Friday, November 23, 2018

Blast from the President

Hello LHAB

Thank you to everyone who attended this year for the 55th Alumni Band Day and the historic 500th game at DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium as our Texas Football Longhorns decidedly BTHOOIS.   It was a great ending to the 2018 home football season on the Forty Acres!  Let's cheer on our Horns as they play in the BIG12 Championship game on December 1 against O-Who - #BTHOOOU

On behalf of LHAB, I want to say thank you to Dr Scott Hanna, Professor Jerry Junkin, and the entire Longhorn Band faculty and staff, as they are huge supporters and advocates of LHAB.  They provide immense support in manpower, supplies and financial support when needed and they are committed to our success and growth.  We are one large family and we’re very grateful for everyone connected with LHB.

As your LHAB President for 2018-19, I am honored and excited to serve in this position.  I follow a long line of past presidents who paved the way for LHAB.  I am especially proud to follow in the footsteps of Sara Beth Purdy who has become a great friend and did a super job this year with kicking off several initiatives for LHAB:  display case restoration, Normandy planning, and the charter membership with the National Association of Alumni Bands (NA0AB), and creating the LHAB/LHB Meet & Greet event.  We can’t thank Sara enough for all the many volunteer hours and dedication she put forth in her work for LHAB.  THANK YOU and we appreciate you!

Thank you to all of our LHAB Officers, field operations, section leaders, volunteers and KKY/TBS students who worked extremely hard on this year's Alumni Band Day and helped make the event an incredible success.  Without their dedication and commitment, we couldn't pull off the weekend's events and create an enjoyable and memorable experience for our members.

What's ahead for 2018-19?

This year is going to be an exciting year for LHAB.  We’ll be working with the National Association of Alumni Bands (NAoAB) as a charter member to help form its mission and how we can help other alumni band across the country.  We’ll expand our involvement with LHB and continue the new activities from the past year or two to continue with LHAB gift tokens to LHB; Meet & Greet Night; Orange & White game participation; #40for40 and the scholarship presentation event.

With our recent Band Day behind us, we now focus on operations for the Normandy trip.  I am extremely pleased to have Bill Phillips and the entire Normandy Steering Committee serving and working diligently on the hundreds of details needed to execute the plan.  With our once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform in France at the 75th D-Day Anniversary, we’ll be on the world stage representing the United States, allied nations, Texas and UT-Austin, and we’re all anxiously looking forward to honoring our veterans.  IF you have any poignant story that you think would be important for us to know, please email me directly any bio, pictures or any story that links you, LHAB/LHB, WWII and your family to this historic timeframe.

I am reminded that LHAB was started in 1964 by young passionate and energetic alumni who had a love for the Longhorn Band and wanted to have annual band reunions with purposeful intentions in sustaining the Longhorn Band through scholarship campaigns.  H.B. Dunagan started passing his hat around the room and the first LHAB scholarship was $50.  In 2018, LHAB distributed over $80,000 and we’re just on the heels of breaking the $100,000 benchmark in the very near future with your continued important donations.  Each dollar counts!!!!!

I will be proposing some new initiatives this year to help us with the strategic planning and growth of our organization.  One that is a 3-pronged approach to help us recruit and sustain future LHAB leaders, while also consulting with past leadership for institutional knowledge ensuring we maintain the honored traditions of this organization as we move to the next 5-10-15 years with agility and flexibility to meet the needs of all decades of members.

Additionally, we hope to create a program with the LHAB Charitable Fund Board of Trustees by creating a recurring donation program via automatic credit card donations, as well as an annual giving plan.  If you are interested in creating a special named scholarship, please contact us and we’ll put you in touch with the right people to help you navigate that process properly and efficiently.

Numbers and stats for LHAB and Alumni Band Day 2018:

Attended 713 Total Band Day Scholarship donations $14,697
Marched 690 Total who marched Bevo Blvd/Stampede        230
Guests 577

Here is an InfoGraphic of our membership breakdown:

This is just a representation of our membership by instrumentation currently in our LHAB database.  We have an additional 200+ members that we will make contact with to update our records.

As with any large volunteer organization, we are only as successful as our committed members who are engaged and actively volunteer their time and particular expertise.  There are many things members can do to help us take care of the general operations of the organization and skills people bring to us to give of their time, instead of money.  Members are strongly encouraged to participate in local playing events in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio and Austin.

We are increasingly receiving more and more playing event requests from UT donors willing to make sizable donations to our LHAB Charitable Scholarship Fund.  Too often we have to turn down these requests due to insufficient player participation and we leave money on the table from willing and active donors.  You’ll hear more about these events as the year goes on.

As we announce LHAB playing events in your city,  I have one request from you - ask your fellow bandmates to participate at these playing events and follow the mantra of “Tell a friend, Bring a friend” and come play - a little peer pressure won’t hurt!  All these events are fun and it’s always for a good cause and you’ll have a chance to meet and visit more alumni.  We are working on adding additional music to the website download tab to help update and improve our repertoire of music we play at these events.  Maybe by you playing a few of these events during the year it’ll be a great way to keep up your playing chops for next Band Day, LOL:)

Band Day Survey coming soon!

We’ll be sending out the 2018 Band Day Survey in the next week and we would appreciate it if you would complete the survey and provide us with important feedback.  We want to hear from you!!!  This organization is made up of all of YOU and each person has a part in LHAB.  Bring your ideas to us if you think we need to make some adjustments and I might just ask you to own that idea and bring it to fruition for the betterment of the organization. Feel free to email me directly and I'll reply to you as soon as I'm able to.

Thank you and Hook ‘em Horns!
Geof

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Geof Sloan   |  512.689.6396
LHAB President
geofsloan@gmail.com
           

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Band Day Final Reminders


We look forward to having our alumni back on the Forty Acres and hope the fellowship, comradery and socializing you have with friends and fellow alumni is an enjoyable and memorable experience. Please take time to meet new members and folks you don't know.

LHAB is a large proud organization spanning many decades of members and we have the best damn alumni band in the world. Have fun and enjoy the weekend!


Friday:  Longhorn Band Hall at Butler School of Music 
Check-in / Late Registration       5:30pm
Business Meeting / Rehearsal    7:00 pm

Saturday:  The Bubble;  Band Hall;  Stadium
Section Leader Meeting:       9:30 am  (Byrd Room or Bubble)
Rehearsal                            10:30 am  (The Bubble)
Combined Rehearsal           12:30 pm  with LHB

The Saturday Band Day Schedule will also be posted to the outside cover of the Band Day program.  Main times of the day will also be printed on the back of all name badges.

GAME DAY WEATHER


Forecast for Saturday shows mid-70's in the day and at night in the low 60's & low 50's during game time.  Please dress accordingly and layer in UT colors and jackets, outer jackets used as needed.  Can you hear Scott Fisher with his signature sign off, "HOOK ‘EMMMMMMM HORNS,"?



Uniform for halftime will be LHAB Uniform standards of black pants, solid white collared shirt, black shoes/socks and LHAB vest.  Layer appropriately under uniform if needed for cooler temperatures.

PARKING INSTRUCTIONS


Alumni can use this link to preorder parking: https://utparking.clickandpark.com/
Location:  2630 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712
Speedway Garage opens at 5:00 am, but LHAB shuttles won't begin until approximately 9:00 am
Click-N-Park with code: WALLTOWALL
This code will grant a rate of $10 for parking.  350 spaces made available for LHAB.

SHUTTLE INFORMATION


TIME                             SHUTTLE ROUTE
  9:00 am - 10:00 am     Speedway Garage to Band Hall Stop
10:00 am - 10:30 am     Band Hall Stop to Bubble
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm         Bubble to Band Hall Stop
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm         Speedway Garage to Bubble to Band Hall
AFTER the Game             Band Hall Stop to Speedway Garage  (3 loops only for 75 minutes)

MUSIC


Please download from the LHAB member login all the music needed for the pre-game performance of Iowa State University alma mater, halftime music and any stand tunes you need to freshen up your chops.

BEVO BLVD AND STAMPEDE PARADES


Members who indicated interest in playing the parades for Bevo Blvd and Stampede will be assigned at the Check-In times to one of the two bands with Longhorn Band students and your assignment will be written on the back of your name badge as either BB for Bevo Blvd band or SS for Stampede band. Follow the band day schedule in the program for the call time to leave the band hall.

This is a new tradition this year for everyone on campus and we're thrilled to be a part of this new band day experience.  We think you'll find it very exciting and hope you'll enjoy the parade


Hook 'em - BTHOOISU
LHAB

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

ALUMNI BAND DAY PARKING INSTRUCTIONS


Alumni can use this link to preorder parking: https://utparking.clickandpark.com/

Location:  2630 Speedway, Austin, TX 78712
Speedway Garage opens at 5:00am, but LHAB shuttles won't begin until approximately 9:00 am

Click-N-Park with code: WALLTOWALL
This code will grant a rate of $10 for parking.  350 spaces made available for LHAB.

Saturday Parking:
Select - DKR/Texas Memorial for parking, then SPEEDWAY garage.  enter code WALLTOWALL

Friday and Sunday Parking:
Select College of Fine Arts Parking and then select the dates you need.  It will show NOV 1, select that date, then choose the dates you need to park  Nov 16 or Nov 18.  parking on these dates are approximately $6, no code required.


Contact information on UT Parking Services if needed:
5:00 AM - 12:00 PM Alumni Band weekend (PTS Approved) PTS SWG
105 E. 27th Street
Phone: (512) 232-7970
E-mail: garages@utexas.edu

Band Day Shuttle Info

TIME                                         SHUTTLE ROUTE

9:00 am - 10:00 am         Speedway Garage to Band Hall Stop
10:00 am - 10:30 am Band Hall Stop to Bubble
1:00 pm - 1:30 pm            Bubble to Band Hall Stop
1:30 pm - 3:00 pm            Speedway Garage to Bubble to Band Hall
AFTER the Game                Band Hall Stop to Speedway Garage 
                                                (3 loops only for 75 minutes)


1. From 9:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m.     Speedway Garage to Band Hall Stop

Two shuttles will make multiple trips (approximately 15 minutes apart) to pick up passengers from the Speedway Garage entrance on Speedway and drop them off at the Band Hall Stop (southwest corner of Dean Keeton St. and Robert Dedman Dr.). Please park at the entrance to the Speedway Garage on Speedway (west side of the street near the bus stop). The first shuttle should begin at 9:00 a.m. The second shuttle should leave 15 minutes after the first or when the shuttle is full (whichever comes first).

2. From 10:00 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.     Band Hall Stop to The Bubble

Two shuttles will make multiple trips (approximately 5 minutes apart) to pick up passengers from the Band Hall Stop (southwest corner of Dean Keeton St. and Robert Dedman Dr.) and drop them off at the Indoor Practice Field (The Bubble).

3.  From 1:00 p.m. until 1:30 p.m.     The Bubble to Band Hall Stop

Two shuttles will make multiple trips (approximately 5 minutes apart) to pick up passengers from the Band Hall Stop (southwest corner of Dean Keeton St. and Robert Dedman Dr.) and drop them off at the Indoor Practice Field (The Bubble).

4.  From 1:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.     Loops between Speedway, Bubble and Band Hall Stop.

Two shuttles will make 3 loops only between the Speedway Garage, the Indoor Practice Field (The Bubble) and the Band Hall Stop (approximately 10 minutes apart). Shuttles will drop passengers off at the Band Hall Stop (southwest corner of Dean Keeton St. and Robert Dedman Dr.), pick up passengers from the Indoor Practice Field (The Bubble), drop them off at the Speedway Garage, and drop them off at the Band Hall Stop (southwest corner of Dean Keeton St. and Robert Dedman Dr.).

5. At 3:00 p.m., park the shuttles and drivers may attend the 7:00 p.m. game. Please leave during the 4th quarter to retrieve the shuttles.

6. Immediately following the game:   Band Hall Stop to Speedway Garage

Two shuttles will make multiple loops (approximately 5 minutes apart) for 75 minutes to pick up passengers from the Band Hall Stop (southwest corner of Dean Keeton St. and Robert Dedman Dr.) and drop them off at the Speedway Garage.

Friday, November 9, 2018

2018 Alumni Band Day Schedule of Events


LHAB Business Meeting/Rehearsal

Friday, November 16, 2018
Longhorn Band Hall - Music Building
5:30 p.m.    Check-in and late registration;
                   Rental instrument pick up;  Spirit item order pick up
7:00 p.m.    Business Meeting / Rehearsal

Alumni Band Day Schedule

Saturday, November 17, 2018
Longhorn Band Hall - The Bubble - DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium
9:30 a.m.   LHAB Pick up name tags, instruments, BBQ tickets, spirit items
9:30 a.m.   LHAB Section leader meeting (Byrd Room or Bubble)
9:30 a.m.    Texas Drums Alumni cadence run-thru  (Bubble practice field)
10:00 a.m.   LHAB Walk or shuttle to Bubble
10:30 a.m.  LHAB Playing and marching rehearsal (Bubble)
12:30 p.m.  Combined rehearsal of LHAB/LHB (Bubble)
1:00 p.m.     LHB Rehearsal (Bubble)
1:15 p.m.     LHAB BBQ (Breezeway between BSOM and TPA)
2:30 p.m.     LHB rehearsal ends
2:45 p.m.     LHB Pre-game meal (Bands 5 and 6 eat first)
3:40 p.m.    Band 6 departs for BEVO Boulevard
4:00 p.m.     BEVO Boulevard
4:30 p.m.     LHAB pick up vests (Room 2.016)
4:35 p.m.    Band 5 departs for Stadium Stampede
4:45 p.m.     Stadium Stampede
5:45 p.m.     Percussion on the Green (Texas Drums Alumni invited)
5:45 p.m.     LHB Inspection
5:30 p.m.    LHAB line up for march into stadium
5:50 p.m.     LHAB step off for stadium
6:30 p.m.     LHB step off for stadium
7:00 p.m.     Kickoff (#BTHOOIS)

Schedule in PDF format

Band Day Social Media Hashtags:   #LHAB2018  #ThisIsTexas
Facebook:  @LonghornAlumniBand
Twitter:  @LHAB     Instagram:  @UTLHAB


Deadline to register online is Monday, November 12th at 5:00 pm. LATE registration will only available on Friday, Nov. 16th at the business meeting and late registrants will incur a late fee.

We cannot guarantee a marching position for any late registrants, so don’t delay-- register today! For more detailed information about the weekend, check out the Blast Blog. http://www.lhab.org/band-day


See you at Band Day!
Hook ‘em,
LHAB

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Band Day Updates - 1 week to go


Longhorn Alumni Band Day is almost upon us!  Please remember that the deadline to register online is Monday, November 12th at 5:00pm. Walk-up registration is only available on Friday, Nov. 16th at the business meeting and will incur a late fee.  We also cannot guarantee a marching position for any late registrants, so don’t delay-- register today! For more detailed information about the weekend, check out the Blast Blog. http://www.lhab.org/the-blast-blog/tag/BandDay2018

Guest Seating Update


GREAT NEWS!  UT Athletics has heard your voices!  All guest seating for the Alumni game will now be adjacent to LHAB in the South End Zone.  If you were hesitant to register for Band Day due to guests being seated in the North End Zone, we have arranged for an additional allotment of 25-30 guest tickets adjacent to LHAB.  These tickets will be distributed on a 1st come, 1st serve basis.  Please register online and pay ASAP.  After registration is confirmed, email http://www.lhab.org/contact-us and identify the number of guest tickets required. A separate credit card charge will be made if guest tickets are available.


Music


Please download your music before arriving at rehearsal on Friday, Nov. 16th.  To access the music, you will need to login to the LHAB Member Area of the website and click on the Music tab.  Music is categorized by Halftime, Traditionals/Stands - Parade, and Normandy.  Reminder, for Normandy participants there is a rehearsal on Sunday, November 18th from 1:00-2:30pm at the Longhorn Band Hall.


Uniform


The Band Day uniform for all LHAB members is black pants (no jeans), a white collared shirt, and black shoes and black socks.  A burnt orange vest will be provided.  Per LHAB Bylaws, members who are marching are required to be in the appropriate uniform.


Spirit Items


Now is the perfect time to show off your LHAB pride by purchasing spirit items!  You won’t want to miss out on the great bargains.  Order online by Monday, November 12th and your items will be ready for pick up at the Friday night Band Day check in at the Band Hall. http://shop.lhab.org/

Please be aware that if you are planning to purchase spirit items in person during Alumni Band Weekend, the only time you may do so will be on Friday night.


Hope to see you next weekend!
Hook ‘em,

LHAB