PLAYING THE DAWGS TO VICTORY TWICE IN A ROW UGA SAXOPHONE QUARTET WINS NATIONAL COMPETITION

Mixed Media saxophone quartet was awarded the Gold Medal in the senior wind division of the 49th Annual Fischoff Competition, held at the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN on May, 2022.

Members of the quartet included Michael Chapa (DMA ‘25), soprano saxophone; Julien Berger (BM performance and composition ‘23), alto saxophone; Lindsey Welp (DMA ‘25), tenor saxophone; and Grace Gelpi (MM ‘22), baritone saxophone. Professor of saxophone Connie Frigo was their primary coach, with support from lecturer of saxophone Brandon Quarles.

During the school year, the quartet rehearsed 6-8 hours per week and attended weekly one-hour coaching sessions with Frigo. Once the spring semester ended, they began rehearsing daily in preparation for Fischoff. “We spent a good deal of time discussing our repertoire selection so as to construct a stylistically diverse program that shows off a variety of our strengths as an ensemble,” said Gelpi.

The Redcoat Marching Band, founded in 1905, has become an inseparable staple of University of Georgia football games and a collection of other standing traditions at UGA. Recognized by Hall-of-Fame Coach Vince Dooley as the Heart of the Bulldog Spirit, the Redcoat Band is fundamental to the identity and culture of the University of Georgia.

After the Bulldogs’ first win, all eyes were on Georgia as the 2022 football season began. In October, the Redcoats were featured in a segment on Good Morning America on ABC, even spelling out “GMA” with band members out on the field.

This past season saw the Bulldogs win their second national championship in a row, delivering a 65-7 victory over Texas Christian University. Their previous win was against the University of Alabama with a score of 33-18.

Throughout their winning seasons, the Redcoat Marching Band has been playing alongside the team. “Everything you see and hear on the field happens because of a huge amount of hard work behind the scenes,” said Brett Bawcum, Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Georgia.

Bawcum has been a part of the Redcoat Band for more than 30 years, first as a saxophonist and then as drum major, graduate assistant, and associate director before being named director in 2020. “These students are waking up at 4am, putting in long hours, sweat, tears, all on top of rigorous academic semesters. It’s an incredible commitment.”

When they are not performing at the games, the Redcoats can be found training at the Redcoat Marching Band Training Field at the University of Georgia Intramural Fields. “Spectators are welcome to come listen as we practice,” said Bawcum. In the spring during the off season, many of the Redcoats will participate in Concert Band or University Band, so audiences have a chance to hear these performers in a more traditional concert setting.

The first home game for this year’s Georgia Bulldogs this season is Saturday, September 2. You can get the full season of games at georgiadogs.com.

“Mixed Media had a strong, independent, and consistent work ethic from the moment they formed as a quartet in summer 2021, which played a defining role in their growth during the year,” said Frigo.

As Gold medalists, Mixed Media was awarded a cash prize sponsored by Ann & Paul Divine and Nancy Hawkins. In addition, they went on the Winner’s Gold Tour in September 2022. Mixed Media performed concerts and took part in masterclasses and outreach at venues across the Midwest. An additional opportunity, not usually part of this tour, Mixed Media received a full scholarship to attend past Fischoff Gold winners Akropolis Quintet’s Mastermind career development workshop.