What to expect from Aggie Muster

Each year, on or near April 21, thousands of Texas Aggies gather at more than 200 locations all over the world.

And every year, some families, friends and new Aggies will be experiencing Aggie Muster for the first time.

Read on for details that can help them prepare for these events:

• The campus Muster attended by some 12,000 Aggies.
• The Worldwide Muster Roll Call of over 1,400 names, conducted via online livestream.
• Over 200 Musters worldwide where you can hold a candle for your loved one or friend and share camaraderie with fellow Aggies.

The essentials of Aggie Muster

Texas Aggies have been gathering on April 21 (San Jacinto Day) for more than a century, and no other university has a tradition quite like it.

Nearly all Aggie Musters include a ceremony of reading aloud the names of Aggies from the local community who passed away in the previous year, with a candle lighted for each name. Friends, classmates and family answer “Here,” signifying that the Aggie is still present in our hearts.

Aggie Muster is also held to bring Aggies together in camaraderie. Nearly all Musters include a meal or other opportunity to talk and meet fellow Aggies.

Campus Muster

The largest Muster is held by Aggie students on the evening of April 21 in Texas A&M’s basketball arena. Thousands attend; entry is free, and attire is somewhat formal, with darker colors such as maroon, black and gray encouraged.

More than 100 names are typically read at this Muster, mainly those of students and faculty, students’ Aggie relatives and a few other special categories. Read below to learn where other names can be called.

The two-hour campus Muster event includes Aggie songs, speeches, the candle ceremony and a salute with 21 rifles.

Families of the honorees select one person to hold a candle and one guest to sit with them; the rest of the family will be assigned seats nearby. Families are assigned a student host when they arrive at the arena on April 21; beforehand, they have the opportunity to lend photos and memorabilia for the Reflections Display set up the week preceding Muster in the Memorial Student Center.

A Camaraderie Barbecue held on campus fulfills the social aspect of Aggie Muster.

How to request that a name be added to the campus Muster roll: Review the information on the tx.ag/Criteria page, which has a form to submit names for consideration. Send the information as early as you can; for 2024, the campus Muster roll will be finalized April 18, but that would leave families little time to make or change plans before Muster Day.

Worldwide Muster Roll Call

At 6:51 a.m. April 21, The Association of Former Students begins a reading of all known names of Aggies who have passed away since the previous Muster – usually more than 1,400 names – and answers “Here” for each.

Because this list is based on reports sent to The Association, all Aggies’ help is sincerely requested to ensure it is as complete as possible.

The reading is streamed online at MusterLive.AggieNetwork.com. It lasts more than two hours and is replayable after it ends. The website allows visitors to upload photos and say a virtual “Here” for the Aggies being honored.

How to request that a name be added to the Worldwide Muster Roll: Check the list at AggieNetwork.com/Muster/RollCall and send additions to AddAName@AggieNetwork.com before mid-April.

Local Musters around the world

Texas A&M Clubs, individual Aggies and informal groups meet up across the globe to hold Aggie Musters. There are typically over 100 in Texas alone, including multiple Musters in major metro areas.

These Musters vary widely in size and formality. They might be in a hotel ballroom, a Tex-Mex restaurant or an Aggie’s backyard, in a brewpub or on a battleship.

Nearly all of these Musters can add a name to their roll call for you. You might wish to choose a location near where most of your family or friends can gather. If you cannot attend the Muster where your group is gathering, you can very likely hold a candle yourself at your own local Muster.

Visit the tx.ag/FindAMuster map to see where events are planned. More locations appear on the map as April draws closer. Local Musters may be held on April 21 or on a date close to it when the largest number of local Aggies can conveniently meet.

The Association of Former Students provides support and planning assistance for these Musters, as well as maintaining the Muster map and the Worldwide Muster Roll from which they draw names.

You can also host your own Muster, either privately or open to the public. Visit tx.ag/HostAMuster to get assistance from The Association.

How to request that a name be added to a local Muster’s roll: Contact the Muster chair as early as you can to ensure they can call your Aggie’s name and to find out what type of event they are planning. Contact information is listed for each Muster chair on the map.