LHB Update -Fall/Winter 2013

Dear Longhorn Alumni Band!

I hope everyone has had a great fall so far!  Since Alumni Band weekend, the Longhorn Band has been keeping quite busy.  We just performed a very well received show at the Cotton Bowl this past Saturday, Les Mis! We couldn’t be more proud of both it and the football team’s performance against OU.  It was an incredible game that I’m sure many of you attended as well.  

To get in the spirit of OU week, LHB had dress-up days at rehearsal, which included the much-loved “Dress Like a Sooner Day”.  I always find those days to be so much fun because the creativity and hilarity of LHB members never ceases to impress me!  

Before all the activities and spirit days of the past couple weeks, we were working hard on perfecting our Disney show. We also performed that show at the AISD Band Jamboree, which is always a great experience because they are always so excited to see us.  Now, we are getting ready for the Patriotic show and are very excited to travel over to Fort Worth next weekend and beat the hell outta TCU!  

We appreciate all the support from LHAB and hope to see y’all at the next home game!

Hook ‘em!

Alison Goodwin

Longhorn Band President, 2013-2014

Band Day 2013 FAQs

1. Why have our seats been moved to the upper deck?

LHAB and LHB directors have worked closely with UT Athletics to have our seats moved, but many of the seats in the stadium are sold to season ticket holders. There are certain sections that are not season tickets yet, which is where LHAB sits.  We greatly appreciate UT Athletics listening to our concerns every year.

2. Why do we have to have a business meeting during our Friday night rehearsal?
According to our bylaws of LHAB, we have to hold an annual meeting with our members in Austin. We chose to do so on Friday night to make Saturday's rehearsal less stressful.

3. It was difficult to hear at the business meeting. Do you have a better sound system?
In 2014, we will borrow LHB's sound system for our business meeting.

4. Why does it always take so long to start the marching rehearsal on Saturday morning? 
This year we had over 700 people marching with some sections being larger than anticipated. We were literally re-charting people as we went to prevent injuries. Next year, we have plan to have a more flexible chart and more section leaders volunteer.

5. Why did we run out of drinks before halftime? 
We ordered 2 drinks per person (1400 drinks.) With the march up the ramp & humidity, most of them were consumed during pregame.

6. Several of the rental instruments are in need of repair.
We've heard your concerns and are organizing a day to inventory non-working instruments. Representatives from each section are encouraged to attend. Most of the instruments we rent out are: mellos, tubas, and percussion. We don't have woodwinds or smaller brass instruments available for rental. Please bring your own mouthpiece!

7. Where can I find information about Band Day?All information is posted on the Blast Blog which can be found on lhab.org. It automatically sends you a message via Facebook and Twitter. Please like us on our official Facebook page to remain in constant communication. 

Letter from the President - Fall/Winter 2013

Hello LHABers!

Band Day 2013 was one of the largest attended reunions! Even though it was hot and many of you longed to play March Grandioso during halftime, we proudly overcame all the trials and tribulations of the weekend. The bright side was, we won our first game! We are looking forward to finishing out the remainder of the football season strong. In case you missed the 50th Reunion, here's the scoop!

•  We awarded over $52,250 in scholarships to 47 deserving Longhorn Band students. 
• The former Lord Mayor of the City of Weistminster, Duncan Sandys, issued LHAB a formal invitation for London's New Year's Day Parade in 2015 that was graciously accepted. 
• LHAB has been widely featured in the Austin media market regarding the 50th Reunion and the London invitation on: KVUE, Longhorn Network, KEYE, The Alcalde, and KVR (Texas Students Televsion). 
• A modernized LHAB logo was voted on and accepted by majority. 
• The business meeting was held at Scholz's with food & beverages. 

The plans for London are well under way. Your officers have been diligently working behind the scenes in preparation for our first international parade. We hope that many of you will be able to participate in this unique event. Please refer to the website for a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list and detailed information. Everything on-line is current and you're encouraged to read it thoroughly. Check back often for updates and the late October informational live blog meeting time.

Your concerns were voiced through Survey Monkey and we listened. Check out the Band Day 2013 FAQs later on in the Blast to see our answers.

LHAB intends to hold more mini social events this year. We are looking forward to interacting with our membership more by building a stronger rapport, creating networking relationships, and making our newest alum feel welcome. Coming soon in November-storage and inventory clean out day. December- Caroling at the UT Tower (weather permitting). The exact dates will be posted soon.

My deepest appreciation is extended to all the officers, directors of LHB, Board of Directors, and Board of Trustees whom helped make the weekend possible. Without your dedication and countless volunteer hours, Band Day 2013 just wouldn't be the same. I'm excited about the upcoming year and want to hear from you. If you need anything or have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Warmest regards,

Nefertiti Williams, LHAB President 2014

DONATE-A-BAG ~ Sat. Sept. 28th

Just a friendly reminder that Donate-A-Bag fundraiser is Saturday, Sept. 28th at the UT band hall. Stop by with your bag/box of gently used clothing from 10a.m. -12 p.m. A parent from Henry Middle School will be there to accept your donation behind the Bertha doors.

Please contact Henry Middle School Band Director, Robert Herrings via email Robert.Herrings@leanderisd.org with questions. Thank you for your support!

UT Club Pep Rally~ Friday, Sept. 20th

We are back at the UT Club for our next pep rally this Friday, September 20th.

We need to be there by 6:15pm so we can be ready to play at 6:30pm.

Again, for anyone who is new to the UT Club, it is located inside the stadium and the entrance is on the East side of the Stadium. Take the elevator to the 7th floor. They provide us with appetizers and drinks.

We have done this for the past several years and it is a great time. We really need a good turnout for this and ALL of the events we are asked to play for. Please contact George Moxley, Austin Area Rep, for details. 

George

utband1@aol.com

LHAB Adopt-A-School Program supports HENRY MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND

LHAB 50th Coverage from Austin360

A good write-up from Michael Barnes on the 50th anniversary is available from Austin360.com. You can check it out here: http://www.austin360.com/weblogs/out-about/2013/aug/31/longhorn-alumni-band-50th-reunion/.

We are still collecting images, videos and posts for the 2013 Live Blog to provide a social gallery of the activities over the 50th reunion weekend. Make sure to check it out at http://www.lhab.org/live and if you add Twitter or Instagram updates, include the #lhab50 hash tag.

Additionally, The Alcalde and Keye TV covered news of our invitation to the London 2015 parade. You can check out the latest on the London trip at http://www.lhab.org/london.

Longhorns in London 2015

Former Lord Mayor of the City of Westminster, Duncan Sandys, Winston Churchill’s great grandson issued the invitation at 2:15 p.m. on Saturday August 31st at Denius Field on the University Campus. If you missed the presentation after combined rehearsal visit:  http://www.keyetv.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/ut-marching-band-invited-londons-new-years-parade-12259.shtml

Participation is by invitation only with the invitation coming to the program from H. M.'s Lord Lieutenant for Greater London. A music program must be nominated to the Selection Committee by a previous participant or one of the Regional Directors of Music. One cannot "apply" and no "audition tape" need be sent. The University of Texas Longhorn Alumni Band with its many accomplishments has been recommended to The Committee by Paula Crider, a former director of Longhorn Band, and now a Professor Emeritus, in the School of Music. What an awesome opportunity!

We would like to have at least 300 Longhorn Alumni Members marching in the London's New Year's Day Parade. Personally, I'd like to break their record of 419 marchers with LHAB holding the title record. Can you think of any other Alumni Band that has the honor in playing for the Queen?

Visit www.lhab.org/london for details. If you have questions, please feel free to email me at neffy@att.net. Be sure to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to receive updates.

Hook 'Em Horns,

Nefertiti Williams
President of LHAB
neffy@att.net

Spirit Item Update from Donna Beth

It was wonderful to have a HUGE turnout for out 50th.  LHB and LHAB has been a big part of our lives and continues to be.

And - on to the Spirit Items - all orders will be filled - what you did not get on Friday night and if you did not pick them up, is in my car, will be in my house to sort out so that I can back order this week.

On Thursday last week, when I picked up the items from the shirt/cap place - I became the spirit item guru.  Only a few people do a lot of work to make Band Day work and when the attendance numbers doubled in about three days, you can only make so much work, much as we try.  The spirit item history is that we, as officers, try to predict what you will order and what sizes and look at the past (when we have had left overs!).

We have to pay up front and we use what money we have budgeted for this.  And - UT has to approve everything that might involve any kind of a logo using UT - it's a trademark thing that involves money and you know that is paramount with UT athletics, and that takes lots of time.  Fortunately, we have a very good merchandiser who can smooth things over with those folks and sometimes it can only take days instead of weeks!

On orders which go through the website - if I had no name on a card for you it may not have gone through.  There were several that were incomplete, which meant that your credit card did not go through and if you had a double order go through, let me know.  I also have one that does not have a name.  Most have emails and I will probably get in contact with you to confirm your order.

And we can still wear our LHAB shirts with pride - year after year -

Donna Beth

Thank you LHAB

Longhorn Alumni Band, you are fantastic!!! Thanks to everyone that came out to Band Day to celebrate our 50th Reunion!!! It was a pleasure and honor being able to serve as your president and will continue to help in any way I can. Seeing our members socialize, rehearse, and turning back into college kids was a joy!!! No matter the differences between all of us, we are all connected through the lifeblood that is The University of Texas Longhorn Band/Alumni Band. Whether you are 23 or 95 years of age, we are all on the same level and that is what makes these reunions so special. This year marked a special occasion, but please make it a tradition to have these sort of numbers every year because people want to see YOU! The leadership of LHAB are special people and nothing could be possible with out the hours spent by them, so THANK YOU!!!

Big thanks goes to KKY/TBS for their manpower, we couldn't have pulled this off without you!!!  Thank you to Robert Carnochan, Scott Hanna, Tony Marinello, Jerry Junkin, the TA/office staff and of course  Moton Crockett, Vincent R. DiNino, Glenn Ricther and Paula Crider for their hours given on game day and helping make LHB/LHAB the great organizations they are!!! 

Take Care & God Bless everyone, lets continue to grow our family so we can continue to change the world!!

Eddie Lopez
Past President

 

"May The Eye's of Texas Always be Upon You"