In this post, Karen Small, MV Sax alumna, highlights the connections made from the Marching Virginians, and how they are truly ones that stick with you for the rest of your life.
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Dave McKee once said to the band, “look to your right, now look to your left. You could be married to one of these people some day!” When I first heard that, I laughed because of how ridiculous it sounded at the time. Looking back now, Dave was absolutely correct. The Marching Virginians will help you find your friends for life, but some find their person for life too.
MV picture at Faith and Tyler’s wedding, provided by Faith and Tyler Powers
Many of my MV friends from my time are still dating their MV partners, myself included. As I write this, I have been to 3 weddings where a Marching Virginian has married another Marching Virginian, and there are definitely more to come in the not so distant future. Each of these couples responded very promptly when I asked them to send me beautiful wedding photos (thanks guys!) and were happy to share their stories.
Sam and Jamie (both class of 2018) met during band camp their freshman year and began dating in the spring semester. Sam’s first memory of Jamie was carrying his quad stand during Hokie Village, while Jamie’s first memory of Sam was hearing her talk too loudly from across the room at a drumline hangout.
Sam and Jamie, provided by Sam and Jamie Slade
The Slades had a beautiful ceremony in March of 2022 in Woodbridge, VA. Many of their fellow percussion players, Sam’s cymbal ladies and Jamie’s quad squad, were not only in attendance, but in the wedding party as well. I first met Sam when she asked if I’d like to rush Tau Beta Sigma when I was a freshman. She made the rush process much less stressful than it could have been, and was the best grand-big to me throughout the semester. I am so grateful for that experience for allowing me to meet Sam, and eternally grateful to Sam and Jamie for letting me live with them during my summer internship that one time.
Karen and Sam in their TBS family, provided by Karen Small
Faith and Tyler (class of 2021 and 2020, respectively) met in the 2017 MV season as trumpets. They first connected while learning drill for the Aranjuez (note from Faith: trumpet rowing team!) show. They enjoyed their time together in the MVs, and still play together in the Durham County Concert Band. Faith says, “in separate majors and years, our paths would've never crossed without the Marching Virginians! We are thankful to the organization for the fun experiences and the connections [we made]”.
My partner, trumpet Kent McDonough, introduced me to Faith and Tyler, and I was invited to their wedding as his plus one. It was a picturesque October evening in 2021, and I have fond memories of good company and clapping along to Tech Triumph with fellow Hokies at the reception. I became much closer with Faith and Tyler when I learned they resided close by when I lived in NC after graduation. They helped me out many times at my old apartment, and I’m still not sure how, but we even watched all of Morbius together.
Faith and Tyler wedding photos, provided by Faith and Tyler Powers
Hannah and Chris (sax and trumpet, respectively, both class of 2022) are actually high school sweethearts! They met in middle school and went to the 8th grade formal together, and have been together ever since. Hannah says “being in the MVs together was great because I had my best friend there with me from the first day of auditions to the last day of senior year”.
Their December 2023 wedding in Williamsburg, VA (their hometown, and mine!) was incredibly sweet, filled with their friends new and old, and lots of family. I attended with a group of fellow sax alumna and we had a blast reminiscing on our times together, catching up with where we are now, and appreciating how Hannah’s dad is an amazing dancer. Hannah and Chris went to my rival high school and we certainly had mutual friends back then, but I really got to know Hannah during her first year in the MVs. She was the only girl rookie sax that year, but that didn’t stop her from becoming the heart of the section. Hannah’s positivity and laughter are contagious, and her contributions to the game day braid train will be remembered famously.
Hannah and Christopher, provided by Hannah and Christopher Paolucci
Looking back again to Dave McKee’s words, and thinking about how many people I didn’t know then that I have formed connections with now, it’s uncanny how right he was. The Marching Virginians led me to meet people who I will be friends with forever, and some of those friends have met their forever person through the band. How many people thought on their first game day that one day they’d walk down the aisle with someone from the band?
Thank you to the Slades, Powerses, and Paoluccis for generously letting me share a piece of your stories, and thank you to the MVs who helped me find my people, married or otherwise. There is much love in the band!
Karen Small - Alumni Blogger