The Huffington Post has once again recognized their favorites, when it comes to college marching bands. For the school years of 2011 and 2012, two Texas universities made the list, the University of Texas Longhorn Band and the Texas A&M Aggie Band.
The Showband of the Southwest or the Longhorn Band has a long standing tradition of performing at all in-state football games and many other sporting events. The look is unmistakable from any other, bright orange uniforms with white tassels and cowboy hats. The band consists of 350 playing members for traditional sporting events, but can have as many as 700 participating students in a wide variety of ensembles. In addition to sporting events, the band venue consists of parades, symphonies, pep rallies and jazz ensembles.
The most well know aspect of the LHB is Big Bertha, a 500 lb. drum that stands over 10 feet tall on its cart. A four man crew, known as drum wranglers, can be scene playing and moving Bertha around the stadium when the Longhorns score. They also take Bertha for a “spin” during half time shows where wranglers actually spin the drum on its wheels as fast as they can. Wranglers are often thrown from the drum during this display, to the spectators delight.
The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band proudly shows their military traditions. The 400 person band is the largest military marching band in the world and has a history of more than 100 years. The Corps of Cadets band is known for having very intricate and complicated marching formations which are incredible to watch. The band is one of the most demanding on its members, often performing at both home and away games. Marching routines are changed on a weekly basis and never repeated. The cadets wear a khaki uniform with berets and white belts, while seniors can be spotted by their traditional leather cavalry riding boots.