AGGIELAND ORCHESTRA COMING TO THE BARNHILL CENTER

  

The Aggieland Orchestra, Big Band Era will help honor the 100th birthday of The Barnhill Center at Historic Simon Theatre (TBC) in Brenham. The concert will take place at 7pm on Saturday March 29th.

Under the direction of Dr. Russell Tipton, Texas A&M’s Senior Associate Director of Bands, the Aggieland Orchestra will bring back the sounds of Tommy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, and others like them. This timeless music was prevalent in movies and live stage shows at Brenham’s historic Simon Theatre during its early decades of operation.

“During our ‘Century of Simon’ year, it is only fitting that the Aggies are a part of our celebration,” said Sharon Brass, TBC producer. “Both entities are historically important to Brenham’s culture, and we have many Aggie Alumni in our community.”

The Aggieland Orchestra is made up of students in the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band that is part of most A&M sports events. They perform, as the special Big Band Era group, mostly in the spring of each year when the Aggie Band schedule allows.

These students get no academic credit for their time in the Big Band Era band, but they do get the pleasure of performing in a fun, relaxed atmosphere. It is this attitude and love for the music that shines through during a performance, making the group an instant hit with any audience.

They are regulars at various venues in Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, The Woodlands, Corpus Christi, and other Texas cities. Of course, they also play one or more engagement each year in College Station. Their A&M performances include alumni reunions, Mothers Club dances and Parents Weekend concerts.

The Aggieland Orchestra constantly expands its repertoire by researching and purchasing additional authentic music charts from the Big Band Era. Part of the group’s mission is to perpetuate the music from this period in America’s and Texas A&M’s history. 

Last spring, the Aggieland Orchestra recorded their second CD album featuring the biggest hits from the Big Band Era. Included on this album is the Aggieland Orchestra’s most famous song, “I’d Rather Be a Texas Aggie”, by Jack Littlejohn.

The song honors the Aggieland Big Bands of the past. It was first premiered in the 1940’s hit movie, “We’ve Never Been Licked”, starring Robert Mitchum. In the movie, the song was performed by the actual Aggieland Orchestra.

Since 1923, Texas A&M band students have kept alive that Big Band beat. They were first known as the “Aggieland Six Orchestra” with different instruments than they use today. The original musicians were expected to play multiple instruments during a performance including piano, clarinet, cornet, trombone, bass, drums and banjo.

During their early years, the group won recognition by touring a popular Christmas show of Big Band music. In 1926, A&M honored them by naming them the official orchestra for Corps of Cadets functions.

As far back as the 1930’s the Aggieland Orchestra played for military balls, class reunions, and wedding receptions – both on and off the campus. The A&M Student Activities Office requested them to perform at an annual Bonfire Ball in Sbisa Dining Center. During this time the group was under the direction of Jack Littlejohn, the author of “I’d Rather Be a Texas Aggie”.

During the 1940’s, 50’s, and 60’s, the Aggieland Orchestra operated as a separate group from the famous Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band. During those decades they performed under the direction of Mr. Bill Turner and Mr. Robert Boone.

In 1972, Major Joe T. Haney, Associate Director for the Aggie Band, reorganized the Aggieland Orchestra. He also formed the Dukes of Aggieland, a smaller group consisting of Aggieland Orchestra members. He placed both groups under his direction and supervision. The groups flourished under Haney’s leadership, once again delighting audiences with music of the Big Band Era.

The Aggieland Orchestra made its first recording in 1984 entitled “Sounds of the Big Bands”. It was an instant hit with Aggies and non-Aggies alike.

In 1986, Haney appointed his Assistant Director, Captain Jay O. Brewer, to take over the Aggieland Orchestra and supervise the Dukes of Aggieland. Since that time, the group has thrived, keeping alive that Big Band sound.          

As a world-class institution, Texas A&M continues to expand. The Aggieland Orchestra remains an important tie to the University’s historic past, a tribute to the Big Band Era in remembering “The Way It Was”.

For show details, tickets, volunteer and sponsor opportunities: www.theBarnhillCenter.com/events.

Tickets and Season Tickets can also be purchased by calling or visiting TBC Box Office in the Visitor Center, 111 W Main Street in Brenham. 979-337-7240.