TAKING THE LEAD: UH BAND TO DEBUT AT
FOREFRONT OF HLS&R PARADE
Cougar Band to Lead Historic Houston Parade for the First Time
HOUSTON, Feb. 21, 2005 – When the Houston Livestock Show
and Rodeo (HLS&R) Parade starts to roll through downtown Saturday,
Feb. 26, the procession will march to the beat of a different drum…and
the sounds of a different tuba, trumpet and saxophone.
For the first time in its history, the University of Houston Spirit
of Houston Cougar Marching Band is the HLS&R Parade’s
lead-off band.
It was recently added to the rotation of bands for this prestigious
spot. From now on, the Cougar Band will be the leading band in the
parade every third year. The two other bands included in this lead-off
rotation are from the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M
University.
“Considering the university’s ties with the city and
the numerous alumni who will be watching the parade, this will be
a very special moment,” said David Bertman, director of the
Spirit of Houston. “We’ll have a few surprises and a
few musical twists to put our stamp on this important event for
the university.”
The band’s new role in the parade reflects the university’s
strong relationship with HLS&R. Since the 1980s, more than 700
UH students have received HLS&R scholarships totaling more than
$5 million, according to the HLS&R’s education program
coordinator. Student scholarships have also been provided through
HLS&R endowments to UH’s College of Natural Sciences and
Mathematics and the Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management.
On Wednesday, March 2, HLS&R will host the annual UH Night at
the Rodeo, which will feature UH System regents and university administrators
participating in an evening parade in Reliant Stadium.
“You might not immediately associate the rodeo and the livestock
show with the University of Houston, but we’ve really been
dedicated supporters of each other for many years, ” said
Spencer Yantis, interim vice president for university advancement
at UH. “HLS&R’s commitment to education is a perfect
match for UH’s role as a top public university. These scholarships
have enabled many promising students to pursue their academic goals
at our university and more will undoubtedly benefit from the university’s
strong connections with HLS&R.”
The Cougar band has entertained fans across the country with its
exciting football game halftime shows and parade appearances. In
January 2004, the Spirit of Houston performed in front of 70,000
fans and on national television as part of the Super Bowl XXXVIII
halftime show in Reliant Stadium.
“This band has risen to new heights during the past five
years and its increased success led to the wonderful invitation
to lead the 2005 HLS&R parade,” said David Ashley White,
director of the Moores School of Music. “This is the first
time in the parade's history that the UH band has been given this
great honor, and it certainly marks an important new chapter in
the band's history.”
The band will follow the U.S. Marines Color Guard, the parade’s
grand marshal and the official HLS&R wagon. Following the Cougar
band will be UH President Jay Gogue’s wagon and the UH alumni
wagon.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston, Texas’ premier metropolitan research
and teaching institution, is home to more than 40 research centers
and institutes and sponsors more than 300 partnerships with corporate,
civic and governmental entities. UH, the most diverse research university
in the country, stands at the forefront of education, research and
service with more than 35,000 students.
For more information about UH visit
the universitys Newsroom at www.uh.edu/admin/media/newsroom.
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