(Oct. 24, 2017) -- The Spirit of San Antonio UTSA Roadrunner Marching Band is a UTSA tradition at football games. Now in its seventh season, the band is larger than ever, with more than 300 members.
Student leaders say the group’s goal was to get more students involved in the band than ever before. One of the ways the students accomplished that was by reaching out to UTSA’s newest Roadrunners during summer orientation sessions.
Jonny Espinoza, a junior, music major and assistant drum major, said he has enjoyed watching the group’s growth since he joined three years ago.
“We reached our goal of 300 people sooner than expected, and every new member is a fantastic addition,” said Espinoza. “One of the biggest draws for SOSA is that since we are a non-auditioned ensemble, anyone who wants to join the marching band has the perfect opportunity to do so.”
Espinoza credits SOSA’s success to UTSA school pride.
“I think the high expectations for our football team have been a good contribution to the ensemble,” said Espinoza. “I love the energy SOSA brings to every game and the dynamic we share with each other. The support between the band, the team, the student section and fans is tremendous.”
Another way SOSA has been shining this season is with its creative halftime shows. This fall, SOSA paid tribute to the late Tejano superstar, Selena Quintanilla, and even did a salute to Billy Joel.
“We pick songs that get people excited and energized so they show off their UTSA spirit and cheer on our team,” said Ron Ellis, director of bands, director of athletic bands. “SOSA members are passionate about music and UTSA, and that really shows.”
While promoting UTSA traditions, SOSA provides a positive learning environment for UTSA music students.
The nationally recognized UTSA Department of Music provides training and experience for students pursuing a degree in music education, music performance, composition or music marketing.
UTSA is recognized as one of the top five young universities in the nation by Times Higher Education.
Learn more about SOSA.
Watch SOSA perform.
Learn more about UTSA Department of Music.
Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn.
UTSA Today is produced by University Communications and Marketing, the official news source of The University of Texas at San Antonio. Send your feedback to news@utsa.edu. Keep up-to-date on UTSA news by visiting UTSA Today. Connect with UTSA online at Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Instagram.
This event will acknowledge graduating seniors from the McNair Scholars program at UTSA before inducting the new cohort of scholars into the program.
North Paseo Building (NPB 5.140), Main CampusAt this memorable celebration, UTSA graduates will be introduced one-by-one to cross the stage and accept their doctoral degrees.
Arts Building Recital Hall, Main CampusRoadrunner Walk is an event for graduating students to have a memorable walk on campus to celebrate an important milestone and their achievements. Graduates will walk along the Paseo while being celebrated by the UTSA community, friends, and family members.
Student Union Paseo, Main CampusCelebrate the accomplishments of College of Education and Human Development, College for Health, Community and Policy, College of Sciences and University College.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.Celebrate the accomplishments of Alvarez College of Business, College of Liberal and Fine Arts and Klesse College of Engineering and Integrated Design.
Alamodome, 100 Montana St.The University of Texas at San Antonio is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge through research and discovery, teaching and learning, community engagement and public service. As an institution of access and excellence, UTSA embraces multicultural traditions and serves as a center for intellectual and creative resources as well as a catalyst for socioeconomic development and the commercialization of intellectual property - for Texas, the nation and the world.
To be a premier public research university, providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment.
We encourage an environment of dialogue and discovery, where integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, respect, collaboration and innovation are fostered.
UTSA is a proud Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) as designated by the U.S. Department of Education .
The University of Texas at San Antonio, a Hispanic Serving Institution situated in a global city that has been a crossroads of peoples and cultures for centuries, values diversity and inclusion in all aspects of university life. As an institution expressly founded to advance the education of Mexican Americans and other underserved communities, our university is committed to promoting access for all. UTSA, a premier public research university, fosters academic excellence through a community of dialogue, discovery and innovation that embraces the uniqueness of each voice.
