The eyes of Texas are once again on The Eyes of Texas
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The Longhorn Band of the University of Texas at Austin performed during the opening of the 2017 Academy Sports + Outdoors Texas Bowl game at NRG Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, in Houston.Yi-Chin Lee, Houston Chronicle / Houston ChronicleShow MoreShow Less
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FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2012 file photo, students walk through the University of Texas at Austin campus near the school s iconic tower in Austin, Texas.Eric Gay, STF / Associated PressShow MoreShow Less
Grappling with painful truths about our state’s history and how those truths persist or reverberate today can be unpleasant, divisive and difficult.
When the report was released, Hartzell said no one would be required to participate in the song, which has long been a popular fixture at campus events, most notably at football games and other sports events.
The announcement posted Wednesday on the school of music s web page said the traditional Longhorn Band and pep band will be required to perform a repertoire of songs that include The Eyes of Texas. Both the marching band and pep band earn academic credits toward graduation.
The school is also creating a to be named university band for students for fall 2022 that will not play the alma mater or school fight song. That band will also earn academic credit, but the school did not say where or when it will perform. It will be designed with a focus on leading/directing bands and community engagement, the school said.
After weeks of uncertainty over whether members of the University of Texas Longhorn Band would be required to play the school s controversial alma mater, The Eyes of Texas, student musicians have an answer.
Despite previous messaging that no student would be forced to sing or play the song, the school announced Wednesday that Longhorn Band members will be required to play it.
Additionally, the school said that for students who do not want to play The Eyes of Texas, a new band will be formed in 2022. This separate band will not include the alma mater as required repertoire.
The song has been a key point of contention between students, alumni and administrators. At the beginning of March, a 24-person committee commissioned by UT President Jay Hartzell found the song to have racist origins but no racist intent.
UT s Longhorn Band members will be required to play Eyes of Texas or can join new, separate band Sabrina LeBoeuf, Austin American-Statesman
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After weeks of uncertainty over whether members of the University of Texas Longhorn Band would be required to play the school s controversial alma mater, The Eyes of Texas, student musicians have an answer.
Despite previous messaging that no student would be forced to sing or play the song, the school announced Wednesday that Longhorn Band members will be required to play it.
Additionally, the school said that for students who do not want to play The Eyes of Texas, a new band will be formed in 2022. This separate band will not include the alma mater as required repertoire.