New Redcoat director Michael Robinson told the band Monday he has no intention of changing tradition.

“I don’t come in with any big agenda,” he said to a crowded band room in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music on East Campus. “It’s not my way or the highway.”

Director of Bands John Lynch announced Friday the decision to hire Robinson, head director of the Herd of Thunder band at the University of South Florida, to the position.

Most of Monday’s meeting consisted of a question-answer session, with Robinson addressing concerns about maintaining tradition and changes to the band’s practice habits.

Robinson, who presented his long record of increasing the size of marching bands, said his goals at the University are quality-based.

“When people out there think of college bands, I want them to think of UGA,” he said.

He said traditions such as the pregame show and notable stand tunes almost certainly will stay the same.

Lynch began a national search for a new director after he was hired in August. Interviews for the new Redcoats director began two months ago, and students submitted their preference for Interim Director and Assistant Director of Bands Thomas Keck, who made it to the finalist round of the interview process.

Jason Atha, rank leader of the clarinet section, originally opposed Robinson’s hiring because he said the student voice was not respected.

“Dr. Lynch presented more information about the search, and I believe it was done fairly,” Atha said in an e-mail Monday to The Red & Black. “After meeting with Dr. Robinson, I feel much more confident about the upcoming season and welcome him.”

Though rehearsal procedures will see some change, Robinson said he hopes to keep Friday and Saturday practices on Woodruff Field.

He said he hopes to increase the band’s opportunities for travel and public performance.

Robinson said he also wants to harness the band’s passion and emphasized the large role bands play in the college football experience.

“As far as athletic bands go, SEC has some of the best,” he said. “This is what I love to do. I love college sports.”

One potential change Robinson discussed was met with hearty applause from the crowd of students: The removal of Gary Glitter’s “Rock and Roll Part 2″ (“The Hey Song”) from the band’s stand repertoire.

Glitter’s personal history – which includes convictions from child pornography and child sexual abuse – has cast a shadow over the song, Robinson said.

“In a year or two, I don’t think anybody’s going to be playing that song,” he said.

Robinson said the band will continue to play four halftime shows each year, and said the drumline will remain a strong element of the band.