Homecoming 2009 Schedule of Events

 A Citadel homecoming is a sight to see. Alumni from near and far will return to Charleston and The Citadel in November to celebrate reunions and good times with classmates young and old.

Homecoming is the college's second largest of three big weekends held on campus each year. Parents' Weekend in October is the largest. Corps Day, the annual celebration of South Carolina Corps of Cadets' founding, is held each March.

Homecoming this year will pay homage to The Citadel Regimental Band, which was founded 100 years ago in 1909.

While the Regimental Band and Pipes functions as a single cadet company at The Citadel, it has two parts - the Regimental Band and The Citadel Pipe Band. The Regimental Band is made up of about 70 cadet musicians. An important segment of cadet life at The Citadel, the Regimental Band contributes to the morale of the Corps and helps to maintain the martial atmosphere of the campus. The sounds of bagpipes were first heard at The Citadel in 1955

At home on the parade field and in a concert hall, The Regimental Band and Pipes has earned an international reputation as one of the world's premiere military college bands, offering music with great variety and appeal. Members have marched during inaugural parades and national functions and played for the President of the United States on numerous occasions.

In 1991, the Regimental Band and Pipes became the first military college band ever to be selected to participate in the world famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo of Scotland - a month-long nightly event of music, pageantry and demonstrations by military organizations from around the world. The band and pipes has been invited to return to the 2010 Tattoo.

Retired Navy Cmdr. Mike Alverson, director of bands.

"To say this is a great honor is a huge understatement. It is an opportunity to do something neither the VMI nor the federal services academies, or any of the other military schools have done,” said retired Navy Cmdr. Mike Alverson, director of bands. “We will be performing live in front of more than 217,000 people and watched by over 100 million people all over the world when it is televised by the BBC. It is one of those rare opportunities when we can show the world who we are, where we are from, and what we can do.”

The band also will be a big part of homecoming, which kicks off at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 with bonfire and pep rally. The bonfire festivities became part of Homecoming for the first time in 2006. All activities take place on Indian Hill and Washington Light Infantry Field near the water tower on the Ashley River side of campus.

The pep rally and bonfire are the first of many events taking place on campus for Homecoming. Many events, including the bonfire, are free and open to the public.  Please note that the schedule of events is subject to change. Please check back often and visit www.citadel.edu for up-to-date information about Homecoming 2009.

2009 Homecoming Schedule
100 Years of The Citadel Regimental Band

Thursday, Nov. 5

Saturday, Nov. 7