Golden Eagle Band

Golden Eagle Band
Golden Eagle Band at Veteran's Day Parade, 2009
Active	1873 – present (144 years, 4 months)
Country	United States of America
Type	College ROTC Drill Team
Motto(s)	Talons of Steel!

The Golden Eagle Band (GEB) is the official instrumental ensemble of the University of North Georgia's Corps of Cadets. It serves as one of the featured units at all Cadet Reviews and military ceremonies during the school year. The unit also regularly travels off-campus to perform in parades, festivals, and military ceremonies throughout the Southeast.

The Golden Eagle Band of University of North Georgia is the oldest specialty unit on campus. It was created along with the founding of the college in 1873. Throughout the history of UNG the Golden Eagle Band has always been an integral part of the college's Corps of Cadets.

The Band's name has changed several times, been housed in many different locations, and has fluctuated in size throughout the years.

In the early 1900s the Golden Eagle Band was known as the Boar's Head Brigade Band. At that time, the band lived and practiced in a building that was located at the current site of Young Hall. The Commandant of Cadets also lived with the band at this time. After WWII, the band moved to Barnes Hall and created a large Boar's Head to hang over the fireplace. Later, this same Boar's Head was presented to the college and now hangs in the student Great Room in the Student Center. While in Barnes Hall, the band was the largest it has ever been. This was partly due to the fact that the Commandant of Cadets would personally take people from other companies who knew how to play an instrument and place them in the band. The name of the band changed to the Tiger Band, and the director of the band wrote UNG's Alma Mater.

In 1969, the Band moved to their current residence at Sanford Hall but was forced to cut its numbers to accommodate to the living space. Another problem that the band faced during this growing phase was a lack of adequate places to practice. Starting in the Canteen, they eventually moved to the gym and Young Hall. They then moved to El Maguey, a local Mexican restaurant located on the square. It was at this time that the band painted it gold to show everyone who practiced there and who the restaurant supported.

In 1972, the unit finally changed its name to the Golden Eagle Band. The band's distinctive patch was designed in 1989 by Jasper, GA artist Mary Russell, mother of one of the cadets. At this time the Band had its own unique uniform, which consisted of a black helmet with a large golden eagle on it. At the end of this decade, the band moved once again to Gaillard Hall. Once situated there, they painted a mural on the walls of their wing and placed a gold brick in the wall to show everyone how much hard work they dedicated to the school. It was also at this time that the band's practice area changed once again to the newly constructed Nix Center in which they had their own practice room. During this time in the early 1990s the motto of the Golden Eagle Band was "Golden Eagles Fly With Pride!".