Sad news for Texas Longhorns:He will not return due to..

The Daily Texan revealed on Wednesday that band members had replied to an internal poll about whether or not they would perform the now-contentious school song.Members were informed by band director Scott Hanna that the group would not be playing in Saturday’s game because they lacked the “necessary instrumentation.”

Hanna wrote to band members that there is “fairly evenly divided in opinion” within the band, according to the school newspaper. “Resolution requires patience and consistent work. The discussions that have begun are a significant step in the right direction.

High-ranking administrators were taken aback by the news of an internal survey, two people with knowledge of the matter told the American-Statesman on Wednesday. The individuals asked to remain anonymous since they lacked the right to discuss the matter in public.The administration believed that a decision had already been made on the matter.

A university representative told the Statesman, “We are continuing to work with students in the Longhorn Band to maintain the musical traditions of the University of Texas, including ‘The Eyes of Texas.'”

Douglas Dempster, the dean of the College of Fine Arts, sent a letter to the university in late September stating that COVID-19 prevented the band from performing during the TCU game. Anything beyond that was unknown.

But before the band can carry on with its public performances, Dempster wrote, “we clearly also need to have more reasoned and informed discussion about the ‘Eyes of Texas’.”

The university was desperately trying to avoid another round of negative headlines when word leaked out about an internal survey regarding “The Eyes.” A massive public relations disaster that was initially believed to be contained to the athletic department is now affecting other areas of campus.

The century-old school song’s early 1900s beginnings have become a contentious issue. Over the years, there have been a few brief attempts to have the song altered; however, as social justice issues gained prominence this summer, a serious campaign to change it began.

“The Eyes of Texas” will continue to be the school song moving forward, according to New Texas President Jay Hartzell, who first addressed this matter in his capacity as interim president.

Donor unrest is threatening athletic director Chris Del Conte because football players have abandoned the field during home game postgame singing of “The Eyes.” Tom Herman, the football coach, stated on Monday that although staying was not required, he had urged players to do so.