ATHENS, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - At 6 p.m. on Tuesday evening, the University of Georgia’s Redcoat band practice field erupted into a cacophony.

The band and its leaders spent the evening drilling furiously, running through various pieces, including pacing, marches, and performances.

“We’re working hard, I’ll say that,” said senior trumpeter Palmer Hartley.

Hartley is one of 68 trumpeters in the Redcoat Marching Band. He’s also one of only four chosen as a “Battle Hymn Soloist.”

This year’s soloists are Hartley, sophomore Justin Arnold, senior Colin Kennedy, and junior Walker McCullough.

The four trumpeters will play the first fourteen notes of the UGA “Battle Hymn” during pregame and during the “Dawg Walk.” The soloists are positioned on the top level of Sanford Stadium’s southwest

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