Homecoming Details

Read some of the articles in this section to find out more about what the Alumni Band does for Homecoming each year.

Typical Homecoming Schedule

Written by George P. Burdell

Typical Homecoming Gameday Schedule

Because gametimes are set by TV, typically 11 days prior to Gameday, and sometimes only 5 days- we are often operating on a flexible schedule. As soon as gametime is set, we will post the finalized event schedule on the website. But the general framework will look like the following:

Saturday AM:

- 4:30	Registration & Instrument Checkout at the Couch Building
- 4:15	Warmup and rehearsal usually at the Couch Building
- 3:15	Marching assignments for PreGame drill
- 3:00	Leave rehearsal area and head to Campanile area for Pre-Game Meal.
- 2:45	Eat Pre-Game Meal (usually near Campanile) Depending on the time of day, this will be breakfast or lunch. We generally try to have a menu that everyone can deal with.
- 2:00	Alumni Band Performance at Campanile behind Student Center
- 1:15	Tech Band arrives at Campanile for warm-up and joint performance
- 1:00	Leave for Library fountain
- 0:45	Play Bud at Library fountain When you say Buuuudweiser....
- 0:35	March Down the Hill /Stop on stairs before entering stadium. The Alumni Band forms up behind the regular band and we follow them down The Hill. When we get to the bottom we will circle around and form up in front of the band. After we play Ramblin' Wreck, we will follow the band into the stadium.
- 0:08	Pregame performance to West Stands The members of the Alumni Band who wish to march on the field with the band will line up on the sideline and march onto the field for our portion of the Pre-Game show. After Pre-Game we make our way to our sets next to the band.
+ 0:05	Kickoff We spend our time in the stands playing alongside the regular GT Band and enjoying the game.
Postgame	Tau Beta Sigma hosts reception at Couch Building

Homecoming FAQ

Written by George P. Burdell

Frequently Asked Homecoming Questions

What if I want to participate without actually playing an instrument?

By no means are you required to play with the Alumni Band to enjoy Homecoming. If you have tickets elsewhere in the stadium, you may of course use them. We would encourage you to join us on Friday evening for our annual reception and business meeting (in 2008, the business meeting will be held on Saturday morning at the hospitality tent). And please come to the reception held after the game by Tau Beta Sigma usually at the Couch Building (in 2008, the reception will instead be held at the hospitality tent).

Do I have to play regularly to play with the Alumni Band at Homecoming?

Certainly not! In fact, almost everyone who does play with the Alumni Band only plays once a year- at Homecoming! By no means will you feel out of place if you aren't the player you used to be. In fact you don't have to play at all. Feel free to join us with or without your instrument.

Are there rehearsals?

We do a run-through the morning of Homecoming before the game. Music for most of the tunes we will play will be available to download on this website. You must be a registered member of the website in order to download the music. If you wish to practice, you may do so on your own. But do not feel compelled to spend many hours practicing. We're here to have a good time, and we're large enough that you won't stick out.

What if I don't have an instrument?

If you play a small instrument that is typically personally owned, you generally can have good luck purchasing an inexpensive instrument meant for a beginner at a garage sale or second hand shop. There are also many options to rent instruments like this. For larger instruments that are generally school-owned, you might want to approach your local high school and see if they are willing to loan you an instrument for the weekend in exchange for a small donation to the booster organization. If you cannot borrow or rent an instrument, the music department at Georgia Tech makes every effort to make an instrument available for you to borrow for the day. But it is critical that you register as early as possible. The band is getting larger every year and instruments are harder and harder to come by.

What if I was a member of the Drumline, Color Guard, Wreckettes, or a Majorette?

You are just as much a member of GTBAA as anyone else. All former members of the GT Band are welcome in GTBAA. If you need to borrow a flag, baton, or other equipment please just let us know.

Do I have to pay GTBAA Dues to participate in Homecoming?

Yes, you do. GTBAA dues help to cover our general operating costs- online services, postage, Outstanding Junior Award, Homecoming costs, and any help we are able to offer the GT Band.

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