Maroon and Gold Band

ATTENTION ALL MAROON & GOLD BAND ALUMNI

 
Oren L. "Pop" Lantz, Band Director, created a legacy of music.  O. L. Lantz was born in 1891.  After studying music at the Kansas City Conservatory of Music, the University of Oklahoma, The University of Texas and Vandercook School of Music, he came to Port Arthur to teach in the public school system.  "Pop" Lantz organized the first instrumental music program in the Port Arthur Schools, including bands at Thomas Jefferson and Lincoln High Schools, the Red Hussars Drill Team, the Melody Maids and the Jeffersonians Orchestra.  He composed the TJ school song, "The Old Maroon and Gold",  and the fight song, "Go Ye Port Arthur".  He was known for his elaborate halftime programs and spring concerts.  Lantz retired in 1955 and "Pop Lantz Day" was proclaimed by the mayor.  He was featured on the national TV program "I've Got a Secret" and was seen on the regional show "Eyes of Texas" in 1981.  An accomplished musician himself, Lantz taught thousands of high school students during his tenure at Port Arthur and Thomas Jefferson High Schools.    He died in 1984 at age 93.

  Port Arthur High School
1500 Lakeshore Drive

The "Maroon & Gold Band" ... 1931
This photo was from the "Sea Gull" Yearbook of the Port Arthur High School Class of 1931
(Graciously loaned to us from James W. "Jim" Smith, Bryan, Texas)

 


Thomas Jefferson High School
3501 12th Street


G. P. Fitzner, Jr
Maroon & Gold Band ... 1936

Photos below are courtesy of
Patsy Briggs-McGill
TJ Class of 1949

Click on picture to enlarge
Maroon & Gold Band
1948-49

The Melody Maids were part of the spring concert and followed the Jeffersonians
on stage in the second half of their performance .... Patsy Briggs-McGill


Melody Maids .... 1947


Melody Maids ... 1948-1949
Front row beginning with violins: (Patsy does not recall the name of the bass player ... Can any one help?)
Mary Kraitchar, Ann Forester, Ola Lee Currie, Patsy Briggs, Barbara Putnam Mary Longman,
Yvonne Aaron and Pat Pointer (Second Row beginning with trumpets):  Mary Ellen Forester,
Jean Putnam (?), Nancy Keith and Katie Crawford

Barbara Corkins Gerry Hilliard Kitty Bernard
Norman Perkins Ruth English Wilson Robertson

 

The 1950's

Maroon and Gold Band Majorettes ... 1954-55
(L-R) Patsy Ferguson, Beverly Smith, Rochelle Totino, Jeannie Linscomb and Johnnie Marie Burget

 

1957-1958


Maroon and Gold Band
CavOILcade Parade
(Sometime in the Mid 1950's)

1958 - 1959

(L-R): Judy Heckenkdorf, Gloria Redfearn, Judy Methvin, Barbara Myers, Mary Thrace Scott, Frances Ronhusen, Dewana Wriborg, Beverly Jackson and Peggy Rose


Frances Ronshausen
Drum Major, Maroon & Gold Band 
(1958-1959)

 


Thomas Jefferson High School
2200 Jefferson Drive (formerly Stadium Road)

 

1959-1960

 

Officers .... 1959-1960

 

The "Maroon and Gold" Band marching in a downtown Port Parade about 1960

 

1960-1961
Standing (L-R): Cindy Brantley, Susan Marsh
Kneeling: Elizabeth Adams, Mary Margaret Arisco, Linda Parent

 


Bottom Row (L-R):  Mary Margaret Arisco, Elizabeth Adams, Susan Marsh, Cindy Brantley and Linda Parent.
Top Row:  Beverly Heath, --?--, Nova Coleman, --?--, Sue Gartin


"And we did just that!"

 

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This page was last updated on:  Monday, May 14, 2007