Austin Oriental Band

Austin Oriental Band

The Austin Oriental Band became an official Unit of Osman Shrine in 1955. The Unit was sponsored by the Austin Area Shrine Club. The Band was the first out of city Unit of Osman Shrine.

As an organization, the Unit seeks to help local institutions and needy charities such as the project for mentally retarded children in addition to their generous support of the Shriners Hospital for Children. The Oriental Band is probably one of the most colorful Units in the uniformed bodies. Extremely different and individual are the flowing bright colored satin capes and pantaloons, topped off with bearded faces. Professionally applied make-up changes the appearance of the Unit member to a point where you are not recognized, even by people who know you. The Band is a fun group and you don’t have to be a professional musician to play in the Oriental Band. The tom-tom or percussion end of the band has only two rhythmic beats easily learned, cymbals and bass the same, and musette horn has just seven finger notes and is easily mastered.