University of Texas Longhorn band won't play "Eyes of Texas" this weekend after some members say

[TexasTowelie]

University of Texas Longhorn band won't play "Eyes of Texas" this weekend after some members say they're unwilling


The Longhorn Band will not play “The Eyes of Texas” at this Saturday’s football game between the University of Texas at Austin and Baylor University after a survey of members revealed several students are unwilling to play the traditional alma mater song, according to The Daily Texan.

The survey was sent to band members asking if they would be willing to play “The Eyes,” a song that has divided the university community in recent months over its ties to minstrel shows where performers wore blackface. The Daily Texan reported that a message sent to band members by leader Scott Hanna said the survey results wouldn’t affect whether the band performs at future games. The band has yet to play at a football game this season, due to safety restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Band members are “evenly divided” over playing the song, the student newspaper reported, but responses from certain instrument sections would prevent the band from playing this week. The message from Hanna said many band members wanted to have further discussions about the song, which he said he would facilitate.

A spokesperson said in a statement that the university will continue to work with band members to maintain the musical traditions of UT, including "The Eyes of Texas," but given the long-standing traditions and the mission of the spirit band, this disagreement needs to be resolved before the band resumes public performance.

Read more: https://theeagle.com/news/state-and-regional/university-of-texas-longhorn-band-wont-play-eyes-of-texas-this-weekend-after-some-members/article_de4074f2-f7bd-5d82-9610-eebd32ee2808.html
(Bryan-College Station Eagle)

[VarryOn]

1. Nothwithstanding its dubious beginnings, 'Texas Fight' is one of college football's...

most recognizable fight songs. While I grew up hating UT, I quite frequently caught myself humming the quite catchy tune.

UT should keep it. Anything the University has done with the song by making it a celebratory song recognized by all, far eclipses anything that vaudville tried to do with the song...even if those efforts were for a cause we would find reprehinsible today.

Keep it, while appreciating the University saved a tune from less nobler uses.

[abqtommy]

2. Well said.

[Paladin]

3. I hate to see the band painting a target on their backs.

The big-money UT alumni are already mobilized on this matter; they'll come after the band and play dirty. Very dirty.

Keep in mind that during my years at UT, the only thing whiter than the band was the football team. And there were other things to protest about, back then: You see, there was this stupid fucking war in Southeast Asia.....