Background
The Longhorn Band is a year-round program offered as a course by the School of Music at The University of Texas. Registration in this course is open to any student of the various academic disciplines provided at the University of Texas. Activities begin with Band Week in preparation for the marching season in August and continue until University graduations in late May. They resume again during the summer with the Longhorn Band program which includes outdoor concerts and participation in the Longhorn Music Camp as counselors for high school and junior high school students. University of Texas students may register for concert and jazz bands in the spring and summer semesters as well as audition for the Longhorn Band in the fall semester.
Throughout the fall, the Longhorn Band performs at all University of Texas football games, opting to bring a smaller pep band for out-of-state trips. For NCAA Bowl game trips, the tradition has been to bring the entire Longhorn Band. Additional performances include pep rallies, parades, and a special halftime show with the Longhorn Alumni Band. Annually, the Longhorn Band makes guest appearances at many events that spotlight the popularity of the band. Recent invitations include CBS This Morning, Erwin Center speech by President Clinton, Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys football games. Fall rehearsals are held from 6:30 to 8:30 on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and a few hours before kickoff on game days.
During the spring, the Longhorn Band divides into several ensembles including three concert bands, two jazz ensembles, and the Longhorn Basketball Band. Spring rehearsals are held twice a week for ninety minutes each. Specific times vary for each ensemble. The bands and ensembles practice during the week for the annual Band-O-Rama held in Bass -Concert Hall. Band-O-Rama performance showcase the talents of the three concert bands, two jazz ensembles, section features, and a guest performance by high school and junior high school students with their respective instrument section. Other notable annual activities include invitations of band students from Austin area schools to practice side-by-side with Longhorn Band members, concerts at high schools, and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade in San Antonio.
Organization
Organization of the Longhorn Band is comprised of multiple administrative and leadership units that work together.
The Longhorn Band Director, Dr. Robert Carnochan, is responsible for all administrative aspects of the band program, coordination of faculty and staff, and student organizations. In addition to these administrative tasks, the teaching assignments include the Longhorn Marching Band, the Symphony Band, and conducting courses. The director also serves on numerous University of Texas and School of Music committees.
The Longhorn Band Associate Director, Dr. Scott S. Hanna, and the Longhorn Band Assistant Director, Damon Talley, handle administrative duties of the Longhorn Band, visiting band arrangements, and recruiting of new members. Teaching responsibilities include the Longhorn Band, the Longhorn Basketball Band, Brass Methods course of the School of Music, and special ensemble bands for the University of Texas athletic department.
The Administrative Associate coordinates all band related correspondence and business matters. All purchasing orders for materials or equipment, publications, and student staffs are supervised by this position.
The Senior Office Assistant handles band office administrative duties including announcements publication, recruiting correspondence, and travel details.
The Band Council is composed of eight elected officers, five ex-officio officers, and if so desired by the President, one appointed officer. The elected members are the President, Social Vice-President, Sports Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Historian, and the two Freshman Advisors. The five ex-officio members are the Drum Major, the President of Tau Beta Sigma, the President of Kappa Kappa Psi, and the two Freshmen Representatives. The optional appointed member is the Parliamentarian. All council officers are voting members. Council members' responsibilities include planning social events, determining lettering awards, and handling individual responsilibities of their respective offices. The Council meets regularly and is always open to Longhorn Band members.
The three student staffs include the music library staff, the equipment staff, and the uniform staff. Each staff is administered by a student head of staff.
The Longhorn Band also has two very active and helpful honorary fraternal organizations, the Alpha Tau chapter of the national honorary band fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi, and the Beta Gamma chapter of the national honorary band sorority Tau Beta Sigma, whose purpose is to build a better band through service whenever and wherever needed.
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.
2006 - 2007 LHBSA Officers:
- President - Zack Allen
- Social Vice President - Chelsey Northern
- Sports Vice President - Lisa Anderlik
- Treasurer - Doug Ziegler
- Sectetary - Liz Prentice
- Historian - Kevin Clemons
- Freshman Advisors - Michael Evans, Mason Markee
- Parliamentarian - Jocelyn Alloway
- KKY President - Edward Lopez
- TBS President - Jeanette Wiemers
- Drum Major - Robert Selaiden
- Freshman Representatives - Katie Baker & Tyler Meyers