Tennessee Tech University After a Decade, Tech Color Guard Sets Fall Return

Tennessee Tech University After a Decade, Tech Color Guard Sets Fall Return | Tennessee Tech University (tntech.edu)

By Upper Cumberland Times Reports

Mar 22, 2023

A beloved Tennessee Tech tradition is making a return to campus later this year. After a decade-long hiatus, Tech’s Golden Eagle Marching Band will once again feature a color guard beginning in the fall 2023 semester.

For Jeffrey Miller, Ph.D., director of bands at Tech, the guard’s relaunch is the realization of multiple years of planning.

“When I was hired here in 2018, I created a five-year plan of things I wanted to see and the color guard was part of that,” explained Miller. “There were other significant areas of financial need that we had in the marching band. We’ve been able to chip away at those for the past couple of years and are now at a point where we were able to approach university administration and request financial assistance with realizing the goal of reinstating the color guard. President Oldham was very supportive.”

As a first order of business, the Golden Eagle Marching Band is searching for a color guard director. The job posting calls for a “world-class, talented individual who is an inspiring performer and teacher to help re-establish a color guard as part of the marching band beginning in fall 2023.”

Miller aspires to have 20 Tech students in the color guard this fall – a goal that he says is within reach.

“We’re trying to establish a sense of community within the guard,” he added. “Our marching band members are excited about the re-addition of the guard. That’s an area where some of our students have been vocal – so this is a great opportunity for us.”

Looking beyond the fall return, Miller has high hopes for the color guard’s future.

“We desire to be able to take our band and guard to perform in exhibition at high school marching competitions in the state. These performances allow us to recruit for the university and showcase our band,” said Miller.

He also sees potential for educational clinics on campus with area high school students and has long-term goals of taking the marching band to participate in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.

For the Golden Eagle Marching Band, the reinstatement of a color guard is not only about bringing back a time-honored tradition, but also motivating talented performers to consider a college experience at Tech.

“From an outreach perspective, I think this will be something that will help,” concluded Miller. “A lot of the high school students participate in color guard around here. Having a guard at Tech will provide those students an opportunity where they can come to Tech and continue to hone their craft.”

Current and incoming Tech students can learn more about opportunities with the color guard by completing the marching band’s intent to march form at: https://www.tntech.edu/fine-arts/music/ensembles/bands/intent-to-march-form.php.