AUSTIN, Texas—The School of Music in the College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin presents Band-O-Rama, an annual concert event and Austin tradition featuring the University of Texas Longhorn Marching Band, known as the “Showband of the Southwest.”
The program will also feature the university’s Drumline, Colorguard, the Texas Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble, and the Longhorn Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble. The Band-O-Rama performance will end with a mass-band finale featuring all the of the university’s traditional favorites.
The concert will be at 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 1 at the Frank C. Erwin Center. Admission is free, but tickets must be picked up in advance at the Frank C. Erwin Jr. Center Box Office or the university’s Performing Arts Center Box Office in Bass Concert Hall. Reserved seating is on a first come, first served basis. Because this is a free event, no tickets will be available by phone.
The concert and jazz bands will perform standard concert works. The Longhorn Band will perform traditional favorites and will preview two selections from this fall’s halftime show lineup. Conductors include Robert M. Carnochan, director of the Longhorn Band; Scott S. Hanna, associate director of the Longhorn Band; John M. Watkins Jr., assistant director of the Longhorn Band; and guest conductors G. Scott Bersaglia, Benjamin Finley, Kyle Prescott, Mary Schneider and John VanderGheynst.
The Longhorn Band, founded in 1900 by Professor of Chemistry E.P. Schoch, was originally composed of 16 students. Spending only $150 at Jackson’s Pawn Shop for instruments, Schoch began what is now known as “The Showband of the Southwest.”
The Longhorn Band has made many distinguished appearances in its 104 years of existence. Some of these include the inaugural parades of President John F. Kennedyand President George W. Bush, an appearance at the Chicago World’s Fair,and appearances in Washington, D.C., and Madison Square Garden in New York City.In addition, the Longhorn Band also performed for President Franklin D. Rooseveltat the White House. On the campus of The University of Texas at Austin, LonghornBand members serve as ambassadors of the university at President’s parties,commencement ceremonies, pep rallies, parades and athletic events.
For more information contact: Bruno Longarini, College of Fine Arts, 512-475-7021, or Carolyn Williams, Longhorn Band, 512-471-4471.
