The University of Texas Longhorn Band
Encyclopedia
The University of Texas Longhorn Band, also known as the Showband of the Southwest or LHB, is the marching band
of The University of Texas at Austin. The Longhorn Band was founded in 1900
by a distinguished professor of chemistry
, Dr. Eugene P. Schoch. The band is currently under the direction of Dr. Robert Carnochan and associate directors Dr. Scott S. Hanna and Mr. Anthony Marinello. The band performs at all in-state football games, for various Texas Longhorn Athletics
teams, and at special pep rallies and parades throughout the year. The band includes about 350 students, all of whom must register for a year-round course offered by UT's School of Music.
Execution
After 4 whistles, the percussion will play eight "dead beats," during which time the band remains at attention. The function of these 8 counts is to establish tempo in a noisy stadium. Following the 8 dead beats, the person on the sideline leads on the marchers to the field. Marchers kick off from the sideline every two steps. After a designated number of counts, a 9-count halt cadence will be played.
regularly appear in any given season, past shows include Star Wars
, Jurassic Park
, Far and Away
and Raiders of the Lost Ark
.
Selected recent non-traditional shows
games, the band performs signature songs. Many have been rooted in the band for many years.
Traditionals as played by the Longhorn Band.
, which is considered to be the world's largest bass drum. The drum is managed by the Bertha Crew, sometimes called "drum wranglers". The crew moves the drum around the field during performances, and twirls it when the team scores. Big Bertha was nicknamed the "Sweetheart of the Longhorn Band" when it arrived at The University of Texas campus in 1955. In 1955, the director of the Longhorn Band was Colonel D. Harold Byrd who purchased "Big" Bertha from the University of Chicago, then for only one dollar. Big Bertha performs in the traditional Longhorn Band pregame show performed before kickoff at every home game. She also performs in 'Script Texas', another LHB traditional show. She makes appearances at other events, such as appearing outside Gregory Gymnasium before volleyball games.
and Tau Beta Sigma
, respectively.
The officers of LHBSA are collectively termed the Band Council. Election of officers is held during the spring semester at a general meeting of the members of the LHBSA. The Freshman Advisors are elected by the LHBSA members during a general meeting in the fall. The Presidents of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are elected by their respective organizations and the Drum Major is determined by audition. Freshman Representatives are elected by the first year members of Longhorn Band at a special meeting following the posting of the final Longhorn Band audition results. The Parliamentarian, if deemed beneficial, is appointed by the President.
Alpha Tau has remained consistent over the past 51 years and has on average 40 members. Over the years, Alpha Tau has also been recognized as one of the top chapters in the nation, having been selected third in the nation at the 1969 National Convention. The 1970 and 1989 District Conventions and in part the 2001 National Convention were hosted by Alpha Tau.
The chapter serves the band through various means: setting up and tearing down all equipment during practice, moving equipment to and from the stadium on game days, serving water during practice, service projects, and community projects.
Kappa Kappa Psi hosts The Longhorn Band Golf Classic in May with help from LHBSA (Longhorn Band Student Association). The tournament has been held at the UT Golf Club and River Place Country Club in the past and will be held at Shadow Glen Golf Club, Sunday May 2, 2010. The event raises money for KKY and LHBSA. These are non-profit organizations and all proceeds go toward funding the activities of The Longhorn Band. Past participants have included Mack Brown and Colt McCoy.
is the National Service Sorority for College Bandswomen. On March 8, 1957, the Beta Gamma Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma was founded at the University of Texas at Austin under director Vincent R. DiNino and his wife Jane DiNino. The members of Tau Beta Sigma are dedicated to serving the Longhorn Band and can be found repairing uniforms, serving water at football games, and carrying a sewing/medical kit during games and rehearsals.
The Beta Gamma chapter is also very active in the Austin community. Each year, the chapter adopts a local high school band with a small program in need of encouragement. TBS and other band members attend multiple home games each year. They perform in the stands with the high school band. Each year before the high school competes in UIL Marching competition, the Beta Gamma chapter decorates their band hall to show encouragement. Along those same lines they attend the high school's concerts to promote growth in the band program and encourage students to stick with music.
The chapter has also participated in marathons each year, runs drives to collect items for the Peace Corps, works with Habitat for Humanity, the Women's Shelter, the Humane Society, Girl Scouts, and has also been involved with UT's Relay for Life.
As their main form of fundraising, the Beta Gamma chapter is in charge of creating and selling Longhorn Band merchandise. These sales are known as "hall sales" in which LHB Shirts, CDs, picture frames, cowbells, and more are sold in the hall of the Music Building outside of the band hall by the treasurer and her committee. These "hall sales" take place on game days, as well as at Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in the spring.
The tradition started in the 70's when the band would often sing dirty songs in the stands. The director at the time yelled at the band to sing something nice like "Home on the Range", and so the version now sang was created.
during one of the football games. During Alumni Band Day, LHB and LHAB share the field, numbering over 1,000 members for their performance. The Alumni Band Association is the largest in the world, with 2,600 members among its ranks, scattered across seven countries.
in Houston, Texas
.
In 1986, the Longhorn Band was awarded the prestigious Louis Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy
.
The Longhorn Band was selected and performed for inaugurations of President
s Theodore Roosevelt
, John F. Kennedy
, Lyndon B. Johnson
, Ronald Reagan
, George H. W. Bush
and the two inaugurations of George W. Bush
.
Marching band
Marching band is a physical activity in which a group of instrumental musicians generally perform outdoors and incorporate some type of marching with their musical performance. Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments...
of The University of Texas at Austin. The Longhorn Band was founded in 1900
1900 in music
-Events:*January 14 - Giacomo Puccini's Tosca receives its première in Rome.*February 2 - Gustave Charpentier's opera Louise receives its première in Paris; Mary Garden makes her public debut in the title role in April....
by a distinguished professor of chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....
, Dr. Eugene P. Schoch. The band is currently under the direction of Dr. Robert Carnochan and associate directors Dr. Scott S. Hanna and Mr. Anthony Marinello. The band performs at all in-state football games, for various Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorn Athletics
Texas Longhorns athletics programs include the extramural and intramural sports teams of The University of Texas at Austin. These teams are referred to as the Texas Longhorns , taking their name from the Longhorn cattle that were an important part of the development of Texas, and are now the...
teams, and at special pep rallies and parades throughout the year. The band includes about 350 students, all of whom must register for a year-round course offered by UT's School of Music.
On-Field Performances
The Longhorn Band performs a different show at each home football game throughout the year. These shows include 'Traditional Shows', which feature signature music and drill, and 'Non-Traditional Shows', which feature contemporary music and a modern marching style.Curl-on entrance
The curl-on entrance is a traditional entrance in which the marchers enter from both east and west sidelines. To reach this position, the section is positioned on the field, divided in the center, and then the marcher closest to the sideline begins a spiral towards the nearest end zone until all marchers are in a tight spiral with the last marcher on the sideline. This entrance is utilized for Wall-to-Wall Band performances, as well as other special occasions. Marchers enter with a Taps 8 to 5 stride, but adjust to a 6 to 5 interval for downfield marching.Execution
After 4 whistles, the percussion will play eight "dead beats," during which time the band remains at attention. The function of these 8 counts is to establish tempo in a noisy stadium. Following the 8 dead beats, the person on the sideline leads on the marchers to the field. Marchers kick off from the sideline every two steps. After a designated number of counts, a 9-count halt cadence will be played.
Script Texas
First performed in 1957, "Script Texas" is a traditional halftime show performed every year. The Drum Major leads the band onto the field in a single-file line, spelling "Texas" in script writing. The band is split into two blocks at the start of the performance and begins by playing "The Yellow Rose of Texas." The Drum Major marches over to the front of block one and block one begins spelling out the T-E-X of "Texas". They only spell out the bottom part of the T and the / of the X, though. While the first block follows the Drum Major out onto the field, the color guard who are in block one march in a large circle to the side of the band before putting the top on the T after block one has marched to their positions. At the end of "The Yellow Rose of Texas," the band goes straight into "March of the Longhorns" and the rest of "Texas" is spelled out. Once "March of the Longhorns" is over, "Calypso" starts and the Drum Major leads the Saxophones, who are by themselves, into an arc that comes down and below A and S. This concludes Script Texas, and "Texas Fight" is played while the band marches off of the field.Wall-to-Wall Band/Shotgun Texas
"Wall to Wall Band" is another traditional drill performed annually by Longhorn Band. The drum line starts in the end zone while the band is off on each of the sidelines curled into spirals. The drum line marches onto the field, playing a cadence while the band usually jumps up and down over on the sides. After the drum line reaches their starting position, the Drum Major calls the band to attention, followed by another cadence that brings the band onto the field. The spirals are unrolled and the band marches straight down the yard lines and form into fronts. A roll off ensues, and "March Grandioso" begins. Every six counts, parts of fronts step off, marching in a six-to-five step, and form less dense fronts that still span the width of the field. Half way through "March Grandioso," the band halts for 4 counts of silence, followed by a proclamation to beat the hell out of Texas' opponent. The band then continues down the field playing the rest of "March Grandioso" and transitioning straight into "March of the Longhorns." Once a front reaches the opposite end zone, a counter-march is performed to bring the band back the way it came. Before the counter-march, the Longhorn band covers the entire football field, putting meaning to the name Wall-to-Wall band. At the trio of "March of the Longhorns," the band contracts into larger fronts that span the width of the football field, then condense into smaller ones that span a little more than the distance between the hashes. At the end of "March of the Longhorns," Wall-to-Wall Band is officially finished, though it is typically followed by Shotgun Texas, in which several condensed fronts quickly shift to spell "TEXAS" in block letters. To start Shotgun Texas, another roll off starts and the band goes straight into "Texas Fight." After the Intro of "Texas Fight," the band spells out each letter of "TEXAS," leaving the fronts every 8 counts of "Texas Fight." In 2007, a twist was added to Shotgun Texas where, during the Interlude of "Texas Fight," the Longhorn band flipped the "Texas" from its traditionally facing west direction to spell it to the east side for the student section of the stadium. After the Interlude, the band marches off the field, concluding Shotgun Texas.Pregame
Prior to kickoff at all home football games, the band marches through the north tunnel and fills the north end-zone with fourteen fronts. Instruments are held above the heads of the band members while they march in before coming down to play the fight song. The fronts cross the field using a modified high-step, called Taps Stride. The fronts march through the duration of "Texas Fight" and 8 counts afterwards, then halt and perform "Eyes Fanfare" to the east, north, and finally west side. This fanfare was composed and arranged by Randol Alan Bass originally titled "Fanfare 75" some 32 years ago. Afterwards, the band begins "Texas Fight" again and marches the rest of the way down the field, turning once each front hits the 15 yard line and performing a counter-march toward the opposite end zone until stopping at the end of "Texas Fight." After a short role off, a shortened version of "March of the Longhorns" begins and the fronts then adjust to form an interlocking UT. The band stays at this position for announcements, the opponent's school song, and finally "The Star Spangled Banner" is played. Since some opponents travel long distances, they can't bring their band. If this is the case, the Longhorn band plays the opponents school song. After "The Star Spangled Banner" and the presentation of the colors, the band starts "Deep in the Heart of Texas" and marches to form a block T. After "Deep in the Heart of Texas," the sideways block T is then floated toward the south end zone while the band plays "Calypso." About a third of the way through "Calypso," the band halts and faces toward the 25 or 35 yard line. Normally, the top of the T stops at the back of the south end zone. However, due to stadium construction, for the 2007 season, the visiting team uses a locker room at the south end of the stadium, so the band stops at the front of the end zone to give the visiting team room to run to their side line. Once stopped, there are a few more announcements that take place, followed by the possible performance of "March Grandioso." "March Grandioso" is only played if enough time is left before the football team comes out. If not, the band goes straight into "The Eyes of Texas." Right after this, a short video is shown, followed by the entrance of the football team, accompanied by "Texas Fight." After this, the band marches through the south end zone before entering the stand for the game.Non-traditional shows
The Longhorn Band performs four non-traditional shows each year. The band typically selects music that highlights a wide variety of musical artists and thematic ideas. The music and drill for these performances are arranged by current and former staff of the University of Texas School of Music. Thanks to the high general level of musical talent in the Longhorn Band, complex arrangements of demanding movie soundtrack scores by John WilliamsJohn Williams
John Towner Williams is an American composer, conductor, and pianist. In a career spanning almost six decades, he has composed some of the most recognizable film scores in the history of motion pictures, including the Star Wars saga, Jaws, Superman, the Indiana Jones films, E.T...
regularly appear in any given season, past shows include Star Wars
Star Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
, Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is a 1990 science fiction novel written by Michael Crichton. Often considered a cautionary tale on unconsidered biological tinkering in the same spirit as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, it uses the mathematical concept of chaos theory and its philosophical implications to explain the...
, Far and Away
Far and Away
Far and Away is a 1992 adventure-drama-romance film directed by Ron Howard from a script by Howard and Bob Dolman, and stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Cinematography by Mikael Salomon, with a music score by John Williams...
and Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Raiders of the Lost Ark is a 1981 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas, and starring Harrison Ford. It is the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise...
.
Selected recent non-traditional shows
- Led Zeppelin Show - "Rock and RollRock and Roll (Led Zeppelin song)"Rock and Roll" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, which was first released as the second track from the band's fourth album in 1971, with a guest appearance by The Rolling Stones pianist Ian Stewart.-Overview:...
", "HeartbreakerHeartbreaker (Led Zeppelin song)"Heartbreaker" is a song from English rock band Led Zeppelin's 1969 album, Led Zeppelin II. It was credited to all four members of the band, having been recorded at A&R Studios, New York, during the band's second concert tour of the United States, and was engineered by Eddie Kramer."Heartbreaker"...
", "Black DogBlack Dog (song)"Black Dog" is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin, the lead off track of their fourth album, released in 1971. It was also released as a single in the United States and Australia with "Misty Mountain Hop" on the B-side, and reached #15 on Billboard and #11 in Australia.In 2010, the song was...
", "KashmirKashmir (song)"Kashmir" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin from their sixth album Physical Graffiti, released in 1975. It was written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant over a period of three years, with the lyrics dating back to 1973.-Overview:The song centres around a signature chord progression...
", "Stairway to HeavenStairway to Heaven"Stairway to Heaven" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971. It was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the band's untitled fourth studio album . The song, running eight minutes and two seconds, is composed of several sections, which...
" Performed January 5, 2009 at the Fiesta Bowl2009 Fiesta BowlThe 2009 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns on Monday, January 5, 2009, at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona... - Heroes Show - "Batman/ Superman", "The Incredibles", "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" Performed November 10, 2007
- Channel One Suite - Buddy RichBuddy RichBernard "Buddy" Rich was an American jazz drummer and bandleader. Rich was billed as "the world's greatest drummer" and was known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.-Early life:...
's "Channel One Suite" Performed October 20, 2007 - TV Show - Theme from "Hawaii Five-OHawaii Five-OHawaii Five-O is an American police procedural drama series produced by CBS Productions and Leonard Freeman. Set in Hawaii, the show originally aired for twelve seasons from 1968 to 1980, and continues in reruns. The show featured a fictional state police unit run by Detective Steve McGarrett,...
", "The A-TeamThe A-TeamThe A-Team is an American action adventure television series about a fictional group of ex-United States Army Special Forces personnel who work as soldiers of fortune, while on the run from the Army after being branded as war criminals for a "crime they didn't commit". The A-Team was created by...
", "The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
", "Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
" Performed November 4, 2006 - 70s/80s Rock Show - "Any Way You Want ItAny Way You Want It"Any Way You Want It" is a popular song performed by Journey released on the album Departure as the opening track, as a single in 1980 and was rerecorded with Arnel Pineda and Deen Castronovo for their 2008 album Revelation. The song was written by frontman Steve Perry and guitarist Neal Schon....
", "25 or 6 to 425 or 6 to 4"25 or 6 to 4" is a song written by American musician Robert Lamm, one of the founding members of the rock/jazz fusion band Chicago. It was recorded for their second album, Chicago , with Peter Cetera on lead vocals. The song was edited and released as a single in June of the year 2009, climbing to...
", "Carry On Wayward SonCarry On Wayward Son"Carry on Wayward Son" is a progressive rock single recorded by Kansas and written by Kerry Livgren for their 1976 album Leftoverture. In 1977, the song peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard pop singles chart, becoming their first Top 40 hit....
" Performed September 2, 2006 - The BeatlesThe BeatlesThe Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
Show - "Help!", "Got to Get You In My Life", "She Loves You", "I Want to Hold You Hand", "Hey Jude" Performed January 4, 2006 at the Rose Bowl2006 Rose BowlThe 2006 Rose Bowl Game, played on January 4, 2006, was a football game that served as the national championship of the 2005-2006 Bowl Championship Series... - Malagueña - Ernesto LecuonaErnesto LecuonaErnesto Lecuona y Casado was a Cuban composer and pianist of Canarian father and Cuban mother, and worldwide fame. He composed over six hundred pieces, mostly in the Cuban vein, and was a pianist of exceptional quality....
's "Malagueña" Performed October 7, 2006 - Secret Agent Show - Theme from "James BondJames Bond (film series)The James Bond film series is a British series of motion pictures based on the fictional character of MI6 agent James Bond , who originally appeared in a series of books by Ian Fleming. Earlier films were based on Fleming's novels and short stories, followed later by films with original storylines...
", "Austin PowersAustin Powers (film series)The Austin Powers series is a series of action-comedy films written by and starring Mike Myers as the title character, directed by Jay Roach and distributed by New Line Cinema...
", "Inspector GadgetInspector GadgetInspector Gadget is an animated television series that revolves around the adventures of a clumsy, simple-witted cyborg detective named Inspector Gadget – a human being with various bionic gadgets built into his body. Gadget's arch-nemesis is Dr...
" Performed October 22, 2005 - Video Game Show - Theme from "TetrisTetrisTetris is a puzzle video game originally designed and programmed by Alexey Pajitnov in the Soviet Union. It was released on June 6, 1984, while he was working for the Dorodnicyn Computing Centre of the Academy of Science of the USSR in Moscow, Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic...
", "The Legend of Zelda", "Super Mario Bros.Super Mario Bros.is a 1985 platform video game developed by Nintendo, published for the Nintendo Entertainment System as a sequel to the 1983 game Mario Bros. In Super Mario Bros., the player controls Mario as he travels through the Mushroom Kingdom in order to rescue Princess Toadstool from the antagonist...
" Performed November 6, 2004
Traditional songs
In attendance at all home and away footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
games, the band performs signature songs. Many have been rooted in the band for many years.
- "The Eyes of TexasThe Eyes of Texas"The Eyes of Texas" is the alma mater of the University of Texas at Austin. It is set to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad." Students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the University sing the song at Longhorn sports games and other events....
" - "Texas FightTexas Fight"Texas Fight" is the official fight song of the University of Texas at Austin and was written by Colonel Walter S. Hunnicutt in collaboration with James E. King, then director of the Marlin High School Band....
" - "Wabash CannonballWabash Cannonball"The Wabash Cannonball" is an American folk song about a fictional train, thought to have originated in the late nineteenth century. Its first documented appearance was on sheet music published in 1882, titled "" and credited to J. A. Roff...
" (first played at the request of Darrell K Royal) coincidentally, a main fight song of Big 12 ConferenceBig 12 ConferenceThe Big 12 Conference is a college athletic conference of ten schools located in the Central United States, with its headquarters located in Las Colinas, a community in the Dallas, Texas suburb of Irving...
rival Kansas StateKansas State UniversityKansas State University, commonly shortened to K-State, is an institution of higher learning located in Manhattan, Kansas, in the United States... - "March Grandioso"
- "March of the Longhorns"
- "Deep in the Heart of TexasDeep in the Heart of Texas"Deep in the Heart of Texas" is an American popular song elaborating on the merits of the state of Texas.The 1941 song features lyrics by June Hershey and music by Don Swander. The song was recorded by Perry Como with Ted Weems and His Orchestra on December 9 of that year for Decca Records in Los...
" - "Calypso"
- "William Tell OvertureWilliam Tell (opera)Guillaume Tell is an opera in four acts by Gioachino Rossini to a French libretto by Etienne de Jouy and Hippolyte Bis, based on Friedrich Schiller's play Wilhelm Tell. Based on the legend of William Tell, this opera was Rossini's last, even though the composer lived for nearly forty more years...
" - "UT Detroit"
- "Victory"
- "Ghost Riders in the Sky"
- "Respect"
- "Rawhide"
- "Bone Tell" (a version of William Tell Overture arranged for the trombone section and performed at all home games, sometimes for fans around the stadium)
- "Strong Eyes"
- "Taps in One"
- "Mickey Mouse MarchMickey Mouse MarchMickey Mouse March , is the opening theme for the The Mickey Mouse Club TV show, broadcast weekday afternoons in the US from October 1955 to 1959, on the ABC television network...
" (played to make fun of the Texas A&M Aggies; the Longhorn Band discontinued this practice after the 1999 Aggie Bonfire collapse)
Traditionals as played by the Longhorn Band.
Big Bertha
The band features Big BerthaBig Bertha (drum)
Big Bertha is a bass drum used by the Longhorn Band of The University of Texas at Austin. The Big Bertha name was chosen to evoke the famous German Big Bertha howitzer.-Description:...
, which is considered to be the world's largest bass drum. The drum is managed by the Bertha Crew, sometimes called "drum wranglers". The crew moves the drum around the field during performances, and twirls it when the team scores. Big Bertha was nicknamed the "Sweetheart of the Longhorn Band" when it arrived at The University of Texas campus in 1955. In 1955, the director of the Longhorn Band was Colonel D. Harold Byrd who purchased "Big" Bertha from the University of Chicago, then for only one dollar. Big Bertha performs in the traditional Longhorn Band pregame show performed before kickoff at every home game. She also performs in 'Script Texas', another LHB traditional show. She makes appearances at other events, such as appearing outside Gregory Gymnasium before volleyball games.
Cowbells
During football games, members of the Longhorn Band shake cowbells to create noise in the stadium while the opposing team has the ball. The bells are rung only after the opposing team snaps the ball or in conjunction with drum cadences. When the opposing team is in the "red zone", the drumline will, at times, call a cadence that simply calls for the band to create as much noise as possible with the cowbells.Pep band
While the entire band traditionally travels to all in-state football games and bowl games, a smaller pep band composed mainly of section leaders is taken to out-of-state games.Basketball/Volleyball Band
The Basketball/Volleyball Band is technically a separate ensemble from the Longhorn Band, but falls under the same umbrella of leadership and shares many members with the Longhorn Band.Supporting organizations
The band is supported by a service fraternity and sorority, Kappa Kappa PsiKappa Kappa Psi
Kappa Kappa Psi is a fraternity for college and university band members. It was founded on November 27, 1919 at Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College in Stillwater, Oklahoma. William Scroggs, now regarded as the "Founder," together with "Mr. Kappa Kappa Psi" A...
and Tau Beta Sigma
Tau Beta Sigma
Tau Beta Sigma is a co-educational national honorary band sorority dedicated to serving college and university bands. The Sorority, headquartered at the historic Stillwater Station in Stillwater, Oklahoma, numbers over 3,500 active members in 145 active chapters, and over 40,000 alumni...
, respectively.
Instruments
Rather than mellophones, baritones, and tubas, LHB has Mellos, SOB's (Society of Baritones), and TUBA!s. Also, the band does not march flutes, only piccolos or Piccs.The Longhorn Band Student Association
The Longhorn Band Student Association (LHBSA) is the group responsible for organizing student activities within the Longhorn Band. Its main purpose is to serve the Longhorn Band by helping members become acquainted and accustomed to working with one another. The LHBSA - is a registered student organization with the U.T. Dean of Students office. Membership is open to any Longhorn Band member, and the active fees are determined by the members each year. The LHBSA sponsors social events throughout the year and the annual Longhorn Band Awards Banquet in the spring.The officers of LHBSA are collectively termed the Band Council. Election of officers is held during the spring semester at a general meeting of the members of the LHBSA. The Freshman Advisors are elected by the LHBSA members during a general meeting in the fall. The Presidents of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are elected by their respective organizations and the Drum Major is determined by audition. Freshman Representatives are elected by the first year members of Longhorn Band at a special meeting following the posting of the final Longhorn Band audition results. The Parliamentarian, if deemed beneficial, is appointed by the President.
Kappa Kappa Psi
Kappa Kappa Psi is a National Honorary Band Fraternity dedicated to serving the needs of the university and college bands. In May 1940, thirty members of the University of Texas Longhorn Band, under the direction of Colonel George E. Hurt, petitioned the national office of Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity for a chapter. The charter was granted, and the local chapter was given the name Alpha Tau Nu. Later, this was changed to Alpha Tau.Alpha Tau has remained consistent over the past 51 years and has on average 40 members. Over the years, Alpha Tau has also been recognized as one of the top chapters in the nation, having been selected third in the nation at the 1969 National Convention. The 1970 and 1989 District Conventions and in part the 2001 National Convention were hosted by Alpha Tau.
The chapter serves the band through various means: setting up and tearing down all equipment during practice, moving equipment to and from the stadium on game days, serving water during practice, service projects, and community projects.
Kappa Kappa Psi hosts The Longhorn Band Golf Classic in May with help from LHBSA (Longhorn Band Student Association). The tournament has been held at the UT Golf Club and River Place Country Club in the past and will be held at Shadow Glen Golf Club, Sunday May 2, 2010. The event raises money for KKY and LHBSA. These are non-profit organizations and all proceeds go toward funding the activities of The Longhorn Band. Past participants have included Mack Brown and Colt McCoy.
Tau Beta Sigma
Tau Beta SigmaTau Beta Sigma
Tau Beta Sigma is a co-educational national honorary band sorority dedicated to serving college and university bands. The Sorority, headquartered at the historic Stillwater Station in Stillwater, Oklahoma, numbers over 3,500 active members in 145 active chapters, and over 40,000 alumni...
is the National Service Sorority for College Bandswomen. On March 8, 1957, the Beta Gamma Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma was founded at the University of Texas at Austin under director Vincent R. DiNino and his wife Jane DiNino. The members of Tau Beta Sigma are dedicated to serving the Longhorn Band and can be found repairing uniforms, serving water at football games, and carrying a sewing/medical kit during games and rehearsals.
The Beta Gamma chapter is also very active in the Austin community. Each year, the chapter adopts a local high school band with a small program in need of encouragement. TBS and other band members attend multiple home games each year. They perform in the stands with the high school band. Each year before the high school competes in UIL Marching competition, the Beta Gamma chapter decorates their band hall to show encouragement. Along those same lines they attend the high school's concerts to promote growth in the band program and encourage students to stick with music.
The chapter has also participated in marathons each year, runs drives to collect items for the Peace Corps, works with Habitat for Humanity, the Women's Shelter, the Humane Society, Girl Scouts, and has also been involved with UT's Relay for Life.
As their main form of fundraising, the Beta Gamma chapter is in charge of creating and selling Longhorn Band merchandise. These sales are known as "hall sales" in which LHB Shirts, CDs, picture frames, cowbells, and more are sold in the hall of the Music Building outside of the band hall by the treasurer and her committee. These "hall sales" take place on game days, as well as at Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in the spring.
"The Newman Beanie"
After audition results are posted, the new members are presented with the traditional Longhorn Band Newmember Beanie. There is then a contest held to see which of the new members can consecutively wear the beanie to practices the longest. The male and female new members who wear their beanie the longest are traditionally rewarded with a steak dinner."Shake the Fringe"
Performed in conjunction with certain drum cadences, "Shake the Fringe" refers to the effect that results from a Longhorn Band member moving their shoulders back and forth in quick, violent motions. The "Fringe" of the uniform then flails wildly in the air."Home on the Range"
Sung during the last two minutes of every home football game, the members of the Longhorn Band place their arms around each other, begin swaying from side to side and then jump up-and-down as they sing their own colorful take on a traditional state song:
Home, home on the range,
where the deer and the antelope play with themselves.
Where seldom is heeeeeeeaaaaard,
a discouraging woooooooooooord,
and the skies are not cloudy all day. [Hey, hey, hey]
The tradition started in the 70's when the band would often sing dirty songs in the stands. The director at the time yelled at the band to sing something nice like "Home on the Range", and so the version now sang was created.
"Hup...hup...hup"
Innocent and unsuspecting pedestrians may find themselves as objects of entertainment for the Longhorn Band members. After targeting an individual, LHB members will yell "hup" every time the target takes a step. Once the individual realizes what is happening they typically adjust their strides in an effort to confuse, trick, evade, or hoodwink the band. The "hups" continue until the individual stands still, at which point the band lets out a long sigh, or if the individual trips and falls down.In The Stands
The Longhorn Band follows many traditions while in the stands for Longhorn football games. Most of all, all members stand for the entire game and yell before every play in conjunction with ringing their cowbells. Numerous times throughout the game, the "Texas! . . . Fight!" chant is yelled by the entire stadium. Also, the drumline plays cadences between almost every play, all of which are accompanied by dancing or chanting, such as "Go, Horns, Go", "Where my horns at?", "Defense!", and "Texas, Texas, yeehaw!"Spring Banquet
Each spring, usually the first weekend in May, the Longhorn Band Spring Awards Banquet takes place. This event is not only a celebration for a great year but it also serves as the event that passes the torch to the next generation of LHB by the presentation of scholarships and traditional honors such as:- Scholarships awarded by the Alumni Band
- Lettering awards are for LHB's First and Veteran Members
- Passing of the President's Ring to the new council president
- Passing of the Freshman Advisor Beanies to the new Advisors
- The Drum Major for the next year is announced and presented with the Drum Major Buckle
- And various other awards are presented.
President's Ring
One tradition of LHB is the "Passing of the President's Ring." During this ceremony, which takes place at the annual Spring Banquet, the former Band President presents the ring to the new President. The tradition began at the close of World War II when the parents of Curtis Popham, Longhorn Band Drum Major, who was killed in the war, gave Curtis' University ring to the Band for this purpose.Drum Major's belt buckle
The Drum Major's belt buckle is passed on to the new Drum Major at the annual Spring Banquet. Engraved on the back are the names of past Longhorn Band Drum Majors beginning in 1969.Longhorn Alumni Band
The Longhorn Alumni Band, or LHAB, is composed of former members of the Longhorn Band. The Longhorn Alumni Band plays at many services and dinners in the Austin area as well as Alumni Band Day. On Alumni Band Day, many of the former band members come together for a special halftime performanceHalftime show
A halftime show is a performance given during halftime, the period between the first and second halves, or the second and third quarters, of a sporting event. Halftime shows are not given for sports with an irregular or indeterminate number of divisions , or for sports that do not have an extended...
during one of the football games. During Alumni Band Day, LHB and LHAB share the field, numbering over 1,000 members for their performance. The Alumni Band Association is the largest in the world, with 2,600 members among its ranks, scattered across seven countries.
Awards and honors
In 1974, the Longhorn Band was selected to perform at Super Bowl VIIISuper Bowl VIII
Super Bowl VIII was a professional American football game played on January 13, 1974 at Rice Stadium. in Houston, Texas to decide the National Football League champion following the 1973 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Miami Dolphins defeated the National Football...
in Houston, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
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In 1986, the Longhorn Band was awarded the prestigious Louis Sudler Intercollegiate Marching Band Trophy
John Philip Sousa Foundation
The John Philip Sousa Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the promotion of band music internationally. The foundation administers a number of projects and awards supporting high quality band performance, conducting, and composition....
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The Longhorn Band was selected and performed for inaugurations of President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
s Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
, Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
and the two inaugurations of George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
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