Bands Alumni
WIU Home > COFAC > Bands > Band Alumni
Traditions - "Georgia On My Mind"
Since 1981, the Marching Leathernecks have "wowed" audiences with their rendition of "Georgia On My Mind" as arranged by longtime band director Dale Hopper. Usually, "Georgia" is performed with the band forming two lines in front of the field/performance area. The first part of the song includes a trumpet solo performed by a annually-chosen member of the Marching Leathernecks trumpet section and is a position of honor. The front line of the band faces away from the crowd for this portion of the song, before turning around in the middle and letting loose with a wall of sound.
To honor the many performances of "Georgia On My Mind" by the Marching Leathernecks, Dale Hopper...the man who made this song a tradition at Western Illinois University, and the many Georgia Soloists over the last 43 years, here is a list of the soloists, as well as links to performances of the song throughout the years.
Connect with us: