In a band as large as the Marching Virginians, it can often be difficult to make connections outside of one’s own section. While 330 proud members make up the core of the MVs, so much of what is done both at daily practice at the Marching Virginians Center and on gamedays in Lane Stadium is completed within individual groups. This leads to the deepening of relationships within a unit, of course, but can often lead to feelings of disconnectedness between other groups of musicians.
However, in a unique twist of events for the 50th anniversary season, members of the band’s piccolo section were provided with an opportunity to squash the narrative of section exclusivity. After accepting 16 members into this year’s unit, it was apparent that outside assistance would be needed so that dots on the field could be filled for halftime performances. Under the design of directors Dr. Polly Middleton and Chad Reep, a plan was created: Have a select number of marchers from the largest sections, such as the 65-person trumpet and 44-person saxophone groups, march in permanent piccolo spots for the 2024 season.
In all aspects except marching, it would be business as usual for the select contingents of marchers from the largest sections. Music would still be rehearsed with their own sections and members would still have an in-section rank to call home. When setting drill for halftime performances, however, rank captains in the piccolo section would disperse marching dots to their piccolo rank members, but also to the members of other sections that joined them on the field.
When the idea was first introduced, piccolo rank captain Caroline Martin was open to the new change. A third-year environmental science major, Martin was excited to see what the adjustment would bring to a section that has normally seen outside marchers in rotations instead of in permanent spots.
“In past years, the piccolo section would have members of other sections march a spot with us, but unlike this year, it was someone different each time,” Martin told me. “It was always a bit awkward as you didn’t know each other but would be standing a couple feet apart for the next few weeks [when learning a show].”
Through three months this season, Martin described how her experience as a rank captain of what soon became known as “ghost ranks” has changed her perspective on band as a whole.
“Getting to interact with more sections within the band has let me meet so many new people,” said Martin. “I find that it’s made us work together as a band.”
For the members of Martin’s Rank 5, the change originally received mixed reactions. For alto saxophone Shaun Saunders, being told that he would be marching away from his section was a change he wasn’t expecting.
“When I was told I would be marching a piccolo spot this year, I initially felt a little down,” said the second-year civil engineering major. Reflecting on his time this season, though, he felt nothing but gratitude for the experience he’s had with the piccolo section.
“Marching a piccolo spot for every show this year allowed me to meet lots of new people, in which I have created many long-lasting friendships,” stated Saunders. “Their section has been so welcoming and wonderful. I love them all and wouldn’t trade them for the world.”
Shaun’s sentiment was shared by fellow sophomore tenor saxophone Evan Bainer. “It’s been especially great just because of the piccolo section being so nice and open to us new members to where we feel like we’re a part of their section. It feels like I’m in two sections: the saxophones and the piccolos.”
For tenor saxophone and saxophone section leader Claudia Pack, her appreciation comes from a place of leadership. Now in their second consecutive year as a section leader, marching a piccolo spot has given more than just new relationships.
“I know more people and feel more confident providing feedback to different sections when it comes to marching,” said the junior aerospace engineering major. “I marched a piccolo spot last year and twice my freshman year and I love it every time.”
Members of the Marching Virginians may not have the chance to meet other section members quite the way in which Rank 5 has, but Martin’s mix of saxophones and piccolos took the chance and ran with it. While Dr. Polly’s change may not be a permanent one, Rank 5 is just one of many reasons why the 50th anniversary of the Marching Virginians is so special.
