Roughneck Band History
These interesting articles were written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979, who was a twirler and reporter for the band her senior year. If you have additions or corrections to this early history of the band, contact the directors.
1935-1942
Roughneck Band Makes History
The late 1930’s and 1940’s. Time of World War II. Time of death. Depression. This is all history to us. But you wonder what went on besides this. For example, what the White Oak Band did throughout these years?
Glenn Hutton, a minister, served as a private instructor to students interested in band in 1935. He formed the first White Oak Band on a volunteer basis. He was allowed only two days a week to work with the band students. In the summer of ’36, WO hired Ellis Wood to teach band. Before being employed at White Oak, he taught band in the Rio Grande Valley.
A small room under a garage of an apartment served a band hall then. The band consisted of 36 members, 16 from the original band. At the beginning of the school year, the school began to buy the instruments for the students.
The Band entered a contest at Kilgore. They had an excellent showing, but weren’t eligible for awards because they didn’t have regulation uniforms. They wore white shirts and pants. During the summer of ’37 the school purchased uniforms for the band. This formed a great sense of pride in the band students and caused excitement throughout the community. At the beginning of the school year, the band moved from the previous building they occupied and moved to a frame building in the back of the school.
The first drum major of the WO band was a male, Billy Anders. There were only two majorettes, Audine McCarthy and Eveline Keller.
During ’37, WO was represented by the band on the following occasions: parade at Longview at the opening of the free fair; the Longview Horse Show, the parade at the Tyler Rose Festival; the Yamboree parade at Gilmer; the Gladewater and Gilmer Christmas parades; and the Cotton Bowl game on New Year’s Day. The band gave two well-planned concerts, one at WO and the other at Big Sandy, and also played at the football games during the season.
The instrumentation was as complete as any band in East Texas, including all instruments that are common today. Mr. Wood was responsible for the progress the band had shown during these years.
In the year of 1939, Mr. Wood’s band contained 61 members, with Eugene Maloney serving as Drum Major. Mr. Wood organized a “Pep Band” composed of the best musicians of the band. The Pep Band served on occasions when only a small band was needed.
The Roughneck Band was invited to the Kilgore College game against Lamar to perform at halftime. The also marched in a parade before the game. Not long afterwards, the band got an invitation to Nacogdoches for the Stephen F. Austin football game. The comment was made that “the band was becoming popular with both of these schools.” At Christmas, the Roughneck Band marched in the traditional Longview Christmas parade, and later in the year played a program over KFRO.
Near the close of the year, the Roughneck Band entered the regional meet in Longview. They won a first division, which qualified them for the State Band Meet in Waco. They attended and received a I in marching and a II in playing.
The final years of Ellis Wood’s administration cannot be accounted for because there are not any records of these years due to the war. He did stay at White Oak until inducted into the War on December 8, 1942. He accumulated a total of 23 trophies throughout his years at White Oak.
Next…1943-45 Band Affected By War
These interesting articles were written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979, who was a twirler and reporter for the band her senior year. If you have additions or corrections to this early history of the band, contact the directors.
1943-45 Band Affected By War
Through the years of 1945-45, the war had affected the band as it had almost everything else. This caused a shortage of directors. Because of this our rivals then, Pine Tree, shared Mr. Norman White with White Oak. In the morning he would work with Pine Tree and in the afternoon he would come to White Oak. This seemed to help good sportsmanship a great deal, too, because at the football games the band combined and cheered each other’s teams. The two bands would split up, of course, at the White Oak-Pine Tree games.
The highlight of their year was when the bands gave a joint spring concert. Since the regional and national contests had been discontinues for the duration of the war, it altered the band’s activities. During the year they provided pep at all the football games and participated in parades for each holiday.
The Drum Major for the ’42-’43 year was Eloise Holley and the twirlers were Louise McWhirter and Mary Stewart. There were about 45 members in the band that year. Eloise Holley also served as the Drum Major for the ’43-’44 year, and the twirlers were Louise McWhirter and Mavanee Cumbie. The band consisted of about 41 members.
In 1944-45, the band received a new director, Major H.L. Walker. While teaching our students part-time, he was also serving as Kilgore College band director. His main purpose was to keep our band alive until we could find a new director. He worked with 39 members one period a day.
Eloise Holley served as the Drum Major again and the twirlers were: Betty Byrd, Leatrice Wood, Dottie Jo Holley, Doris Cole, Louise Mustin, and Doris Byrd. For the first time we had flag bearers: Joan Miller, Alice Marie Ott and Helen Bradham.
Next…The Swicegood Years
These interesting articles were written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979, who was a twirler and reporter for the band her senior year. If you have additions or corrections to this early history of the band, contact the directors.
Swicegood Leads 1946-1950 Band
It was 1948 and the White Oak High School Band was headed for the Big Apple. They were traveling to New York’s Yankee Stadium to represent the Lion’s Club at their international meeting under the direction of Roy Swicegood. It was a bit unusual for such a small town band to be traveling to such a big city, but Swicegood was known for turning the ordinary into something very extraordinary.
Maybe it all started with how he was hired. It was then 1946 and Swicegood was just getting out of the service. He was driving down the road and saw the White Oak sign, so he pulled into the school, went into the high school office and told C.C. Simmons he needed a job and he had a major in music. We just happened to need a director, and he was hired on the spot.
During his four-year stay, Swicegood made “White Oak Band” a phrase that almost everyone recognized and respected. He changed the band into a showband using a shuffle step while marching fast with no yardlines on the football field for the band to judge distance by.
Swicegood was an energetic man with a tremendous drive. He was also a strict disciplinarian who carried a board with him at all times.
In 1946 Swicegood took the band to Enid, Oklahoma for their first ever Tri-State Band Festival to ever attend. Enid was close to his alma mater and he wanted to show them off.
1948 proved to be a busy year for the band. They again traveled to Enid for the Tri-State Band Contest and also to the Texas Contest at Nacogdoches, were the official ’47 Yamboree Band in Gilmer and were the official band for Penn State in the Cotton Bowl just to name a few of the contests attended.
New York was the highlight of 1948 when they played in Yankee Stadium. The band took chartered Sunshine Trailway buses on the trip that lasted 16 days. Swicegood’s directorship ended in 1950. He had built the band up to 88 members. There were two Drum Majors; Mary Jackson and Betty Brookshire, and seven twirlers.
(Editor’s note: Two of Mr. Swicegood’s band members in these years were
John “Pete” Kunkel and Bobby Goff. Both of these gentlemen went on to careers in music education, and are recognized in the Phi Beta Mu Texas Bandmasters Hall of Fame. Click on their names above to view their biographies.
Next…Swicegood’s Reign Ends in 1950
These interesting articles were written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979, who was a twirler and reporter for the band her senior year. If you have additions or corrections to this early history of the band, contact the directors.
Swicegood’s Reign Ends in 1950
Although Jess Petty couldn’t step into Swicegood’s shoes, he did manage to step into the band hall that Swicegood designed himself for his purposes. This is the same band hall that our band is presently occupying which was constructed in the year of 1951, the same year that the Longview Band Director, Mr. Pete Kunkel, graduated. (Editor’s note: This building, originally detached from the former High School (Meredith) building, is now attached to the Middle School building and is still being used by our 6th grade and Middle School band students.)
Chicago, Illinois was the destination of the White Oak Band this year. On the way, Centralia, Illinois welcomed them with a banquet. At Whiting, Illinois they marched in a parade and at the Chicago State Fair they played for the visitors.
J. D. Tomlinson took over the directorship in 1952 til 1953 and had a band of 81 members. He took them to perform at the presentation of “Miss America” at the Fair Park Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The year of 1954 brought Frederick McDonald as the new director. His band consisted of 78 members.
Wade Pogue, who was the assistant director in 1954, became director 1955. His band was composed of 77 members.
Next…Wallace (Wally) Read Leads 1955-59 Bands
These interesting articles were written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979, who was a twirler and reporter for the band her senior year. If you have additions or corrections to this early history of the band, contact the directors.
Wallace (Wally) Read Leads 1955-59 Bands
Directing the 85 member band from ’55-’59 was Wallace Read. Although we can’t remember him when he was here, most of us probably know him from directing the Kilgore College Band.
Mr. Read’s directing life led him to White Oak from Gaston, Texas where he was serving as director there. Evidently he was a successful director for he directed WO Band through several Sweepstakes and had at least one student in the All-Region band each year. One year he even had one qualify for state.
In 1956, WO band entered the parade at University of Texas and took first place honors. They were also the official Yamboree Band in Gilmer and attended several Christmas parades. The WO band was successful at both UIL contests and too the Sweepstakes trophy with ease.
The years of ’57-’58 brought a trip to Memphis, Tennessee where they were the official band for the Maid of Cotton. They also led the band before the game.
Galveston was the WO band’s destination in ’58-’59. The purpose was to open Splash Day with different festivities. While there, they entered and parade and tied for first place with Pine Tree. We lost the trophy to them with a flip of a coin. Along with the contests, the band also did some sightseeing.
Throughout these years, Mr. Read directed the WO band through many victories and lots of fun. His job ended here in January of ’59 when he left WO to sell uniforms. Later on, he became director of the band at Kilgore College.
Next…Heartaches by the Number
These interesting articles were written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979, who was a twirler and reporter for the band her senior year. If you have additions or corrections to this early history of the band, contact the directors
Heartaches by the Number
When Wallace Read resigned his position to accept a job with a band uniform manufacturing concern in Ohio, Richard D. Smith took over the job. Mr. Smith came to White Oak from Joaquin High School Band where he served as director there.
In 1960, Smith took the band to Shreveport, Louisiana where they marched in a parade for the Holiday in Dixie Celebration. White Oak’s tradition of winning was broken this year when they made a two in concert and a three in Sightreading.
A new director came to WO in the fall of 1960. He was Alexander Hamilton who formerly directed the Gaston High School Band. Mr. Hamilton restored the WO tradition by putting two drum majors in front of the band again. White Oak Band missed the Sweepstakes trophy again this year by receiving a two at marching contest, but three of Hamilton’s students placed themselves in the All-Region Band.
The fall of 1961 brought around another marching contest and the WO band broke a three-year jinx by winning two first-division ratings. They made a two in Sightreading and missed out on the Sweepstakes trophy again.
The WO band came out winners in 1962 when they finally won a Sweepstakes trophy. When they took a trip to Shreveport’s Holiday in Dixie Invitational Parade on May 4, they walked away with the trophy, too.
For the band trip of the year ’63, the WO band went to Miami Beach where they placed fourth in the parade held there. Mr. Hamilton left after the 1963-1964 school year.
Next…Stevens Takes Over
These interesting articles were written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979, who was a twirler and reporter for the band her senior year. If you have additions or corrections to this early history of the band, contact the directors.
Stevens Takes Over
After Mr. Hamilton left, Leo Stevens took over the directorship of the ’64-’65 band and he led them to a Sweepstakes win at the end of the year. During the summer they took a trip to Los Angeles, California. The WO band took the forth place trophy along with a check for two hundred dollars. While on the trip, the band enjoyed seeing the Grand Canyon, the Hoover Dam, spent one night in Las Vegas and visited Disneyland.
The year of ’66 brought a win at the Enid Tri-State Festival. The band also was named the Outstanding Marching Band in field competition.
In the fall of 1966, the WO band was under the direction of Neil Grant. Before coming to White Oak, he was band director at Nacogdoches.
During the years he taught here at White Oak, he made a few changes. For example he started our stage band and the music theory and applied music classes. During the summer of ’67, the WO band went to Pensacola, Florida for the annual band trip. Their free time found them at the Civil War battleground at Vicksburg, Mississippi, Elgin Air Force Base and Gulfarjune at Fort Walton Beach.
(Editor’s note: The 1967 White Oak Band was named the State Honor Band by the Texas Music Educators Association. However, Mr. Grant left over the summer to take the directorship of the Longview High School Band, and the WO band did not perform the concert in San Antonio the next February.)
Next…Hanszen Leads Band to Victory
These interesting articles were written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979, who was a twirler and reporter for the band her senior year. If you have additions or corrections to this early history of the band, contact the directors.
Hanszen Leads Band to Victory
Jerry Hanszen came to White Oak in the fall of 1967 from Many, Louisiana. While directing in Many, his bands won more honors and awards than any other high school band in that state. He eventually brought the WO band to top honors too.
After the band marched in the Gregg Country Fair Parade, the band played for the Miss Gregg County Contest. The WO band was also invited to perform in the Astrodome in Houston on “Band Day,” October 7.
At the All-Region Band tryouts in Mount Pleasant on December 2, ten Roughnecks were selected to the band. Five of these members placed in the Zone tryouts later. Senior Rolland Cooper progressed on to All-State Band.
The Annual Solo and Ensemble Contest enabled the band members to bring back 51 first-division medals.
During the first of the school year, the WO band made a first-division in the UIL Marching Contest held in Tyler on November 21. They also won first-division ratings in UIL Concert and Sightreading in April, adding the fourth consecutive Sweepstakes to their awards.
The fall of ’68 found the band marching in the traditional Gregg County Fair Parade and was again selected to play for the Miss Gregg County Contest.
On November 19, the band traveled to Spring Hill for the UIL Marching Contest and successfully upheld their fine tradition by making a first-division rating. Seventy-one medals were also brought back from Solo and Ensemble Contest held on March 1.
Other than being the major contributor to school spirit in ’69-’70, the WO band had the honor of performing in the 81st Tournament of Roses Parade and placed first in the NBC Marching Contest while in California.
When the band arrived in Los Angeles on Tuesday morning, they checked into a motel and went to the NBC Marching Contest, tired and sleepy. While the nation watched, the band proceeded to win the contest by clearly outclassing several other quality bands. The next morning the band made the front page of the Pasadena paper. The first time a band had made the front page in 40 years. The WO band under Mr. Hanszen was quite impressive.
Mr. Hanszen is now living in Carthage, Texas selling mobile homes because he was ordered by his doctor to quit his band directing career. As we should remember, he did yell a lot ands this caused him to have throat and voice problems. Hanszen was the type of man, though, that could get what he wanted out of his band because he held the respect and determination of each and every band member. (Editor’s note: Although Mr. Hanszen never returned to teaching, he still stays involved with bands by broadcasting halftime performances and marching contests in a “play-by-play” format on the radio station he owns, KGAS 104.3 in Carthage.)
Next…Ferguson Directs 1971-76 WO Band
These interesting articles were written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979, who was a twirler and reporter for the band her senior year. If you have additions or corrections to this early history of the band, contact the directors.
Ferguson Directs 1971-76 WO Band
Directing the 103 member band in 1971-72 was Mr. Ronnie Ferguson. Under his leadership, the WO band marched and played itself to recognition as one of the country’s finest high school bands.
The highlight of ’72 was being honored as the official band at the 1972 Cotton Festival in Memphis, Tennessee. The Roughneck Band was also selected to be featured in three concerts there. One performance of special significance was a concert for the Veteran’s Hospital in which the Oakie Band was the only band featured. This was truly a high honor! Two parades were also scheduled although there was no competition.
Among these exhausting activities was a trip to the Memphis Pink Palace and Planetarium, a drive by Graceland (Elvis Presley didn’t invite them in!), a visit to Memphis Memorial Park and the Metropolitan Opera Tour.
Mr. Ferguson directed the 1972-1973 to Sweepstakes. The WO band also traveled to Miami Beach, Florida to participate in National Lion’s Club Convention and also the band’s first visit to Disney World.
In 1973-74, for the second year in a row, White Oak Band again received the Sweepstakes trophy. Entering the concert contest at St. Louis, Missouri, the WO band won top honors and brought the first place trophy home with them. While there, the band students got to visit Six Flags Over Mid-America, Gateway Arch and the St. Louis Zoo.
The band missed out on Sweepstakes in 1974-75 by receiving a two in marching. WO band didn’t let this hinder them, though, for they went on to receive first-division ratings in concert and sightreading.
Taking a four day trip to Colorado City, Colorado, the band didn’t perform to the best of their ability at the marching contest, but took the parade trophy by a large margin. Other than entering contests, there was some sightseeing planned, including a tour of the Air Force Academy where the students got to see the cadets march to lunch, a trip to Seven Falls and Royal Gorge, and the first morning they looked out the window to see Pike’s Peak.
The 1975-76 band regained their footing and swung a Sweepstakes trophy their way. At the Manisphere Contest in Winnipeg, Manitoba in Canada, the Roughneck Band won the parade trophy. Sightseeing proved to be an adventure within itself. The band students were allowed to swim in the swimming pool that was used for the Olympics. One night, they got to eat at the Old Spaghetti Warehouse where they make their own spaghetti and bread. On the way home, the WO band students visited Mt. Rushmore and Custer’s Park where the General made his last stand.
As with all band directors, Mr. Ferguson heard his call to go onto other things. He left the band directing field in the summer of ’76 to work with his father. Presently he is band director for the Henderson Junior High School Band. (Editor’s note: Mr. Ferguson went on to a successful 20+ year career at Henderson High School before his retirement in the early 2000s.)
This concludes the series of articles written for the Gauger by Janet Reed, Class of 1979. The history of the band from 1976-present is compiled from student and staff interviews and UIL archives.
This article was derived from student and staff interviews and UIL archives. Any needed additions or corrections should be brought to the attention of the directors.
1981-2000 The Wayne Smith/Gene Parker Dynasty
In the summer of 1981, Wayne Smith, a young man just a few years out of college, pursued the WO band position, persevering even after the job was offered to (and turned down by) two more experienced directors. Finally offered the position by Superintendent of Schools Robert Proctor, Smith returned Mr. Proctor’s confidence by staying at White Oak for 19 years and producing bands of consistent quality and class. At his side was Gene Parker, who had joined the band staff in the fall of 1971, after teaching six years in the pre-integration schools in San Augustine and Crockett. Mr. Parker used a mixture of “tough love” and humor to inspire, teach and make bandsmen and women out of a generation of Roughnecks.
Over the course of Mr. Smith’s leadership, the band earned 14 UIL Sweepstakes awards, and numerous first-division and Best in Class awards at regional and national festivals. . His concert bands were named TMEA Region IV Honor Band in 1989 and 1997, advancing to state competition both years. The WO Band finished 8th in honor band competition in 1997. That year, the band also finished first in the inaugural Outstanding Performance Series sponsored by the Association of Texas Small School Bands.
Individual musicianship also flourished under Smith’s leadership, as 14 students earned membership in the All-State Band, including Smith’s daughter Sarah, who earned a place in the band all four years, three years as first chair.
As the economic circumstances of the district changed, the tradition of the band taking a major trip every four years was changed first to every other year, and finally, every four years. Mr. Smith led the band to New York City, Washington, D.C. and several trips to Walt Disney World in Orlando.
Mr. Smith began annual senior trips that were enjoyed immensely by the students. The seniors travelled to the beach in Florida, the mountains in New Mexico and the city streets of New Orleans.
The band also began to perform in the finest concert halls in Texas, including the Morton Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas and the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.
A testament to the love of music Mr. Smith instilled in his students were the dozens of band members going on to perform in college bands, with several majoring or minoring in music.
This article was derived from student and staff interviews and UIL archives. Any needed additions or corrections should be brought to the attention of the directors.
2000-2008 A Familiar Face Takes the Helm
Mark Crim, who had been hired by the district in 1995 as choir director/assistant band director, was named band director the same day Mr. Smith left for Kilgore College in May of 2000. His first fall semester saw the largest WO band in recent memory on the field, 108 members strong. It was also the last year that 8th graders would be allowed to take high school band as a Gifted/Talented elective. Miss Cherissa Legendre, a percussionist from New Orleans, would assume Assistant Director duties this year. In May, the band would claim Best in Class honors at the American Classics festival in the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. Percussionist Justin Randolph earned All-State on mallet percussion.
The 2001-2002 year saw the band make their first Sweepstakes with Mr. Crim. At the conclusion of that year, Gene Parker, Middle School Director for 31 years, would retire. The band sent him off with a new golf bag and a set of clubs to enjoy his favorite hobby. The band seniors and directors enjoyed a Carnival cruise to Mexico in early June.
In 2002-2003, the band welcomed Mrs. Anna Purdum as Middle School Director. Mrs. Purdum came to WO from the Garrison HS band. The Regiment of Roughnecks earned Best in Class 3A honors at the Yamboree Marching Festival, and again earned top honors in American Classic concert band festival in Dallas. The band traveled to Orlando, Florida after graduation, for three days in the Disney parks and a parade and standstill performance at EPCOT center. The band also spent a day at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure, a first for the WO band.
2003-2004 passed without a UIL trophy for the band, although the Wind Ensemble rebounded by performing spectacularly at the Winspear Concert Hall at the University of North Texas, earning the band straight first divisions and a Best in Class trophy. Saxophonist Sesha Wallace made the All-State Symphonic Band and trombonist Rance Hawthorne would place in the first ATSSB All-State Jazz Ensemble in 2004.
Fall, 2004 brought another new face, as Mrs. Diane Schrumpf came to White Oak from Pine Tree Junior High to take over the Middle School Band. The band earned first-division and best in class awards at the Gilmer Yamboree marching contest. In January, Rance Hawthorne represented the band in the Tournament of Roses Parade as a member of the Honor Band of America. The Wind Ensemble travelled to Dallas, performing in the Meyerson Symphony Hall, and winning their class. This was also the last year for the senior band trip, as the Band Boosters voted to travel with the full band every two years instead. Samantha Green and Rance Hawthorne earned All-State honors.
In 2005, the band capped a strong marching season with a first-division at the UIL Marching Contest to add to their Best in Class 3A awards at the Gilmer Yamboree Marching Festival. The Band Booster Club sponsored a Band Banquet in December that was well-attended and enjoyed by the band members. Samantha Green and Hunter Barrett represented the school as members of the All-State Band.
Beginning with the 2006-2007 school year, every effort will be made to keep an accurate history of the band’s activities on this website. Any needed additions or corrections should be brought to the attention of the directors.
2006-2007 Roughneck Band
Directors:
Mr. Mark Crim Director of Bands
Mr. Joshua Witt, Class of 1999 Assistant Director
Mrs. Diane Schrumpf Associate Director of Bands/MS Director
Mr. Gene Parker Part-time Assistant Director
Mrs. Alisha Kimbley, Class of 1995 Auxiliaries Instructor
Officers:
Jamie Oliver Drum Major/Head Twirler
Rebecca Smith Assistant Drum Major
Rhett Pilcher Drum Captain
Rhiannon DePaepe Band President/Flag Captain
2006-2007 Highlights
This year saw the purchase of the first all-new set of band uniforms in 31 years. The classic West Point style and White Oak Band colors of maroon, white and grey were retained, but the details of the uniform were updated, making it cooler and lighter and less expensive to maintain. Black was also introduced as an accent color to the uniform with patent black shoes and a black top, visor and plume added to the shako hat.
Because the band would not receive the uniforms until early October, a new “hot-weather” uniform was adopted consisting of black work pants, a maroon oilfield-type work shirt emblazoned with the “band derrick” logo, and a white full-brimmed hard hat. This created a sharp look for the band, although it took a while to learn to wear the hard hats without losing one or two on the field.
It was a homecoming year, and the high school and middle school bands both marched in the Homecoming parade. In December, the band celebrated their successes with the 2nd annual Band Banquet.
At spring break, the band traveled to Orlando, Florida for their quadrennial out-of-state trip. Over 120 students, staff and parents made the trip. While in Central Florida, the band spent three days at the Walt Disney World resort, marching in the “Disney Dreams Come True” parade, the premier parade at the Disney parks. The band also made an excursion to Universal Studios Islands of Adventure. The year ended with first-division ratings at UIL Concert and Sightreading and a record number (14) of medalists at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest (TSSEC) held in San Marcos.
2006-2007…”By the Numbers”
“Regiment of Roughnecks” Marching Band
Superior Ratings Northeast Texas Marching Contest
Superior Ratings Yamboree Marching Festival
Best in Class 3A Band
Excellent Ratings UIL Marching Contest
Auxiliaries
Yamboree Marching Festival
Best Drum Major
Best Majorettes
Best Flags
Vickie Bowden Mobbs Twirling Contest
Best in Class Twirlers
Best in Class Flags
UIL Twirling Contest
3 1st Division solo medals
Symphonic Band
Superior Ratings UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest
Program:
The New Colonial March R.B. Hall
On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss David Holsinger
American Riversongs Pierre LaPlante
3 students named to All-Region Jazz Ensemble
3 students named to All-Area Jazz Ensemble
1 student named to All-State Jazz Ensemble (Hunter Barrett, trumpet)
13 students named to All-Region Band
3 students named to All-Area Band
38 medals won at UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest
13 students advanced to Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest
14 medals earned at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest (multiple events)
2007-2008 Roughneck Band
Directors:
Mr. Mark Crim Director of Bands
Mrs. Diane Schrumpf Associate Director of Bands/MS Director
J.D. Yarbrough Assistant Director
Mr. Gene Parker Part-time Assistant Director
Mr. Joshua Witt, Class of 1999 Percussion Instructor
Mrs. Alisha Kimbley, Class of 1995 Auxiliaries Instructor
Officers:
Rebecca Smith Drum Major/Head Twirler
Sara DePaepe Assistant Drum Major
Katie Pace Drum Captain
Cassie Warren Band President/Flag Captain
The “Regiment of Roughnecks” tried something new this year with a pre-school band camp held at Lakeview Baptist Encampment in Lone Star. The band and their directors spent three days and two nights at the camp, rehearsing full band and sectionals in an air-conditioned conference center, and learning marching fundamentals on a practice field just behind their cabins. The camp was enjoyed by the band, and plans were made to return.
The band had a good fall, with football games and pep rallies, contests and parades. The band finished the semester with performances at the Veteran’s Day assembly and the annual Christmas Concert.
The spring semester saw early contests for both Solo and Ensemble and UIL contests. The band earned straight first-division ratings at Concert & Sightreading contest. The band concluded the years with concerts for the public, the elementary school and for Scholastic Day.
2007-2008…”By The Numbers”
“Regiment of Roughnecks” Marching Band
Superior Ratings Northeast Texas Marching Contest
Superior Ratings Yamboree Marching Festival
Excellent Ratings UIL Marching Contest
Auxiliaries
Yamboree Marching Festival
Best Majorettes
Best Flags
Vickie Bowden Mobbs Twirling Contest
First Division Ratings- Twirlers
First Division Ratings- Flags
UIL Twirling Contest
1 1st Division solo medal
Symphonic Band
Superior Ratings UIL Concert & Sightreading Contest
Program:
His Honor March Henry Fillmore
Prelude to Act I, La Traviata Giuseppi Verdi
Canarios Fantasia Douglas Akey
4 students named to All-Region Jazz Ensemble
4 students named to All-Area Jazz Ensemble
9 students named to All-Region Band
2 students named to All-Area Band
1 student named to All-State Jazz Ensemble (Tyler Corley, French Horn)
28 medals won at UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest
4 events advanced to Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest
On the night of White Oak’s graduation in 2008, Mr. Crim, who had been the second-longest-tenured head director of the White Oak Band, was offered and accepted a position as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at East Texas Baptist University. J.D. Yarbrough would also leave to take a middle school band position in Spring Hill.
White Oak High School
Roughneck Band
Band Directors
1935-36 Glenn Hutton
1936-43 Ellis P. Wood
1943-44 Norman White
1944-45 H.L. Walker
1945-50 Roy Swicegood
1950-52 Jess Pettey
1952-53 Jay Tomlinson
1953-55 Wade Pogue
1955-59 Wally Reed
1959-60 Richard Smith
1960-64 Alexander Hamilton
1964-65 Leo Stevens
1965-67 Neil Grant
1967-71 Jerry Hanszen
1971-76 Ronald Ferguson
1976-78 Randy Dawson
1978-81 Charles Parsons
1981 Val Rose
1981-2000 Wayne Smith
2000-2008 Mark Crim
2008- Jason Steele
Middle School/Assistant Directors
1965-67 Jim Hagood
1967-71 Ronald Ferguson
1971-2002 Gene Parker
1995-2000 Mark Crim
2000-02 Cherissa Legendre
2002-04 Anna Purdum
2004-2009 Diane Schrumpf
2006-2008 Joshua Witt
2007-2008 J.D. Yarbrough
2008- 2016 Jacovia Cartwright
2009- Randy Whatley
2015- Chance James
White Oak High School Band
All-State Band Members
Note: Sponsoring organization through 1988 is Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA). From 1992-forward, the sponsoring organization is Association of Texas Small School Bands (ATSSB).
| 1949 Concert Band | Piccolo | John “Pete’ Kunkel |
| 1950 Concert Band | Piccolo | John “Pete’ Kunkel |
| 1951 Concert Band | Piccolo | John “Pete’ Kunkel |
| 1964 Concert Band | Connie Gosschalk | |
| 1965 Concert Band | Jerry Johnson | |
| 1982 Concert Band | Piccolo | Melinda Lain |
| 1984 Concert Band | Tuba | Bob Hollingsworth |
| 1985 Philharmonic Orchestra | Flute | Brendan McKinney |
| 1986 Symphonic Band | Flute | Brendan McKinney |
| 1988 Concert Band | Baritone | Aaron Turner |
| 1992 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Bb Clarinet | Stacey Salter |
| 1992 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Trumpet | Joe Smith |
| 1993 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Trumpet | Joel Campbell |
| 1994 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Bb Clarinet | Sarah Smith |
| 1994 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Horn | Maureen Zielke |
| 1995 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Bb Clarinet | Sarah Smith |
| 1996 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Bb Clarinet | Sarah Elizabeth Smith |
| 1996 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Percussion | Lance Thomas |
| 1997 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Bb Clarinet | Sarah Smith |
| 1997 ATSSB Concert Band | Bass Trombone | Daniel Sellers |
| 1997 ATSSB Concert Band | Percussion | Josh Witt |
| 1998 ATSSB Concert Band | Bass Trombone | Daniel Sellers |
| 1998 ATSSB Concert Band | Percussion | Josh Witt |
| 1999 ATSSB Concert Band | Percussion | Dan Jones |
| 2001 ATSSB Concert Band | Percussion | Justin Glenn Randolph |
| 2004 ATSSB Symphonic Band | Alto Saxophone | Sesha Wallace |
| 2004 ATSSB Jazz Ensemble | Tenor Trombone | Rance Hawthorne |
| 2005 ATSSB Jazz Ensemble | Trumpet | Samantha Green |
| 2005 ATSSB Jazz Ensemble | Tenor Trombone | Rance Hawthorne |
| 2006 ATSSB Jazz Ensemble | Trumpet | Samantha Green |
| 2006 ATSSB Concert Band | Trumpet | Hunter Barrett |
| 2007 ATSSB Jazz Ensemble | Trumpet | Hunter Barrett |
| 2007 Concert Band
2013 Concert Band 2013 Concert Band |
French Horn
Percussion Bass Clarinet |
Tyler Corley
Jordan Wyatt Jennifer Schaetz |
Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest “Outstanding Performers”
2006 Rance Hawthorne Blue Bells of Scotland Pryor
2008 Hunter Barrett Ode For Trumpet Reed