The University of Georgia marching band won't be performing "Tara's Theme" during football games going forward. Band director Brett Bawcum announced on Wednesday that the marching band will be performing "Georgia on My Mind" in place of "Tara's Theme."
"We are ending performances of 'Tara's Theme,' effective immediately, and replacing it as our signature with 'Georgia on My Mind,'" Bawcum wrote in a letter that explained the decision. "Though the tradition has been under discussion for months within the band, the current social climate has highlighted the urgency of addressing it and made me conscious of the message that could be interpreted by delay.
"To be clear, the issue with the tradition is not the motivation of those who have embraced it, but rather the possibilities it may limit in those who haven't. I value tradition, but I value creating a welcoming environment much more."
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is on board with the decision to retire the song.
"As both a UGA alum and the head football coach, I fully support the USG Board of Regents and chancellor's decision," Smart said in a tweet on Wednesday. "This is an important first step in the right direction to help us evaluate our history and work to bring us closer together."
"Tara's Theme" was what the school band traditionally performed following Georgia football games. It also opens the classic 1939 movie "Gone With The Wind," which takes place in the pre-Civil War south.
More changes may be coming at Georgia in the near future. The school formed an advisory board that plans to review some of the names of buildings across campus for racial sensitivity in the coming weeks, according to USA Today.
