Scholarship Fund Brings Music to Life

In 1964, 67 passionate former members of the Longhorn Band (LHB) organized the Longhorn Alumni Band (LHAB) to support the Showband of the Southwest and its legacy. During their early meetings, the group passed a hat to create an informal scholarship fund. By the '80s, the group wanted to develop a more sustainable plan, including permanent funding for scholarships, so in 1988 they created The Longhorn Alumni Band Charitable Fund. This 501(c)(3) corporation allowed them to offer different levels of recognition and tax deductions to contributors.

Alan W. Ford, BBA '72, and J.P. Kirksey, BBA '65, helped form the Charitable Fund; Alan provided technical assistance and J.P. served in leadership positions. Their friendship, which spans more than six decades, began while they were band members in the late '60s. J.P. came from a small West Texas town and Alan grew up in Austin, but both found a sense of place at UT.

"The Longhorn Band is a great camaraderie organization," says Alan. "It teaches kids to perform their personal best while working as part of a team."