Joe Rogers

Joe Rogers was born on June 25, 1927 in Plainview, Texas. His parents divorced when he was six years old. Growing up, he and his mom and younger sister moved often and he attended various schools in Texas and Missouri. He attended high school in Garwood, Texas. When the small school decided to begin a band program, he started playing trombone. On his seventeenth birthday in 1944, and without graduation from high school he enlisted in the US. Navy He served as Coxswain and landed Marines in the Battle of Iwo Jima and Okinawa. His destroyer served as an escort ship in Tokyo Bay at the scene of the surrender of the Japanese in August 1945.

Using the GI Bill, he attended and graduated from Southwest Texas State College in August 1949, with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. During the next few years, he also earned credits and hours form the Vander School of Music. In 1955, he received his Master of Arts Degree in Public School Administration.

Joe's career has led him to be a band director at Mission High School 1949-51, Seguin High School 1951-61, Kingsville High School 1962-65, New Braunfels High School 1965-76. He also owned and operated the Rogers Music company in New Braunfels and Seguin until 1984.

During his years as band director, Joe's bands earned UIL Sweepstakes awards at all schools. His New Braunfels Band was named the top band at Tri-State competition in Enid, Oklahoma. In 1991, the New Braunfels Band was named the Best Marching Band at Texas State Fair Contest in Dallas.

Joe judged band contests throughout Texas for 21 years and also served as a clinician for many band programs. During his time in Seguin, Kingsville, and New Braunfels, he supervised many student teachers from Texas Lutheran College, Texas A&I, and Southwest Texas State College.

A number of his former band members have become outstanding band directors. Some names include Henry Schraub, Glenn Richter, and Fred Schroeder.

Joe was elected and served as President of Texas Bandmasters Association in 1967-68.

From 1984-96, Joe served as principal of Smithson Valley High School, including two of those years as Coma] ISD Superintendent.

Joe has also been involved in the city of New Braunfels. He was elected to the City Council for two terms and Chamber of Commerce awarded him with the President's Award, Hall of Honor Award, and Besserung Award (outstanding citizen.) Joe is an active member of the Wurstfest Association and has served as Entertainment Chairman, President, Grosse Opa, and now is serving as Opa Emeritous.

A member of the New Braunfels Presbyterian Church for 39 years, Joe is an Elder as well as a member of the church choir. In retirement, Joe serves as Song Leader for his Lions Club, plays golf, and delivers Meals on Wheels. After 44 years in Texas Public Schools, he still attends school functions including band concerts. He is also often still asked to judge band contests.

Joe and Ann (Teltschik) have been married 56 years. They have two sons and four grandchildren.