Almost every MV was in a high school marching band, which is how they learned that they wanted to be here, in Blacksburg, enjoying games in the electrifying Lane Stadium and practicing at our home, the Marching Virginians Center. Some of our members thank their high school bands by sharing how they’ve helped them to get here!
Gracie Maslyn before her first college marching show as a Hokie at the UNC game; Source: Beau Wong
What about your high school band encouraged you to want to continue marching in college?
Gracie Maslyn during her senior marching season of high school; Source: Jordan Ostulano
In high school band, I loved being in a family environment with people that I can go to with anything. Being in the marching band is also such a rewarding, positive environment to be in.
– Gracie Maslyn, MV Nets
In high school band, I met most of my best friends. We had this common interest and I felt a sense of community. I got to come into high school with eighty friends already from band camp. I wanted the same sense of community in college, to be a part of something and have an opportunity to form the same kinds of relationships.
– Sarah-Faith Mukuna, MV Managers
In high school, I learned the importance of teamwork and a strong work ethic. Marching band became my family that I saw between school and home. In college, I felt inclined to find another family to enjoy spending time with. As a sophomore in the MVs, I could not be happier with my decision to join!
– Ben Majors, MV Nets
Sydney Deitrich in her sophomore marching season of high school; Source: Facebook
The relationships I was able to build in high school band really helped me decide to do college band, because I knew I would be able to build a wonderful friend group and support system right as I entered college!
– Sydney Deitrich, MV Pix
The sense of community and working together to make something incredible.
– Aidan Williams, MV Managers
James Kim (left) and Aidan Williams (right) incredibly changing another manager’s tire after a long rehearsal day; Source: Callie Ayala
What was something about your high school band that helps you to succeed in marching in college?
Julia Darden in her junior marching season of high school; Source: Facebook
The amount of physical conditioning I had to do for band camp and rehearsals in general helped me feel more prepared for the amount of work that comes with being a MV.
– Jaden Catalfamo, MV Pix
At Grafton High School, it took us about two weeks to set and learn an entire show and even though we continued to perfect it throughout the season, learning how to do a seven minute show in two weeks really helped me be successful in learning drill and music in a short amount of time.
– Julia Darden, MV Saxes
Jordan Downing in her freshman marching season of high school; Source: Beth Downing
Making the transition from high school to college marching band was definitely different than I thought it. My high school used a similar marching style and I got plenty of practice on piccolo. Moving from a competition band to learning a new show every week was intense, but so much fun. The atmosphere of my high school being so similar to the MVs is what helped the most. Everyone was super friendly and before school started I had a whole group of friends I could lean on.
– Jordan Downing, MV Pix