LHAB Blast: February 2022 (New Membership Levels!)

This Blast contains several items for your consideration.

Are you planning to participate in the March 21, 2022, 3rd Annual Horns Up Golf Classic?
Remember to register your participation from the LHAB website. We need 20 four (4) person
teams, along with sponsors. Please review the sponsor information.
AmazonSmiles on LHAB at no cost to you. See how you can support scholarships.
We need grant application writers. Yes, we do. We need grant application writers. How
about you?!
It’s time to dust off your instrument and your music so we’re prepared for playing
engagements.
LHAB announced auto-renewing membership which begins 7/1/22.
LHAB introduced the concept of membership levels in 2021 and is providing additional details so you may adjust your desired membership level. Please consider increasing your LHAB membership level in support of LHB, and LHAB activities.

Horns Up Golf Classic

The University of Texas Longhorn Alumni Band is hosting its 3rd Annual “Horns Up Golf Classic” at the beautiful UT Golf Club at Steiner Ranch in Austin, Texas. Join us for an incredible day of golf and meet the directors of the Longhorn Band and other UT dignitaries. All profits from the tournament go directly to support scholarships for Longhorn Band students.

LHAB_Golf_Sponsor_Flyer.pdf Download

Learn more and register here.

What takes 30 seconds and benefits LHB Scholarships?

At no cost to you, Amazon will contribute 0.5% of your Amazon purchases to scholarships for LHB students. Signing up is free and only takes 30 seconds.

Follow the quick directions here to get signed up.

If you have any questions, email LHABSmile@gmail.com.

Thank you and Hook ‘em!
Cathy Sorsby and the fabulous AmazonSmile Committee

We Need Grant Application Writers

As you’re aware, LHAB’s primary support of LHB is through our work to provide scholarships to students in LHB. We hope to expand our work by applying for funds available through various foundations, grant programs, and charitable organizations that support the type of work we do. But we need help.

There is no cost to you, except your time. If you would like to assist with writing grants, please email randalljstorm@yahoo.com. Experience is not required, although if you have experience with grant applications or working with community foundations, we would love your help. We are developing a list of potential grantors, foundations, and non-profits which LHAB may approach to solicit support for our scholarship efforts. We need more folks to assist with completing the applications and expanding the sources of funds for LHB scholarships.

We look forward to hearing from you and moving forward with this important endeavor.

It’s Time to Practice Your Music

We do not yet know the date for Band Day 2022 but envision a return to a more normal Band Day.

With a ‘more normal’ Band Day comes the expectation for playing, and marching. Many of us have been a little sedentary during the past few years. Many of us have not touched our musical instrument since Normandy in 2019, and perhaps further back than that.

During Band Day 2021, we had a playing rehearsal, and were reminded there is music more current LHB alumni have played which not all alumni have played. Now is your chance to begin the several months of preparation for Band Day 2022, and the music to have ready to play. We’ll suggest music to review each month from the comfort of your home, so you’re prepared for Band Day 2022.

First, we’ll address the traditional items used at performances throughout the year. Before the next monthly Blast, please complete the following tasks.

Locate your instrument.
Prepare your instrument for use, oil, re-pad, clean, etc.
Download music from the LHAB website and play through.

The Eyes of Texas
Texas Fight
March of the Longhorns
March Grandioso
Wabash Cannonball

Here is the link to LHAB music.

Recurring LHAB Membership

Great news. As indicated in September 2021, LHAB has instituted recurring membership dues which will achieve a few things:

Better fund LHAB activities,
Align LHAB dues payments with the LHAB fiscal year, and
Provide additional member benefits to those who select them.

LHAB member dues cover things like:

Administrative costs, such as tax return preparation
Costs associated with archives
Web hosting
Liability insurance
Longhorn Band functions
Office supplies
Officer meeting expenses
Postage
Storage unit rental
LHAB’s membership in the National Association of Alumni Bands, etc

The Problem We’re Trying to Solve: Historically, LHAB has collected annual member dues while registering for Band Day. The problem is that typically only those who attend Band Day pay member dues for that year. Yet, regardless of when you last paid annual dues, we continue sending email Blasts and providing full access to our website, online directory, and music. In addition, membership dues do not cover any expenses related to Band Day. It’s time to separate member dues from Band Day fees.

How Will This Work: When registering for Band Day 2021, you paid your $25 annual membership dues and were able to enroll in the recurring membership program. Members in their first or second year out of LHB were not charged for Band Day 2021. Annual dues payment is optional for Legacy Members (age 70 or older). LHAB uses AffiniPay to collect all member dues and Band Day fees. LHAB will never and has never saved your credit card information. We have been using this third-party service for many years. Members will be given the option to opt out of an automatic dues payment.

When Will This Start: This is just a reminder. For those who registered for Band Day 2021, no action is required. For those unable to participate in Band Day 2021 you’ll be invited to register and join the recurring membership.

An automatic dues payment will be drafted yearly on July 1, beginning in 2022. There is a separate article within this Blast introducing you to the various LHAB membership levels with increasing member benefits for you to choose from and details about the membership levels, associated benefits, and costs.

LHAB Membership Levels

More great news. In addition to the recurring membership levels introduced last year. You now have the option to choose at which Membership Level you would like to participate. Below are the various Membership Levels along with the Benefits of continuing at the level.

The Membership Level selected will be retained each year going forward. You will always have the option to change your level. When renewing in 2022 you’ll initially be assigned the level with which you registered during 2021. You will be able to update your membership level, and receive the benefits listed.