Fall 2024 Redcoat Alumni Band!

This fall the Redcoat Alumni Band has a huge opportunity! In the past, we have associated our fall event with UGA Homecoming, but this year we've been asked INSTEAD to perform at halftime of "Clean, Old Fashioned Hate" -- YES, the Georgia-Georgia Tech game!

 Please stay tuned! Many critical details are up in the air, especially in this first year of the 16-team SEC and a new television contract. We have not yet learned how the new contract may affect things, and we are preparing for the possibility that kickoff times (and even exact dates) may be even more unpredictable than in the past few years.

The Redcoat Staff and the RBAA Board wanted to get this opportunity in front of you as quickly as possible, as we know that Thanksgiving week travel plans will be affected for many of us. The information above is all we are able to share at this point. We will communicate all remaining details as they become available.

 We can't wait to celebrate the Alumni Band's 50th Anniversary with you in November!

Rob Akridge is Retiring

 A message from Dr. Brett Bawcum, UGA Director of Athletic Bands

After retiring as director of bands at North Oconee High School in 2014, Rob Akridge didn't stay retired long. That fall, he returned to the University of Georgia as Redcoat Band assistant director and director of band festivals. Over the last ten years, Rob has been far more valuable to the Redcoat Band than I could possibly begin to express here. 

Rob let us know last week that he and Carolyn have bought a home on the Gulf Coast. He will step down from his role at UGA this summer, hopefully taking the idea of "retirement" a little more seriously this time around.

We have known this would be coming sooner or later, a fact which makes it no easier to see him go. It will take three people to replace Rob's drill-writing output alone. I don't even want to think about how to approach the mind-boggling logistical circuses that he has effortlessly managed for both Redcoats and band festivals, or the dozens of other things he has done on the our behalf over the past decade. 

Rightfully, a lot of us like to think of the Redcoat Band as family. The kindness, humanity, and joy Rob has put into his role have been a big reason why Redcoats over the past decade have continued to feel that way. It's also part of why I continue to feel that way.

I hope you will join me in thanking one of the damndest goodest dawgs ever. Congratulations, Rob! Keep the glass off the beach, and hurry back. We love you!

New Online Store Open

All merchandise must be ordered by Friday, April 19, 2024

(11:59 PM EDT)

Upcoming Alumni Pep Band Events

What: Universities (UGA) Forever Grand Opening Event

Where: 527 Lakeland Plaza; Cumming, GA 30041

When: Sunday, April 7, 2024

Time: 1:00 pm--Arrive at UGA Forever 1:30 pm - 2:15 pm--Play 1st set

2:15 pm - 2:45 pm--Break (EAT) 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm--Play 2nd set

If you are interested in playing, please contact Mark Perry at mark.perry@fbcps.com or Brenda Floyd at bbfloyd_0405@yahoo.com.

Please Note: The performance times on the flyer below are not correct. The Alumni Pep Band will perform at 1:30 pm and 2:45 pm.

Redcoat Alumni Pep Band March Events

On March 5 Alumni Pep Band members filled in for Redcoat Basketball Band members who were not available due to Spring Break. Thank you to the following Pep Band members who helped out: Mellophone-Joel Caughran, Percussion-Brad Hagin, Trumpets-David Fulcher, Abbey Quigley Steiner, Chris Steiner

On March 30 the Pep Band played for Mark Perry's father-in-law's birthday celebration. He is 90 years old. The group enjoyed playing Bulldog music for a wonderful audience of Bulldog fans at Terra Bella Assisted Living Home in Athens. Thank you to everyone who donated their time to play for this event.

Alto Sax-Pat Cheney Baritone-Michael Brewer Clarinet-Miriam Fears, Director-Mark Perry, Mellophones-Ellen Black, David Brown Piccolo-Brenda Floyd, Sousaphone-Russ Day Trombome-Michael Atkinson, John Colegrove Trumpets-Charles Cheney, Marion English, David Fulcher, Dorrie Gann

Save the Date

G-Day will be April 13th. The Redcoat Alumni Band will have no direct involvement but come out and support the Dawgs and Redcoats as they start preparing for the 2024 season. Remember - gather in section 115 to be close to the Redcoats. Click Here for more information.

The University of Georgia Summer Music Camp is an intensive five-day musical experience that offers students a place to grow musically in a fun and exciting learning environment. Summer Music Campers attend academic classes that address important areas of musicianship. Campers also attend instrument-specific masterclasses under the direction of the acclaimed faculty of UGA's Hugh Hodgson School of Music. For more information, please visit the Summer Music Camp website.

UGA's Summer Music Institute boasts a performance-intensive curriculum serving advanced students who are seriously considering music as a major area of study in college. All Summer Music Institute participants will perform in a chamber ensemble coached by Institute faculty. Students will also enjoy numerous lectures and laboratory exercises which are designed for the advanced musician. For more information, please visit the Summer Music Institute website.

UGA's Summer Marching Band Camp is an intensive five-day experience designed to help young marching band performers expand their skillsets. Our outstanding performers and teachers provide the personal level of attention required to help you master your specialty as drum majors, band leadership, guard members, and marching percussion. For more information, please visit the UGA Summer Marching Band Camp website.