2022 Headline Bands: East Carolina Marching Pirates, Whiteville High School, John T. Hoggard High School Marching Vikings, North Brunswick High School Marching Scorpions, Cross Creek Pipes & Drums, Tryon Palace Fife and Drum Corps, Jamestown Pipes & Drums, Beaches & Boots Line Dancers, UNCW Seabelles Choral Ensemble, Stephen Luck Bugler!
WILMINGTON | The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes and the University of North Georgia Golden Eagle Band co-headlined the 2021 Southeast North Carolina Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 6 in downtown Wilmington.
The two nationally recognized bands joined more than 75 other units, including over a dozen marching bands and more than a dozen veterans’ organizations, in the parade that stepped off at 11 a.m. on Third Street at Hanover Street.
Whether at home on the parade field, in a concert hall, or on an international stage, The Citadel’s 80-plus-member Regimental Band and Pipes earned a global reputation as one of the world’s premiere military college bands. Members marched during inaugural parades and national functions and played for the president on numerous occasions.
The Regimental Band and Pipes has been a part of The Citadel’s tradition of duty, pride, and excellence since 1909. As one of the 21 companies comprising the South Carolina Corps of Cadets, the Regimental Band and Pipes leads the way and sets the tempo that all other cadets follow.
While the Regimental Band and Pipes functions as a single cadet company at The Citadel, it has two parts — the Regimental Band and the Regimental Pipe Band. The Regimental Band is made up of cadet musicians. The Pipe Band is composed of a drum major, pipers, and drummers.
The director of music/bands for The Citadel is Lt. Col. Timothy J. Smith, USMC (Ret.). Smith’s military career consisted of more than 20 years as a first instrumentalist, arranger, vocalist, and director of Marine Corps bands.
“We are honored for The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes to represent our institution, the Corps of Cadets, and our numerous veteran alumni in the Southeast North Carolina Veterans Day Parade 2021,” Smith said. “We join with the City of Wilmington in deepest respect for the duty and sacrifice of those who have gone before us in protecting our nation and our freedoms.”
Major Jim Dillahey, a graduate of The Citadel’s Class of 2001, is director of the Pipe Band and leads the ensemble to competitions at Highland games all over the United States, as well as leading them to earn positions in the 2010, 2015 and 2020 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. His piping career began at age 10 and he has earned accolades and awards for solo piping performances across the U.S., in Canada and in Scotland.
The UNG Golden Eagle Band is the oldest college marching band in Georgia and is one of the oldest in the United States. In continuous existence since the founding of the university in 1873, the band serves as the official musical representative of the university’s nationally recognized Corps of Cadets.
The 35 members of the ensemble are drawn from the university student body at large and from all five UNG campuses.
The Golden Eagle Band is under the direction of Dr. Bart Walters who is a member of the music department faculty at the University of North Georgia. Dr. Walters also teaches saxophone and music appreciation.
Prior to joining the University of North Georgia, Walters served as a saxophonist in the United States Army for 11 years, quickly moving up through the enlisted ranks to attain the rank of sergeant first class.
The Golden Eagle Band was scheduled to lead the 2020 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savannah but missed out when the pandemic shut down all activities the weekend before the band was to travel, Walters said.
“The students will be excited to be able to travel and represent the university, the Corps of Cadets, and the state of Georgia and to interact with other college and military musicians in the parade,” he said. “Additionally, they will have a wonderful educational opportunity visiting the USS North Carolina, Fort Fisher and historic Wilmington.”
About The Citadel Regimental Band and Pipes: https://youtu.be/HdpzcoTi4lw
About the Golden Eagle Band: https://youtu.be/FzXGTRYaE-E
About the parade: For more information about the parade, visit https://www.sencveteransparade.com
