Texas Band: A Large University Ensemble

The University of Texas Longhorn Band, also known as the Showband of the Southwest, is the university's marching band. The band was founded in 1900 and currently includes about 375 students. Membership is open to all students university-wide by audition. The Longhorn 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 Longhorn Band's history and achievements

The Longhorn Band, also known as the Showband of the Southwest, was founded in 1900 by distinguished professor of chemistry, Dr. Eugene P. Schoch, and is the largest student spirit organisation on the University of Texas campus. It is a year-round programme offered as a course by the Butler School of Music and is open to students of various academic disciplines.

In its early years, Dr. H.E. Baxter served as the first director of the band for five years before Dr. Schoch took over. Dr. Schoch stepped down as director after five years but continued to serve as a chaperone. For the next seven years, the Longhorn Band was run by students. In 1921, Mr Burnett "Blondie" Pharr became the director, leading the band on a tour through 17 states, performing at the Chicago World's Fair, Madison Square Garden, and Washington, D.C. Under Colonel George E. Hurt's tenure, which began in 1936, the band grew to over 200 members. Moton Crockett assumed directorship in 1949, overseeing the purchase of the large bass drum, Big Bertha, which became known as the "Sweetheart of the Longhorn Band".

In 1955, Vincent R. DiNino was hired as director and is credited with shaping the band into the organisation it is today. He introduced many traditions, including western-style uniforms, the Big Flags Brigade, the Longhorn Alumni Band, and cowbells. DiNino also oversaw the introduction of women into the band in positions other than majorette in 1956 and the integration of the band in 1962. The adoption of the moniker "Showband of the Southwest" also occurred during this time.

Under the direction of Tom C. Rhodes (1975-1980), Glenn A. Richter (1980-1995), Paula Crider (1995-1999), Kevin Sedatole (1999-2001), Dr. Robert Carnochan (2001-2015), and Dr. Scott Hanna (2015-2021), the Longhorn Band continued to thrive and evolve. In 2021, Dr. Hanna announced his retirement, and Dr. Cliff Croomes, assistant director of bands at Louisiana State University, was chosen as the band's first Black director.

Throughout its history, the Longhorn Band has performed at notable events, including Super Bowl VIII and the inaugural parades of five presidents: John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush. In 1986, the band received the prestigious Sudler Trophy. The Longhorn Band is internationally recognised as one of the premier collegiate band programs, fostering a high level of music-making, music learning, and musical experience for its members and audiences alike.

The band's structure and membership requirements

The Longhorn Band, also known as the Showband of the Southwest, is the marching band of The University of Texas at Austin. The band was founded in 1900 and currently comprises about 375 students. Membership is open to all students university-wide, regardless of their academic discipline, but they must register for a year-round course offered by the Sarah and Ernest Butler School of Music. Students must also audition to secure a place in the band. This audition process involves several steps, including a video playing audition, Band Week, and a final marching and playing audition.

The Longhorn Band is a year-round commitment, with activities taking place from August until late May, when university graduations occur. During the fall, the band performs at all University of Texas home football games, as well as at bowl games, pep rallies, parades, and a special halftime show with the Longhorn Alumni Band. A smaller subset of the band travels with the team for out-of-state games. In the spring, members are required to participate in a Longhorn concert band, a jazz ensemble, a percussion ensemble, or an indoor color guard class. These ensembles give at least two performances each.

The Longhorn Band is led by Dr. Cliff Croomes, who also serves as the director of the Symphony Band. The band is further supported by an associate director and an assistant director. Overall, the University of Texas Bands are led by a team of five faculty members.

In addition to the Longhorn Band, the University of Texas also has several other bands, including the Longhorn Pep Band, Longhorn Jazz Ensemble, Longhorn Percussion Ensemble, and University Color Guard. These bands offer students a range of performance opportunities and are open to both Longhorn Band members and non-members.

Performances and appearances

The Longhorn Band, also known as the Showband of the Southwest, is the marching band of The University of Texas at Austin. It was founded in 1900 by distinguished professor of chemistry, Dr. Eugene P. Schoch, and is currently under the direction of Dr. Cliff Croomes. The band includes about 375 students and performs at all in-state University of Texas football games, for various Texas Longhorn Athletics teams, and at special pep rallies and parades throughout the year.

During the fall, the Longhorn Band performs at all University of Texas home football games, while a smaller subset of the band travels with the team for out-of-state games. The Longhorn Band also performs at bowl games, pep rallies, parades, and a special halftime show with the Longhorn Alumni Band. The Longhorn Band makes guest appearances at many campus and community events that spotlight the band's popularity.

In addition to these regular performances, the Longhorn Band has had the honour of performing at Super Bowl VIII and the inaugural parades of five presidents: John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson, Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and George W. Bush. The band was also selected to perform at the inaugurations of Theodore Roosevelt and George W. Bush for his second term.

The Longhorn Band is known for its energetic and engaging presence at football games, with members standing for the entire game and actively participating in chants and cowbell ringing. They take the lead in firing up Texas fans with their favourite yells, adding to the excitement of the sporting events.

During the spring, Longhorn Band members are required to participate in different ensembles, including concert bands, a jazz ensemble, a percussion ensemble, or an indoor colour guard class. These ensembles give at least two performances each. Other notable annual spring activities include concerts at local performance venues, on-campus appearances, and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade in San Antonio.

Scholarships and funding

The Longhorn Band, also known as the Showband of the Southwest, is the largest student spirit organisation on the University of Texas campus. It is a year-round programme offered for course credit by the Butler School of Music. Membership is open to all students university-wide by audition. Scholarships are available for the Longhorn Band based on merit, leadership and academic need.

The Longhorn Alumni Band Charitable Fund has invested heavily in Longhorn Band Scholarships, committing $1,240,000 to the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music, including a $600,000 general scholarship fund and 19 named scholarship funds. The Longhorn Alumni Band was founded in 1964 with the core mission to raise funds for student scholarships. The earnings of all endowments dedicated to the Longhorn Band made it possible to award scholarships to 164 students in 2020. Awards ranged from $1200 to $3500.

The University of Texas at Austin is considered one of the best universities in the world, and also one of the best values. All students admitted to the Butler School of Music are automatically considered for school-administered, merit-based scholarship awards. Non-residents of Texas are eligible to be awarded out-of-state tuition waivers. More than 60% of incoming students receive merit-based scholarship awards from the Butler School of Music.

Undergraduate students must enrol in a minimum of 12 semester hours of coursework per semester to be eligible to receive Butler School of Music scholarship assistance. Graduate students must enrol in a minimum of nine semester hours of coursework per semester.

Academic scholarships and financial aid awards are available through the university's Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. To be considered for campus-wide scholarships, students must submit the Continuing and Transfer Scholarship Application by 15 March. The university plans to award 450 University Endowed Presidential Scholarships (UEPS) of $2,500 each for the 2024-25 academic year. To be considered, students must log in to LASSO and submit the OSFA - University-wide Endowed Presidential Scholarship Application by 25 March 2024.

The band's future direction

The University of Texas Longhorn Band, also known as the Showband of the Southwest, is the university's marching band and the largest student spirit organization on campus. The band was founded in 1900 and currently consists of about 375 students.

The Longhorn Band has a rich history and has received prestigious honors, such as the Sudler Trophy in 1986, and has performed at notable events, including Super Bowl VIII and inaugural parades for five presidents. The band aims to continue this legacy of excellence and explore new directions to enhance its reputation.

Expanding Diversity and Performance Opportunities

The University of Texas has recognized the need to expand options, access, and diversity within its bands. This includes addressing concerns related to "The Eyes of Texas" alma mater and funding challenges. As a result, the university has developed a plan to increase long-term funding, reduce financial burdens on students, and create a diverse and high-performing collection of band options. This will involve:

• Inviting students to opt into multiple elective band performance opportunities with transparency about curricular expectations.
• Offering a range of band options, including the traditional Longhorn Band, the Longhorn Pep Band, university concert bands, jazz and percussion ensembles, and a color guard.
• Providing opportunities for collaboration between different bands, such as the Longhorn Band and Mariachi Paredes, to create diverse and engaging performances.
• Increasing financial support for University Bands, including the stabilization and growth of the Mariachi Paredes program.
• Developing a new, appropriately funded "to be named" University Band, with a focus on marching band, leading/directing bands, and community engagement. This band will not play the university alma mater or fight song.

Enhancing Scholarship Opportunities

The University of Texas understands the importance of supporting its band members financially. They have committed to providing performance scholarships of $1,000 to all students in the Longhorn Band, Longhorn Pep Band, Mariachi Paredes, and the new University Band. Additionally, band section leaders will receive a minimum of $2,500, and merit scholarships will continue to be awarded. The university also plans to offer financial support in the following areas:

• Outreach efforts and social change initiatives across all university bands.
• Expanding the musical diversity of the bands, including their repertoire, faculty, and leadership.
• Eliminating participation and uniform fees to encourage greater band membership.
• Developing a security plan to ensure the safety of students, both on campus and during away games.
• Investing in the maintenance and upkeep of instruments, uniforms, and other essential items.

Fostering a Culture of Excellence

The University of Texas Bands have a mission to foster the highest level of music-making, music learning, and musical experience for both performers and audiences. To achieve this, they will continue to:

• Provide an environment that promotes performances of wind and percussion music of the highest quality.
• Offer a year-round program as a course through the Butler School of Music, open to students from various academic disciplines.
• Encourage collaboration between students, faculty, teachers, performers, and patrons to promote and further wind band music.
• Maintain their reputation as one of the premier collegiate band programs in the United States, led by a dedicated team of faculty members.
• Offer graduate programs in wind band conducting, providing immersive education and practical experience in teaching and managing a comprehensive university band program.

The University of Texas Longhorn Band is committed to preserving its proud history while embracing new directions that enhance its reputation and benefit its student members. By expanding diversity, performance opportunities, and scholarship offerings, the band is poised to continue its legacy of excellence and foster a vibrant and inclusive musical community on campus.

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