Life as a Redcoat - Preface

After seeing so many Twitter and Facebook posts about the Redcoats the last few weeks, I decided it was time to write about my time in the Redcoats. As a member of the "Greatest Band in the Land," I have a unique perspective of what it means to be a Redcoat. So over the next several days leading up to the new season, one in which the Redcoats will finally have a place to call their own, I will cover what it was like to be a Redcoat. 

To start, I was a member of the Redcoats from 1990 through 1993. During my time, I played baritone (euphonium), and for those that do not know what this instrument is, think of a trumpet on steroids or an anorexic sousaphone. And of note, joining the redcoats was not something I started out wanting to do. So how did I become a member, first I need to give a little background. 

Coming out of high school, I had marched for four years and was a tad burned out with the concept of spending more hours marching around. I was more looking forward to attending games than participating in them. So I never applied or tried out for the band when I enrolled at Georgia. Although I knew many from school that went this route.  

So as a typical freshman, I was more concerned with the parties and the girls and was fine with that. It wasn't until I attended a few social outings with a former high school classmate and Redcoat that I started to get the itch to march. So over the course of the year, I met many Redcoats and instructors to begin what was a long road to becoming a Redcoat. 

During the spring of my freshman year, I was able to score an audition with the Band director, Dr. Dwight Satterwhite. Now I had not played for nearly a year and was fortunate enough be be able to get in a few practices before my audition with the help of some current redcoats. 

At the audition, now they don't let just anyone in, I was extremely nervous, but was able to muster enough get through it. This was not my best performance and when it was over I was left with the feeling that it was 50-50 on if they would let me in.

Now the wait started, would I get in. Then a week or so after school was out I got the letter. The one that said welcome to the Redcoats. I still have that letter, packed away with my UGA diploma. To this day, I think I got in only because I had a few positive words said on my behalf. And to those folks, I'm eternally grateful. 

That about sums it up, so until the next episode, when I'll cover the amazing world of Band camp, may your feet stay blister free. Go Dawgs.  

image courtesy of UGA Redcoats