Congratulations to our newest Drum Majors!

Are you excited for the upcoming season?! I bet you will be after meeting our newest Drum Majors, #53 and #54! They are so excited to showcase next year’s 330 strong in Lane Stadium and lead the way to victory. Let’s hear more about them:

Thomas Chase, one of our newest Drum Majors. Source; Emily Saintsing.

Hey everyone! My name is Thomas Chase and I am from Chesapeake, Virginia. I am a rising sophomore majoring in meteorology, and also a member of the trumpet section with the MVs. I love to watch sports, listen to music, and spend time with my friends. I also participate in semi-professional kickball back in Chesapeake. I am looking forward to meeting and working with everyone this upcoming season!
- Thomas Chase

Calvin Moore, our other new Drum Major. Source; Emily Saintsing.

My name is Calvin Moore and I’m from Yorktown, Virginia. I’m entering my senior year studying Aerospace Engineering, and I’ve marched saxophone in the MVs for the past three seasons. In my free time, I enjoy backpacking, reading, and a good game of Spikeball on the Drillfield. I also work part-time driving for BT, so make sure to hop on a bus and say hi! In addition to the Marching Virginians, I play in the VT Jazz Ensemble and the Hokies Pep Band, and I am the Vice President and Social Chair for Delta Omicron, the Professional Music Honor Society here at Tech. I can’t wait for what we accomplish this season!
- Calvin Moore

Congratulations on being selected for Drum Major! What are you most excited for?

Thomas: I’m most excited to see how much we grow as a band throughout the season. I’m also looking forward to game days as well as experiencing Brent Pry’s first season with everyone!

Thomas (left) and Calvin (right) making their mark on the Hokie stone. Source; Emily Saintsing.

Calvin: Meeting all of the new people! In my opinion, being a drum major is the easiest way to meet the MVs, and I plan on taking full advantage. I can’t wait to get to know such a diverse group of amazing people (and to see the amazing rookies we bring in next summer too)!

Why did you decide to audition for drum major?

Thomas: Ever since freshman year of high school, I have always been interested in the position. I never had the opportunity to be a drum major in high school, so I figured I’d give it a shot here at Tech! I fell in love with our organization last year, and wanted to help in any way that I could.

Calvin: There’s no position like it; I auditioned so I can have the chance to make a positive impact on the band and its legacy. I love this group and everything it’s taught me since I arrived at Tech–Drum Major is a great way to give back to the program that gave so much to me.

Calvin Moore (pictured) was always a spirited player during game days; Source: Beau Wong.

which stand tune are you most excited to conduct and why?

Thomas: I’m most excited to conduct V-Tag. It’s really our only spirit spot that the whole stadium can participate in, and I love when everybody yells “H-O-K-I-E-S HOKIES!” It also means that our offense is moving the ball, which is great!

Calvin: There’s nothing quite like V-Tag and the response we get in a packed Lane Stadium. My close second is a bit controversial: Tailslaps goes way too hard and I hope we bring it back.

If you could relive one mv memory from your time at vt, what would it be?

They hope that you are as excited for this season as they are! Source; Emily Saintsing.

Thomas: Although I have a small sample size to choose from, my one memory that I would want to relive would be the whole UNC game from last year. The energy in Lane that night was incredible, and the whole stadium was just as packed when the game ended as when it began (and beating a top-10 team at home for the first time in over a decade was amazing).

Calvin: The first time I did a March to Victory with the MVs is an experience I’ll never forget. High Fiving and cheering with everyone on our way down to the stadium was electric, and nearly made me lose my voice before the game even started. Our drumline grooves! Also, the 6-OT UNC game is a classic, and an event that’s hard to forget because every down made our hearts stop. This program is chock-full of unforgettable memories!

When you realized you were picked to be Drum Majors #53 and #54, what went through your mind?

Thomas: The whole experience from receiving the phone call from Lauren, to having it actually hit that you were chosen is indescribable. I couldn’t believe it at first (and had Lauren reassure me of it multiple times). I immediately called my mom afterwards and told her that I was accepted. She was so excited and proud of my hard work for being chosen, and I know I wouldn’t be where I am now without her. It’s hard to put into words the feeling I had knowing that I achieved something that I worked so hard for.

Calvin: I originally got the call while I was at work, and I remember finishing the rest of my shift with a huge grin on my face. When the adrenaline settled down, I remember thinking “alright, you’ve got work to do.” Drum major is an incredibly exciting experience, but it also comes with an incredible amount of responsibility. I’m pumped up and ready to get to work for this band!

They are thrilled for this next upcoming season! Source; Emily Saintsing.

For a fun question, which hokies football game are you looking forward to this upcoming season?

Thomas: Definitely the West Virginia game. I have a couple of friends that go there, and they plan on coming to the game, so I can’t wait to show them around and have them experience our game day traditions here. Thursday night games are finally returning to Lane, and I’m sure the atmosphere that night will be top-notch as well.

Calvin: I’m excited for my first-ever home UVA game! The MVs always travel C****ville to beat the Hoos in their own stadium, but I can’t wait to do it again on our home turf! We’ve got a cup to defend!

What is your message to the rest of the marching virginians?

Thomas: Calvin and I will be a great duo, and we can’t wait to help lead all of us through our season. This is going to be a stellar season, and I personally cannot wait to see everything that we accomplish! Let’s Go Hokies!!

Calvin: This season will be amazing–more amazing than Thomas or I can even imagine. We’re committed to YOU, and here to make this season the best it can be! Come say hi anytime; we’re looking forward to meeting each and every one of you! GOKIES.

Meet The 2022-2023 Drum Majors!