Carl T. Morene: A Shorthorn Forever

Duane's take

Here's my telling of what the official marker has to say about Carl T. Morene, a man Schulenburg still calls its music man. Now, some people leave a mark on a place by building something you can see.

Carl T. Morene left his mark in a different way. He left it in the music.

Born on November 13, 1887, in Muldoon, to Swedish immigrant parents, Carl came into this world not far from the town that would eventually claim him as its own. He served in the Navy and the Army before finding his footing in utility management. He worked for the Central Power and Light Company down in Gonzales, and then in 1928, he came to Schulenburg to manage the utility's operations there.

A practical man. A working man. Nobody would have looked at him and said, now there's a music teacher waiting to happen.

But 1933 rolled around, and school officials could no longer afford a paid music teacher. That was the moment Carl T. Morene stepped forward.

The origins of his musical talents, the marker is careful to tell us, are unknown. What is known is that he was effective, and he was motivational, and he did not wait for ideal conditions. Following his workday, he instructed students in music at his own office.

Think about that. The man put in a full day managing a utility company, and then he stayed and taught music. He used his own money to buy instruments and sheet music.

And then came World War II, with rationing and restrictions on everything including gasoline, and Carl Morene used his own ration card to make sure every student could get to practice sessions and performances. Not one student left behind for lack of a ride. Despite never having a high school education himself, Morene received a state teaching certificate in 1934.

A bachelor his whole life, he devoted his time and his energies to young people with a focus that most folks save for their own families. And it paid off. The Schulenburg program gathered recognitions and awards for excellence.

Under Morene's direction, the school orchestra performed regularly at school assemblies. And somewhere in all of that, watching those kids carry themselves with pride on that stage, he was moved to write something down. He wrote the official school song for Schulenburg High, and he called it Shorthorns Forever.

A title that says everything about what he believed in: not the moment, but the lasting thing. Carl T. Morene continued as the city's beloved music man until his death in January 1948.

A large crowd of grateful citizens and former students mourned his passing. The man who came to Schulenburg to manage a utility ended up powering something that no ration card and no budget cut could ever fully turn off. Shorthorns Forever.

He meant it.

What the marker says

Through his civic involvement and interest in young people, Carl T. Morene made lasting contributions to the quality of life in his adopted hometown of Schulenburg. Born in nearby Muldoon on November 13, 1887 to Swedish immigrant parents, he served in the Navy and and the Army before embarking on a career in utility management. He worked for the Central Power & Light Company in Gonzales, and in 1928 he came to Schulenburg to manage the utility's operations here. Morene was active in civic service, and in 1933, when school officials could no longer afford a paid music teacher, he volunteered to lead the program. The origins of his musical talents are unknown, but he proved to be an effective and motivational leader. Following his workday, he instructed students in music at his office. He also used his own money to pay for instruments and sheet music, and during World War II he used his gasoline ration card to ensure all students would have transportation to practice sessions and performances. Despite the lack of a high school education, Morene received a state teaching certificate in 1934. A bachelor, he selflessly devoted his time and energies to help young people learn and appreciate music. His efforts paid off as the Schulenburg program garnered many recognitions and awards for excellence. Under Morene's direction, the school orchestra performed regularly at school assemblies. In honor of the pride and spirit he observed among the Shorthorns of Schulenburg High, he wrote the official school song, Shorthorns Forever. Morene continued as the city's beloved music man until his death in January 1948. A large crowd of appreciate citizens and former students mourned his passing. (2005)