LHAB Blast: April 2026

Happy April! It’s a busy time for us as the school year wraps up and planning gets underway for this year’s Band Day on October 31, 2026, vs Mississippi State! Read on for updates and announcements for the month of April.

The Friday Night Tailgate (FNT) may be one of LHAB’s newer traditions, but two successful years in, it’s already a Band Day weekend staple, and it takes a great team to keep it that way. We’re looking for volunteers to join the FNT Committee and help plan and execute this year’s event on October 30th. We’re also looking for someone to serve as Co-Chair this year. It’s a great way to learn the ropes alongside our current chair and be ready to lead the event in the future.

Held at the music building the evening before Band Day, the FNT sets the tone for the whole weekend — food, drinks, entertainment, and a chance for our members to come together before the big day.

What the FNT Committee does:

🎪 Secures and coordinates venue setup (tables, chairs, supplies for registration, vendors, and merch)

🍻 Organizes vendors for food, beer, wine, and other beverages

🎶 Arranges entertainment, activities, and AV needs

🙋 Recruits and manages event volunteers

💰 Explores sponsorship opportunities

This is a great opportunity for any member who wants to get more involved with LHAB in a hands-on, rewarding role. Whether you’re a recent grad looking for a way to plug in, or a longtime member who’s been waiting for the right opportunity, we’d love to have you. It’s also a natural stepping stone for anyone who might be interested in taking on a larger leadership role in the organization down the road.

If you’re interested, please reach out to Chris Albino, Immediate Past President and Nominating Committee Chair at chrisralbino.

LHAB,

For many of us, the Longhorn Band was a defining part of our time on the Forty Acres. As part of our continuing efforts to support the students carrying that tradition forward, the LHAB Charitable Fund (LHABCF) is raising scholarship dollars for the Back the Band campaign.

UT’s “40 for Forty” fundraising event runs April 29–30, and donating to the LHABCF before or by April 27 gives our Board of Trustees time to plan for the chance to participate in matching donation challenges throughout both days — multiplying the impact of every gift.

How to give:

• Individually — any amount helps.

• As a group — section members, pledge classes, and other groups can pool contributions for a collective gift. The Trombone freshman class of 1978, for example, recently made a group donation. Reach out to your friends to start planning a group donation!

Visit jopeters1970) with your name, donation date, and amount so your gift is credited to the right group.

Block T Donor Wall: Donors contributing $2,500 or more – individually or as a group, lump-sum or spread over up to 5 years – are eligible for a personalized tile on the future Block T donor wall in the Music Building. Learn more at giving.utexas.edu/backtheband/block-t-donor-wall/

Thank you for your continued support of the Longhorn Band. Hook ‘em!

All TBS Alumni, please save the date for this year’s Alumni Brunch on November 1, 2026 (the Sunday after Band Day)!