History of R.L. Paschal High School and The Panter Band

Paschal's Eady History
In 1885 R.L. Paschal High School was founded under the name of Fort Worth High School. In 1891 the first Fort Worth High School was built and was considered the finest school building in Texas. This building burned down in 1910. The school was then built on the corner of Rosedale and Jennings and classes went on as usual. The panthewr was adopted as mascot in 1910 and came from Fort Worth's nickname "Panther City." Fort Worth High School was rebuilt in a new location and was renamed Central High School from 1918-1923. In 1935, R.L. Paschal, who had been principal since 1906, retired, and the school was renamed after him. The first classes held at the school's current location were in the fall of 1955. Paschal became the largest high school facility in Fort Worth.

The Band is Formed

In 1922 the Panther Band was formed as an auxiliary to the ROTC under the direction of J.C. King. It wasn't until the '30s that the band became more integrated into the high school. The band continued growing and evolving through the '40s participating in parades, concerts, and a band trip to San Angelo to see the world premiere of The Westerner. By 1942, the band had grown to 30 members. The "show" in 1947 consisted of the formation of a line at half-time for the football team returning back to the field.

The 1950s saw the formation of the Pom-Pom girls group. By the 1980s the group of girls became a Drill Team and performed at half time with the band playing. In 1989, the Flag Corps was formed. Today they are called the Color Guard and they are an award-winning group that truly enhances the half-time shows of the Panther Band.

Since the 1960s, the Paschal Band has continued to grow and has gone through many changes from new uniforms to new band halls, to forming the Stage Band (now Jazz Band). Paschal's band history is rich with performances in countless parades, including the Cotton Bowl, a tour of Europe by the Stage Band, and numerous awards.

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Panther Band Directors

1922-1923 J.C. King

1924-1927 W.C. Wiley

1928-1939 Ed Crites

1940-1942 Kenneth McGarrity

1943-1962 N.J. Whitehurst

1963-1968 Phillip W. Hewett

1969-1971 Phillip L. Aikman

1972 David Tucker

1973-1986 Robert C. Taylor

1987-1993 Lary Harrison

1994-1995 Bobby Hesch

1996-1998 Bobby Kincaid

1998-2003 Brian Standridge

2003-2008 Mario Casanova

2008-2010 Darrin Duff

2010-present Bryan Wright

First known photo of the band: taken in 1929. Top row, fourth from left, is famous Tex Beneke who went on to lead the Glenn Miller Orchestra. He also sang on the first song ever to be certified as a "gold record": Chattanooga Choo Choo.

The band marching downtown in 1930

1936 band

1942 trumpet player

Band in 1953

Majorettes in 1955