When the halftime cannon blows at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, one team leaves as another makes a grand entrance on the turf field. No matter the weather, from the beaming summer heat to the breezy autumn winds, about 400 band members march out in unison wearing their iconic burnt orange uniforms with a touch of fringe, topped off by their cowboy hats.
The Longhorn Band is widely recognized for the pride and energy it instills into the UT community, whether playing at football games or in appearances at campus and public events. The band is now in its historic 125th anniversary year while also playing for Texas Athletics’ inaugural Southeastern Conference season. With several Longhorn Band alumni and Texas Exes at the helm, there is a focus on ensuring that all its members find ways to grow in and outside the band.
“I really like college-aged students because they’re young adults, and we can go at a faster pace than teaching high school,” director Clifton Croomes says. “We’re teaching more about group dynamics and how to integrate the culture with musical talent. Teaching tools for living is what excites me about teaching college students.”
Croomes played in the band as a student at UT and returned to Austin in 2021 after spending years as a musician overseas and as an assistant director of bands at Louisiana State University. He is also the first Black director in the band’s history.
“When I was in the band in the ‘90s, there was some diversity, but I don’t think it was ever really discussed,” he says.
Croomes is also finding ways to teach students how to balance their academics and membership in the band. With two-hour practices three days a week, 12-hour days for home games and potential travel for away games, the band becomes a major time commitment. Croomes uses mindfulness techniques to help stressed students, reminding them that they need to be in the present and that they cannot do anything about their problems until their rehearsal is done.
“I’m a big believer in meditation, and we’ll have what’s called Meditation Mondays,” Croomes says. “That’s really allowed them to slow things down and deal with life stress and school stress.”
Marc Sosnowchik, an assistant director of bands and Texas Ex who earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at UT, is among the band faculty and staff members who have created a welcoming environment that allows members to be comfortable talking to their directors.
Sosnowchik is also one of the directors of the Longhorn Pep Band, which performs at volleyball and basketball home games. Members play in both fall and spring semesters, while the Longhorn Band members join concert bands, different ensembles, or participate in an indoor color guard class in spring.
The Pep Band has about 130 members, 70% of whom also participate in the Longhorn Band. The two bands have different practice schedules, and though they perform similar songs, the Pep Band includes a wider range of music because of the different environment of indoor sports.
Sosnowchik’s time working with students who participate in both bands has taught him how to help them to the best of his abilities.
“As I’ve gotten older and as I’ve taught for longer, I found that the best first thing to do with a student is to listen to what they have to say and actually hear them,” he says. “Step one has become to provide a space where they feel comfortable expressing something to you without any fear of judgment. You can’t really help them unless they’re comfortable communicating with you what their needs are.”
Croomes compares the band to a city where each instrument group is its own neighborhood. When they are not marching, he says, they are all one big family. In addition to teaching music, band gives students the chance to better their overall social skills.
“A lot of it has to deal with socialization. Sometimes I’ll say, ‘I want you to find somebody in the room that you’ve never met and just have a conversation,’” he says. “It gets them out of the bubble of being anxious to meet new people. When they leave (the band), hopefully, they’re going to be able to approach people, and that’s a learned skill that a lot of people are very nervous to do.”
Croomes and Sosnowchik were both mentored by Jerry Junkin, the current director of bands. Junkin played a role in hiring them both and bringing them back to the Forty Acres.
“I feel right now that the program is better than it ever has been. There’s been continued growth. That’s one of the greatest things that Cliff, Marc, (the rest of the staff), and I play a huge role in. It’s a team effort,” Junkin says. “I also look forward to the next few years because I think it’s only going to get better and better and better, and it’s exciting. This is a special place, and you get to do special things here with special people.”
Croomes’ first batch of freshmen since he became director will be graduating at the end of the school year. It may bring emotional moments to see another group of seniors go, but Croomes is hopeful that he has prepared his students to tackle their next chapter.
“You see them come in, and four years will go by like that,” he says. “Seeing them going to the next stage of life and really being happy is the best part for me.”
