When I went to SK as a proud graduate of the 1982 class, the
handbook that we received in the beginning of the year had the words printed
for everyone to know and memorize, right smack in the front of the book.
For those there in the 80’s, I’m referencing that light blue stapled copy of
papers printed in Kenny Bowen’s Office Machines class on the mimeograph
machine.
SK is somewhat unique as they have their own fight song; not
one borrowed from UK (On, on U of K), Michigan (Hail to the Victors), USC (Fight
On), Notre Dame (Victory March) etc. Most high schools tend to borrow one
of these but not use any words to go along with them. SK is different;
long-time Band Director and musical genius Robert Roden wrote the lyrics and
accompaniment to the school’s fight song, “Here Come the Pioneers.” I
couldn’t find what year he wrote the song but safe to say it was a very long
time ago as Mr. Roden served as SK’s band director from 1949 to 1975.
In case you didn’t know the simple words, here they are so
try and sing them Friday night after SK scores a TD and the band is blaring the
music. (But please don't print them out and bring to the big Homecoming
Game on Friday. :))
HERE COME THE PIONEERS
Here come the Pioneers, back them with our cheers
Our team will win tonight, cause their all right – FIGHT –
FIGHT – FIGHT
Fight boys for SK, beat them the fair way
We’re proud to say that we’re from S-K-S
P – I – O – N – E – E – R – S – FIGHT – FIGHT – FIGHT
Repeat
Here’s a great article written by Amy Scalf about Robert
Roden.
Whether they’ve known it or not, Robert Roden’s legacy has
impacted Simon Kenton music students. Soon they will have a visible reminder of
the school’s former band director.
A plaque honoring Roden will be presented to Simon Kenton
principal Martha Setters during a concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 15, to
formally dedicate the school’s music facility in his name. Also at that time, a
$1,000 contribution to the Robert Roden Memorial Scholarship Fund will be
presented by John Stephenson, a Simon Kenton alumni and former superintendent
of public instruction for the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Stephenson spearheaded the quest for the plaque and raised a
portion of the $1,000 donation by producing and selling a DVD about the history
of Simon Kenton, featuring faculty including Roden. The DVDs are still
available for $20 at the Nicholson and Independence Kroger branches of the Bank
of Kentucky. Roden, who served as band director from 1949 to 1975, is
remembered for leading the Pioneer band to the state’s number one spot in 1959.
He was killed in the Beverly Hills Supper Club fire in 1977.
But, to his students, he was much more than a teacher.
“Mr. Roden helped us purchase instruments, gave lessons, and
I was one of those he took to college scholarship auditions because our family
could not afford it,” said Debbie Brown, who graduated from Simon Kenton in
1972. Brown has been assistant band director at Simon Kenton, band director at
Summit View Middle School and currently serves as the gifted/talented
specialist and visual and performing arts consultant for Kenton County School
District.
“I have no doubt that I am just one of countless students
who could offer testimonies of the positive impact that Mr. Roden had in our
lives,” she said. “The passion he had for music and the compassion with which
he embraced his students I tried to emulate and pass on to my students and own
children.”
Brown has been a music educator for more than 25 years. She,
her brother and their mother all were Roden’s students. Her brother is a
professional musician, and her four children all used music scholarships; two
of them are music educators.
“A true heritage that carries a lasting influence,” said
Brown. “Yes, Mr. Roden used music as the vehicle that absolutely changed my
life.”
Stephenson was also touched by Roden’s love of music and his
generosity, even though Stephenson quit playing in the band to pursue athletics
in high school.
“He never even got mad. He just said, ‘If that is where your
heart is, go do it,’” said Stephenson. “He said I should keep up my singing,
and I have never stopped singing.”
Roden helped him purchase a Harmony electric guitar while he
was in high school, and Stephenson still has it today, along with a very clear
memory of the beloved teacher.
“He was meticulous in his dress and meticulous in his music.
He always looked his best and he always brought out the best in us, no matter
what we were doing,” said Stephenson.
Even though Simon Kenton’s current choir director was not a
student of Roden, Melissa Martin has also felt the lasting effects of his
legacy.
“He taught many students who decided to pursue music as a
career as well as giving students a life long love of music,” said Martin. “ I
am grateful in two ways for the influence he had on students. Not only because
of the quality of education that was established that I continue to strive for,
but because he indirectly influenced music in my life. With my high school
choir director also being my mother and his student, music was a great part of
my life growing up, which led me to choose my career.”
She said the scholarship fund is a fitting tribute to Roden,
and she’s proud to be a part of that process as well. She said, “It’s an honor
to help those students follow their dreams to learn even more about what they
love.”
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| Former SK Band Director Robert Roden (Source: Cincinnati.com) |
