Georgia Redcoat Marching Band The Georgia Redcoat Marching Band , commonly referred to as " The Redcoats " , is the official marching band of the University of Georgia . History . “ Keep your seats , everyone … the REDCOATS are coming ! " Originally started in 1905 as a section of the UGA Military Department , the University of Georgia Redcoat Band has grown in the last 100 years from 20 military cadets to over 400 men and women covering almost every major at the University . The band ’ s first non - military performance was not at a football game , as many would think , but the 1906 Georgia - Clemson baseball game ! For the first twenty five years of its existence , the band members split their time ( albeit not evenly ) between their studies , their military drill , the band , and the athletic events they were required to play at ( including baseball games , which eventually released the band from their duties ) . It was also during this time that the fight song “ Glory Glory to Old Georgia , ” composed by former bandsman and future head of the Music Department Hugh Hodgson , made it debut . At a Georgia Tech game in the late 1900s , a reporter for the Atlanta Journal , not knowing the new Georgia fight song , kept constantly complaining about “ the incessant playing of ‘ John Brown ’ s Body . ’ ” ( While it is interesting to note that the main Georgia fight song is model after “ The Battle Hymn of the Republic , ” that song was actually based on the 1859 song about the abolitionist known for taking over the US arsenal at Harper ’ s Ferry , Virginia ( now West Virginia ) . During this time , the band was also a mainstay at the many parades held in the city of Athens , among them the 1915 Woodmen of the World Convention parade held in Athens , and a parade signaling America ’ s entry into World War I . Throughout the 1920s and 30s , the band , still under the Military Department , expanded modestly in size by allowing non - military musicians to join their ranks , spurred on by the eventual introduction of band scholarships . During this time , the band began to make short trips with the football team if the funds were there . In preparing for a major match - up with Auburn in Columbus , Georgia , the band needed $ 700 to make the train trip . They raised the funds by instituting a “ tag sale ” among the students at the school , which was made more successful by the fact that the female students ( which only recently arrived at UGA ) , were able raise the most money . Not only did they make the money needed to go to Columbus , they had money left over for needed repairs . Then , during the 1935 football season , an event took place that brought the need for a larger , more “ appropriate ” marching band . In November of that year , Georgia was scheduled to play Louisiana State . The governor of Louisiana made special plans to take the “ Golden Band from Tigerland , ” by then one of the largest marching bands in the nation . Upon seeing the small Georgia band against the massive LSU band , movements among the alumni and athletic association began to fund and equip the band with more instruments and members . While the number dwindled during World War II ( as was the case with most colleges and universities at the time ) , the band was able to grow back to a modest size before 1955 . In 1955 , the Redcoat Band as we know today was formed by the arrival of Roger Dancz and his wife Phyllis , who was to become the Director of the Auxiliaries . Before Roger ’ s arrival , the band was known simply as the Georgia Marching Band . There are several stories as to how the Redcoats got their name ( other than their uniforms , of course ) . One version has an Atlanta reporter writing about a joint concert among the bands of Georgia and Georgia Tech . While the Tech band was known as the “ yellow - jacketed band , ” the reporter found it necessary to dub UGA ’ s band as “ the red - coated band . ” The name stuck and by the time Roger and Phyllis arrived , the University of Georgia Dixie Redcoat Band was formed . With the arrival of the Danczes , the band began to grow in size and perform more elaborate halftime shows during the 1960s and 70s . In 1959 , Phyllis Dancz formed the “ Georgettes , ” a dance line that performs alongside the band during the pre - game and halftime shows . Later on , the Bulldog Banners , later to be called the Georgia Flag Line , was formed to add color and motion to the halftime show . Perhaps the most prolific time of the Redcoats in terms of the halftime shows was during the 1970s . Some of the most memorable shows performed by the Redcoats were the “ Six Flags ” show , complete with bicycles , clowns and balloons and the “ Halloween Show , ” in which band members dressed in Halloween costumes and performed music from horror films . However , of all the halftime shows the Redcoats have performed , perhaps none have received more comments than the “ Wedding Show ” held during the 1978 Georgia - Vanderbilt game , in which a couple actually got married in a three minute ceremony during halftime . Every aspect of the ceremony , from the flowers to the dress to the honeymoon at Lake Lanier was donated by Athens area businesses . It was originally supposed to be a publicity opportunity for the movie “ The Wedding ” starring Desi Arnaz Jr . , but those plans fell through . In the 1980 , the Redcoats began a new decade in a very enviable spot : as the marching band of the national champions of football . From 1980 to 1983 , the Redcoats would make three straight trips to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl . Also during this , the band would begin to overhaul its look by purchasing several new “ silver ” Sousaphones , many of which are still being used today . During the 1990s , the band began focusing more on “ corps ” style marching , a format influenced by the major drum and bugle corps that many Redcoats are members of . In 1995 , the Redcoats were outfitted in the first new uniforms in several decades and received a new “ look ” with a new , more modern logo . In 2000 , the Redcoats became the first band in the Southeastern Conference to receive the Sudler Award for the “ close historical relationship and outstanding contribution of Intercollegiate Marching Bands to the American way of life . ” Other schools who have been recipients of this award have been Florida A & M , Ohio State and Nebraska , making UGA among the elite marching band programs in the nation . During the 2011 - 2012 season , the Redcoat Band unveiled a restructured and revamped pregame show . The new show included some familiar elements , such as forming the arch , and the traditional " Spell Georgia Cheer " that used to take place during halftime . During this season , the Redcoats were also moved from their seating in the northeast corner of the stadium to the south endzone . It was an attempt to make the Redcoats more audible to the entire stadium , but the outcome was not desirable , and the Redcoats will be returning to their old location for the 2012 - 2013 season . Athletic Bands . Derbies Pep Band . The Derbies Pep Band is under the direction of the Assistant Director of Bands , assisted by the band captain . Derbies play in performance situations in which attendance by the entire band is not feasible . This includes the New Member mixer held at the beginning of band camp , the Jacksonville Bulldog Club Party at the annual Georgia Florida game , and away games that the entire band does not attend . Membership is chosen on playing ability because this is strictly a performance group . Other considerations equally important are merit , holding a leadership position in Redcoats , and years in Redcoats . Section leaders , drum majors , and band captain are automatically a Derbies pep band member . Volley Ball Pep Band . The Volleyball Band supports the women ’ s volleyball team at home matches . Membership for this group is typically chosen from the Derbies Pep Band . This ensemble is under the direction of the Assistant Director of Bands with assistance from the Band Captain . Basketball Pep Band . This Basketball Pep Band is under the direction of the Assistant Director of Bands . Membership will be determined on the basis of instrumentation and possibly a secondary audition when circumstances warrant . The Basketball Band consists of 70 brass , alto and tenor saxophones , and percussion players . These band members perform at all of the men ' s and women ' s home basketball games in addition to most post - season tournament games . Recent trips for tournament bands have included San Jose , Cincinnati , Chattanooga , New Orleans , Albuquerque , Denver , Charlotte , Memphis , New York , Philadelphia , Seattle , Tallahassee , and Dallas . Songs . Krypton - performed during the pregame show and at the beginning of the 4th quarter ( immediately followed by Glory played facing all four directions ) Hail to Georgia - The University of Georgia ' s official fight song , performed after every field goal Glory - performed after every touchdown Battle Hymn of the Bulldog Nation Glory , Glory Dixieland Tara Sweet Georgia Brown Georgia On My Mind Tara ' s Theme - performed only as part of the post - game concert Go Georgia Bulldogs Bulldog Bite Richards , Robin J . " The University of Georgia Redcoat Band : 1905 - 2005 " . Arcadia Publishing , 2004 . ISBN 0 - 7385 - 1684 - 8 . http : / / bands . music . uga . edu / redcoats /