History
Started in 1937 by Superintendent Richard Hawkins, the Hornet Band was officially under the direction of C. R. Hackney, who had been brought to Huntsville to build the music department at Sam Houston State Teachers College (SHSTC, now Sam Houston State University, C.R. Hackney would later be the co-founder of H&H Music Company in 1945, now owned by Brooks Mays.)
While Dr. Hackney supervised the program, he appointed Elliot T. Bowers, who would later be the 9th President of SHSU, as the actual band director. As a student at SHSTC at the time, he didn't have a degree or a teaching certificate and was thus unable to take official credit as the Hornet Band's first director,* although he is listed as the band director as early as the 1940 Hornet yearbook and as director of music in his obituary.
The Hornet Band has been a part of Huntsville High School ever since.
*Information provided by Dr. Elliot T. Bowers in a conversation with John H. Rathke, Jr., a charter member of the Hornet Band.
While Dr. Hackney supervised the program, he appointed Elliot T. Bowers, who would later be the 9th President of SHSU, as the actual band director. As a student at SHSTC at the time, he didn't have a degree or a teaching certificate and was thus unable to take official credit as the Hornet Band's first director,* although he is listed as the band director as early as the 1940 Hornet yearbook and as director of music in his obituary.
The Hornet Band has been a part of Huntsville High School ever since.
*Information provided by Dr. Elliot T. Bowers in a conversation with John H. Rathke, Jr., a charter member of the Hornet Band.