vietnam "Conflict" (it looked like a war to me) and the like well underway by this time, it had by then become abundantly clear that much more was needed from and expected of what, in December, 1966, became the Judson Independent School District encompassing Kirby, Converse, Live Oak, Selma, and Universal City, along with lots of farmland and some subdivisions that were starting to dot the area in sundry isolated locations.

In spite of the enthusiasm of the students for the newly developing Rocket Band, Mr. Haerr wanted to make extra sure, above and beyond anything else, that they sounded good before going to the next phase, namely, actually marching. Indeed, I can speak from personal observation and experience, as a Band member while at Judson after much of the Band’s "pioneering" period had already passed, that he still preferred that we at least sounded good if nothing else worked on the field. Perhaps aspiring at one point to eventually direct his own Orchestra, the Rocket Band became his "orchestra," and he seemed to treat everyone in, as well as conduct rehearsals as if, we were members of an Orchestra of some kind rather than some High School Band—Marching, Symphonic, Stage, or what not. In other words, he was a real gentleman of the old school. And, he treated us as ladies and gentlemen and with the utmost of dignity, even at critical times, when tensions can be high, as we prepared for various UIL Band Contests. Sure, there were times when, being human, even he’d lose his patience, but even when this happened, you could see the presence of a gentle man, with a great dry wit that could, even in the most critical of moments, crack at least a few of us up. Although, just as much as everyone else, he wanted First Division ratings, being the gentleman that he was, he also tried to instill in the ladies and gentlemen of the Judson "orchestra" that, in the end, it truly was up to us (the Band members), because the only thing he could do was wave a stick on a podium on the stage, or, watch helplessly in the stands with everyone else as we were truly on our own down on the field.

Being of the old school, he also believed in artistry and style over simply doing the minimal to get by in order to receive a First Division rating. Furthermore, he had another challenge that not all people in his position had to deal with. As Judson was really starting to take off growth-wise, in going from 2A to 4A in only three years, its football program, though not entirely the doings of those running it, given the circumstances, was arguably one of the worst in the state. A major question, at that time, probably concerned how to get people into the stands under some seemingly hopeless circumstances. Mr. Haerr and his Rocket Band, and Ms. Pat Lyles’ ‘ladies,’ otherwise known as the Galaxies, by the mid ‘70’s had, perhaps, become the main "ambassadors" or representatives for Judson High School, in literally ‘taking it to the streets.’ As for football, let’s just say that many of the people came to the games primarily to see the Halftimes. And, as opposed to most of the other High School bands at this time that would tend to do the same routine each week---routines, mind you, that looked like they had been designed and then performed by people consuming Sominex as a regular part of their diet----the Rocket Band would perform as many as 4 different shows during the season, in ADDITION TO putting together and performing, for the final game of the year (at this time, ALWAYS the last game of the regular season), the Marching Contest show (the Marching Contest coming the week after the end of the regular season, whereas now, with the thing taking place in October, all bands, including Judson’s, have no choice pretty much but to get ready for the contest from the very start). The fans were never disappointed, the Rockets won every Halftime, if nothing else, as the Rocket Band and the Galaxies (using what were and still are the most variegated of costumes and other props) would do things other bands and dance teams would do only rarely, if ever.

Sometimes, the old school ways and the "ways of the world" (or the ways of the UIL judges, in this case) would clash. Mr. Haerr was never one to do things in some way just to please the judges. This meant not doing some "Sominex special" for the Marching Contest. Finally, this came to a head my Freshman year at TAMU, when as part of still another 2^nd Division Marching Contest rating, one of the judges essentially implied in the written critique, most subjectively, "I don’t like your style of marching." Mr. Haerr "surrendered" somewhat after this. SOMEWHAT. Following that stinging rejection, the Band did begin to adopt elements of the corps-style marching that everyone else had by now capitulated to, in addition to reducing the number of Halftime routines it would perform and, in 1981, played the same routine, intended for the Marching Contest, 10 times (ie, 10 Halftimes, meaning the 10 games that season). Nevertheless, it was probably one of the quickest-tempo and fastest design-transition shows of any I’d either seen or been a part of, which meant that, even after 10 presentations, it absolutely blew away the other "Sominex specials" showcased at Alamo Stadium. The Rocket Band broke through that season with its first Division I rating at the Marching Contest since moving into 4A/5A----all three judges giving "ones." It was the Marching Band’s 1st Division-I rating since Judson’s second and final year in 3A in 1973 (the previous years of repeated near misses did not go unnoticed by at least the Buffalo Band of Samuel Clemens, whose MC for their Halftime at Judson made a point of extending the Buffs’ congratulations for finally receiving the much-coveted prize). The various Concert and Symphonic Bands had received some First Division ratings during that time (1973-81), but also had had some painful near misses as well as some seemingly inexplicable ratings from individual judges. Following this breakthrough in 1981, the Rocket Band(s) never looked back in 5A. And, although Mr. Haerr capitulated somewhat to some of the demands/whims of the world (ie, judges), he, the assistant directors and the Rocket musicians they led still did it their way.

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, above all, included Judson’s school song, which was written and composed by Mr. Haerr. I don’t know where he got the inspiration for the music, but, the first time I heard it, not knowing what it was at the time (not hearing the words to it) I thought it was some church hymn. As the years have gone by, I’ve also come to appreciate much more the words, especially in view of some of the other schools’ songs which, to me, seem to say some meaningless, almost disjointed platitudes, along the lines of "hail to thee and thine hallowed halls." Judson’s song, in my opinion, actually says something. An appeal to excellence today and tomorrow, and not looking back, except perhaps briefly, and only if the benefits go beyond mere reminiscing. ‘Passing all others by,’ in other words, facing the future, our statures touching the sky, our voices, if not loud, at least quite clear---with confidence, in other words. Rocket Pride, basically, 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, as the team prepares to take the field, or following a PAT. Adapted from a portion of the long version of a marching arrangement to "The Eyes of Texas," this is some more evidence of the original thought of a gentleman with a certain sense of pageantry. This also included the Band’s use of the song "Procession To The Planets," that the Band would always march onto the field to, at the beginning of each Halftime for the better part of 10 years through the 1970’s. In other words, saying, "We’re Rockets. And this is the Rocket Band." Beginning in the late 1970’s and until about 1999, the Band would always play the first notes to "2001 A Space Odyssey" (I think that’s the name of the song) for each kickoff. Another tradition done regularly until about 1997 or so (the Band occasionally does it now, albeit not as often) is the use of "Rocky." Granted, maybe some people feel it was getting rather trite; nevertheless, this song’s actually a major part of the heritage of "Rocket Pride," since the movie (and hence the song) was popular through the early part of 1977 leading up to Judson’s 12-9 win over Clemens. Certainly, Judson went from there to write its own "Rocky" story. Either way, the fact that "Rocky" continued to be used through Judson’s pursuit of their dream and well beyond says a lot about the gentleman behind the music of Rocket Pride, and what may have been a keen sense of drama for what was going on, and how the "team" in the stands could do its part to support the crusade, whether it be "Rocket appropriate" music, or the percussion unit providing cadence and rhythm to Mr. Pachall’s "HEY!! HEY!!," or the words of the Cheerleaders. More often than not, "Rocky," just like the "HEY!! HEY" and the "D!! D!!….Defense!!" of Mr. Paschall, came when it was really needed. In other words, the Rocket Band may have also helped to win a few games. The Rocket Band was much more than some pretty-sounding "wall flower," in other words.

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 which, likewise at Texas Stadium, was his final Judson football game as Rocket Band Director. It had been a long way from the Symphony days in Cincinnati and San Antonio. It had been a long way from the tiny beginnings of Judson High School and the Rocket Band. Mr. Haerr was one gentleman who, just like "Rocky" in his first bout with "Apollo Creed," "went the distance," after starting with very little at a tiny High School that had very little, but who nevertheless made the best with whatever there was at the time, and did it with a little style and a lot of grace. With great love, in other words.

The Judson Alma Mater: A Timeless Call to Excellence for Today and Tomorrow (ie, before and after graduation, and no looking back)

Click HERE to see a few additional pictures of the Rocket Band and the Galaxies

Visit Judson High School Band on Myspace.com to see some of the latest efforts of the Mighty Rocket Band, or simply check the following videos of the 2006 UIL Regional Band Contest, or the Freshman Band Camp during the Dog Days of Summer, 2006

Judson H.S. Band