From November 21-26, 2019,  the Dwight Morrow Marching Band represented the Texas Longhorns and New Mexico Lobos basketball teams for the Empire and Roman Legends Classic tournaments. These tournaments took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City and Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn and were televised.

“It’s a special moment when a student can play at these two major venues and be on ESPN for four nights,” DMAE band director Gary Hollander said.

The band was given three songs to play during the game: Texas Fight Song, The Eye of Texas, and the New Mexico Fight Song. The band played these songs as the teams were entering or leaving the court. During time-outs and halftime, the band performed songs they normally play, which are primarily Historical Black Colleges and University (HBCU) based.

“It was different from what we usually play, and it was challenging for me, which was super exciting,” freshman Emely Vargas explained.

The band also interacted with the crowd. Students were selected to do t-shirt-tosses to the crowd during time-outs. Band members also were able to meet well-known basketball players such as Kevin Durant and Jarrett Allen.

“It was an opportunity not many other bands could have and I’m truly grateful for the experience,” junior Sienna Tu said.

Earlier in the year, the band also performed at the Prudential Center during the Devils Game. The band has already been invited to play at the Empire Classic again next year.

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