“Concierto de Aranjuez,” by Joaquín Rodrigo, was originally written as a guitar piece. The song has been played by guitarists in solos as well as in orchestral arrangements, as well as by the Marching Virginians as one of our hits throughout the decades! Like many Jim Sochinski arrangements, “Aranjuez” has been a favorite to perform by the Marching Virginians.
The 51st Edition of the Marching Virginians alone has performed this piece several times. The first was as a part of its 50th Anniversary Show and MV Alumni Day at the Marshall game. Furthermore, the piece was shared with high school students performing at exhibitions at Christiansburg, Riverbend and North Stafford high schools.
This blog, with interviews from MV alumni and a current MV, highlights some of the ways that this piece has impacted every alumni and current members of the band throughout the decades.
The 1986 Edition of the Marching Virginians
I have had the honor of working with it each time it has come back and watched it become the tradition it is today. It means a lot that it connects with so many iterations of Marching Virginians.
Lisa VanDyke (Guard, 1985-1990)
The Marching Virginians is where Lise VanDyke found her husband of 34 years and instilled the love for color guard in her daughter, current MV Reilly VanDyke. While an office space designer in North Carolina, she could not stay away from the Marching Virginians for long post-graduation. She is one of the instructors for the Marching Virginians color guard, and we see her during band camp and at every Virginia Tech home football game.
VanDyke described the 1986 Edition of the Marching Virginians as extremely new, but the same feel as today with old traditions continuing to be valued while new traditions were always being formed. She shared that her favorite memory will always remember the 1986 season as the season where she met her future husband, Chuck VanDyke (snare), and where the Hokies won the Peach Bowl!
VanDyke was in a performance of “Aranjuez” during her second season in the Marching Virginians. She shared that the show is unlike any other, fun choreography that is “dancy and fun” with poses that the colorguard does not get to do in a typical show.
VanDyke earned her B.A. in housing, interior design and resource management from Virginia Tech.
The 2017 Edition of the Marching Virginians
One of the most unique and special things about the MVs is how we can bring a concert band sound to a marching band, and I think Aranjuez showcases the very best of that in a way that's totally unique to us. I hope every MV gets a chance to perform it at least once.
Kent McDonough (Trumpet, 2016-2020)
Kent McDonough remembers 2017 as the last year that Dave McKee directed the Marching Virginians, and the organization welcomed Chad Reep in as the new assistant director. He shared the environment was exciting, with lots of reflection on the progress made during the band’s tenure,
Kent’s favorite part of “Aranjuez,” like any Trumpet player would share, would be rowing in the floating set, as if they were in canoes. Kent shared their section shirt highlighting they were the “Aranjuez Rowing Team.”
Kent McDonough is a two-time Hokie, earning his B.S. and M.S. in computer science, and is now living in Washington D.C. with his partner (and fellow former MV) Karen and their dog Libbi.
The 2020 Edition of the Marching Virginians
It is really special that the MVs still continue to march and play Aranjuez because it has been such a fun song for many different generations of MVs to play.
Lauren Chuderwicz (Trumpet, 2019-2024)
She played in the COVID edition of the marching band, playing “Aranjuez” as a part of their performance repertoire for the year. Lauren shared that while challenged by COVID, she was impressed by the enthusiasm and the energy everyone brought to these modified and unusual rehearsals and performances.
Lauren shares her favorite part of “Aranjuez” is the Trumpet row, which you can see in the regular marching show where the Trumpets along the East sidelines row towards the end zones as they march to their dots!
Lauren Chuderwicz is a two-time Hokie, earning her B.S. and M.Eng. in Computer Engineering,and is now working on Radar Planes with Northop Grumman.
The 2022 Edition of the Marching Virginians
Just about each edition has played countless pieces arranged or written by James Sochinski, including Aranjuez… No matter how different the band looks or feels today versus however many decades ago, the music that flows through our veins has the same roots, and continuing to honor that and play these pieces is the glue that sticks the generations together.
Audrey Jones (Piccolo, 2019-2023)
She shared that while tiring, the 2022 Edition was energetic, even with so many early kick off times. She shared the MVs were hyped up and ready to cheer on the team through every game.
Audrey shares that “Aranjuez” is an intense piece, a fun song that locks in and brings the intensity that a marching band wants to bring to its audience.
“Each edition of the band has different inside jokes and memes. But just about each edition has played Tech Triumph, the Hokie Pokie, and countless other pieces arranged or written by James Sochinski, including Aranjuez… No matter how different the band looks or feels today versus however many decades ago, the music that flows through our veins has the same roots, and continuing to honor that and play these pieces is the glue that sticks the generations together.”
Audrey Jones graduated with her B.S. in Fish Conservation, and she now lives in Idaho doing aquaculture and fish farming research.
The 2024 Edition of the Marching Virginians
The MV family has an unbreakable bond and having that show as a connection is one more reason to feel so connected to the other alumni.
Gracie Maslyn (Clarinet, 2021-2024)
She shared that the 2024 Edition is very special, with the level of performance and professionalism on the field being incomparable to previous seasons. Her description of Aranjuez highlights the blend between several instruments, and the interest that it brings to the listener in each performance.
Gracie shares her favorite part of the “Aranjuez” performance was the amount of times the 2024 Edition performed it this season, as well as the amount of effort and work the band has put in to make the show as amazing as it can be every single performance.
Gracie Maslyn will graduate this semester with her B.A. in Human Development.
The Legacy of Jim Sochinski
Jim Sochinski’s time in the Marching Virginians is remarkable, and has been felt by members during his tenure at Virginia Tech up to students who never had the privilege to meet him. His arrangements, whether it be Tech Triumph or Aranjuez, still sits as the foundation of the Marching Virginians.
To Lauren Chuderwicz, continuing to play pieces such as Aranjuez means remembering the foundation and the traditions of the Marching Virginians. “It was an honor to play his arrangements and pay tribute to someone who impacted so many in our program.”
To many, “Aranjuez” is a story of many things, including the legacy in which the Marching Virginians pride themselves in, the history of those who put their time and effort on the field, and a reminder that even with change, the foundation of such an incredible organization continues with the band.
NOTE: We’re looking for recollections of the oldest “Aranjuez” performance! If you marched in that first show, we want to hear from YOU! Let us know at mv.mco.1974@gmail.com.