History
1958 - Present
Some of our History
During the 1957-58 school year, nine men and women joined together to underwrite the purchase of the first set of band uniforms. The cost of the 105 uniforms ordered for that first band was $9,000.00. Concessions stand operation, the sale of Manor Texas Fruit Cakes, and many other “projects” were undertaken, making possible the original purchase of band uniforms. The first officers for the group, known originally as the Band Boosters, were Ed Carstens, George Parsley, and Jim Wilder.
In time, this group of dedicated and loyal parents became known as the Music Boosters. The Boosters deserve a big “thank you” for a job WELL done by all the past leaders and members of this organization. Through the years, our parents have continued to purchase uniforms and to provide scholarships, service pins, and other items and services that have given meaningful support to the music program and the school district. The Music Boosters have provided the Princeton performing groups (bands, orchestras, and choirs) with new uniforms in 1968 and 1978, and the A Cappella Choir obtained their second set of robes in 1978. In 1988 the A Cappella Choir was outfitted in new uniforms. These uniforms continue to receive admiration from other choral performing groups. In 1991 tuxes and black dresses were purchased for all instrumentalists. The fall of 1995 will find the Marching Band with new uniforms. For the first time the Band will have summer as well as winter outfits to wear.
The Manor Texas Fruit Cakes were first sold the Christmas of 1959. We have forgotten the date that the last sales were discontinued. We have not forgotten FRUITCAKES! We doubt that the jokes, coffee cups will ever let us forget the many pounds of fruitcakes we tugged and lugged.
In the early days, the boosters earned much of their money by serving chicken dinners for the Academic Fair and the Festival of Arts. The first Festival of Arts was held in the 1959-60 school year, and the first Academic Fair in the fall of the 1961-62 school year. The boosters arrived in the school cafeteria at 5:00 a.m. on these occasions to pick their own chickens. They could make a larger profit that way! From the time of the first dinner, the booster, too, established a “tradition.” At the first dinner one of the workers asked the question, “Do I have to buy my own dinner ticket?” The answer was “Yes!” There were no free “anythings” for workers. The first chicken dinner made $1,200.00. Probably the most dinners were served in 1965 - 1,324!
Princeton Music Boosters were nominated for the Post-Corbett Award in the “Volunteer” category in 1982. Reporting the prestigious Post Corbett Finalist Award for the volunteer organization, Dr. William E. Steiden, principal of Princeton High School, stated that the Music Boosters have provided more than $320,000.00 for the purchase of uniforms for many of Princeton’s performing groups since the 1957-58 school year. Accepting the award on behalf of the Music Boosters were Mr. and Mrs. Dale Duermit, presidents and Mr. and Mrs. Larry Knopp, presidents-elect.
Susie Hart became the Music Booster President in 1994. One of the projects was to hang a plaque in the lobby of Matthews Auditorium honoring the past Booster officers. A reception was held prior to the Spring Choral Concert. Sam Reynolds returned from retirement to attend the reunion. A great time was had by all. What fun it was to see these fine leaders again. Sharing our memories was so much fun.
Throughout the years, the Music Boosters have continually worked on achieving its missions - to enhance and support Princeton Music. Annually the PMB awards $14,000 in college and private lesson scholarships and has been locally & nationally recognized for its efforts in supporting music education.
PAST PRESIDENTS:
1958: Edward & Betty Carstens
1959: Bud & Louise Rouff
1960: George & Pearl Parsley
1961: Charles & Ilo Zimmer
1962: Dr. Clarence & Vera Tarzwell
1963: Harold & Marion Warren
1964: Charles & Rosemary Cole
1965: Vernon & Evelyn Robey
1966: Frank & Mary Northrup
1967: Harry & Virginia Angel
1968: Harry & Bettye Braus
1969: George & Marian Wrenn (Shirley Flynn)
1970: Frank & Shirley Auciello (Wilbur McClure)
1971: Shirley Flynn (Edna Graff)
1972: Otto & Edna Graff
1973: Robert & Betty J. Taylor
1974: John & Jo Brooker
1975: Milan & Alice Gorby
1976: Bill & Sandy Story
1977: Jim & Margaret Squires
1978: James & Marlene Cole
1979: Joe & Sheila Boggs
1980: Al & Doris Wallace
1981: Mike & Wanda Moore
1982: Dale & Janet Duermit
1983: Bob & Donna Knopp
1984: Bob & Donna Knopp
1985: Ted & Sylvia Evans
1986: Ralph & Janet Colegrove
1987: Tom & Sarah Hinkle
1988: Mike & Sandy Wilhelm
1989: Walt & Susan Wyder
1990: Walt & Susan Wyder
1991 :Ed & Cindy Stephens
1992: Ray & Janet Dehner
1993: Susie Hart
1994: James & Betty Leffue
1995: Susan & George Spears
1996: Sherryl Sommer
1997: Margaret Archangel David Heck
1998: Ed & Jill Dahmann
1999: Samuel & Jackie Wofford
2000: Cheryl Baldwin
2001: John Troyer
2002: Niki Keyser
2003: Claire Conley
2004: Cindy Mullin
2005: Barb Fillion
2006: Barb Fillion
2007: Tricia Ettinger
2008: Terri Rutz
2009: Gail Moore
2010: Monica Mazzone
2011: Norman Coleman III
2012: Amy Rohrer
2013: Scot Neisel
2014: Nadja Preston and Janet Maine
2015: Jodi Kessler
2016: Jodi Kessler
2017: Jodi Kessler
2018: Jodi Kessler
2019: Matt Gardner
2020: Matt Gardner
2021: Tom D Benjamin
2022: Tom D Benjamin
2023: Tom D Benjamin
FIGHT SONGS:
Check out your favorite Fight Song, these were recorded in 1960 and are still used today!
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