Band director Scott Hanna provided an open-ended prompt to gauge members’ feelings of the song in June, according to an email Doug Dempster, dean of the college of fine arts, sent Hartzell. At the time, Hartzell said the band was never expected to play the song live at the football game due to COVID-19 precautions.īut emails show UT-Austin administrators had started to assess the band member’s temperature about the controversy in mid-June.
Before the football game against Baylor University in October, the band said it would not perform the alma mater because a survey revealed they did not have “necessary instrumentation” to play the song. That entity’s report, which was released last month, found the song was not “overtly racist,” but did premiere at a minstrel show where students likely wore blackface and performed skits that perpetuated racist stereotypes of Black people.īand members had previously refused to play the song at events due to its history and origins. Last July, President Hartzell said the song would remain, but the university would organize a taskforce to study its history.
Black students and athletes called on the school to stop playing the song, citing that it originally debuted at a campus minstrel show where performers likely wore blackface. Seniors who wish to opt out of the Longhorn Band next fall before the new university band has started will still receive their merit scholarship.Īccording to the release, which was first reported by The Daily Texan, the new approach was born out of ongoing financial issues and concerns with “The Eyes of Texas,” which ramped up in earnest last June in the wake of the death of George Floyd, a Black man murdered by a white Minneapolis police officer. Section leaders in all bands will receive a minimum $2,500 scholarship. “Our multi-million-dollar commitment over the next five years will support the Longhorn Band in restoring - and even going beyond - its former glory, while also providing strong support for our entire portfolio of university bands.”īoth students in the Longhorn Band and the newly created university band will receive $1,000 scholarships on top of merit scholarships that will continue to be awarded. The main Festival will take place at Sahara’s neighboring pastoral field in the shadow of a Church whose leader fiercely defends a spirit of tolerance and love.įor tickets and more info visit need to celebrate and nurture what makes UT special, and the Longhorn Band is one of those great organizations that shape our campus culture, elevate school spirit and provide amazing opportunities for our students,” UT-Austin President Jay Hartzell said in the release, which also stated that Hartzell approved the plan. The lineup includes some of the best local band as well as a variety of touring acts. In honor of this, several bands, performers, and artists will come together to create a diverse and immersive festival experience. Traditionally Saturnalia was celebrated with public banquets, private gift giving, continual partying and a general carnival atmosphere during which social norms were upended gambling was permitted and masters provided table service for their servants.
#Saturnalia austin full
Austin, Texas venues Sahara Lounge & The Electric Church have joined forces at the closing of a year full of political and social upheaval to bring love & light. Saturnalia is an ancient Roman festival in honor of Saturn and celebration of the coming winter.
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