50th Anniversary and Alumni Weekend - VT vs. Marshall

What better way to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Spirit of Tech than with a Alumni Day performance and a Virginia Tech Hokies victory? 

The VT vs. Marshall game weekend was packed with reunions, memories, and celebrations of what the Marching Virginians had accomplished. Friday night had started off with welcoming back the alumni with a reading session, allowing them to “warm up their chops” before their big performance on Saturday in Lane Stadium. The reading session was followed by an alumni banquet.

Alumni Event (Courtesy of Andrew Single)

The banquet was filled with Marching Virginians from every decade of the band, from 1974 all the way to current Marching Virginians sharing memories, exchanging stories, and celebrating how much this young marching band has accomplished. Emotions were very high as all looked back and dreamed of the future of the band.

“This 50th Anniversary had occurred because every person in this room left a part of them on that field,” Dave McKee shared during his speech to the Alumni. Sharing stories and looking at the band now, alumni were happy that their legacy still stood as a staple of not just Virginia Tech Football, but the atmosphere of so many students across many different colleges in the university. Dr. Polly Middleton ended the night by sharing “I hope you are always proud of the Marching Virginians… and I hope you look at the MVs with a sense of pride and excitement!”

Next up was GAMEDAY! All the current MVs and the Alumni met for rehearsal and shared with the Alumni the music and drill which would be shared with the thousands of fans in Lane Stadium.

First Quarter

Flyover! (Courtesy of Andrew Single)

The first quarter was slow and anxious at the same time, with Virginia Tech and Marshall making strong attempts to run the ball down the field with failed attempts. The quarter ended with excitement as Marshall punted the ball on 4th down. Jaylin Lane received the ball and ran 50 yards towards the North End Zone to celebrate a Virginia Tech touchdown with the Marching Virginians and student section to end the quarter at 7-0.

Second Quarter

We saw more action in the 2nd quarter, starting with Virginia Tech taking a 42 yard field goal to put the team at 10-0. Marshall pushed back as they pushed the Virginia Tech defense down the field making a 2 yard touchdown, pushing the Hokies at 10-7.

Halftime

As the game clock hit 0:00, the Marching Virginians took the field, opening their Alumni Day performance of “Aranjuez,” a band favorite which first made its debut in the Marching Virginians repertoire as another Jim Sochinski classic arrangement, and played throughout the 2010s and 2020s. Over 500 alumni members took to the field afterwards, with the combined Super Sousaphone section inviting everyone in Lane Stadium to the Hokie Pokie. Shennandoah and VPI Victory March followed, with the combined bands setting the field to present a large “50” for the 50th Anniversary. And just like that, the Marching Virginians finished Tech Triumph and sprinted back to their stands to continue rooting for the Hokies!

The halftime show was incredible. Over 800 Marching Virginians on the field, playing their hearts out, entertaining thousands with the melodies which have been shared for decades. This was a special show, as always, with every song arranged by late staff arranger James Sochinski. While no longer with us physically, his memories are carried by every MV who hits the field, as they play his pieces. And that made the show even more special than it already was. 

“Without Uncle Jim, we would not have been able to complete what we have accomplished... he poured every bit of sweat and knowledge into his arrangements.”

— Dave McKee

Third Quarter

Virginia Tech meant business, returning from halftime and pushing Marshall into the Red Zone for a 1 yard touchdown to push the score to 17-7. Marshall pushed the score with a 18 yard pass and touchtown to make a close 17-14. However, the Hokies returned shortly after to go 65 yards down the field, and finish with a 3 yard run by quarterback Kyron Drones, sliding past Marshall’s defense for a touchdown, leaving the score in the 3rd quarter to 24-14.

MVs and Hokie Football! (Courtesy of Andrew Single)

Fourth Quarter

The Hokies were not backing down yet, and started the quarter off strong with Drones throwing a 5 yard pass to Da’Quan Felton for a touchdown, sitting Virginia Tech at a comfortable 31-14. The Hokies held back Marshall for the rest of the game, guaranteeing another Virginia Tech Hokies’ victory for the books!

The Marching Virginians finished off their night in Lane Stadium with a new tradition, playing the ending medley from the Metallica show (Sad But True, Wherever I May Roam, Creeping Death, Lux Æterna, and of course, Enter Sandman) to celebrate all Virginia Tech victories. Lastly, the remaining fans saw a sky full of flying Marching Virginians as the night was finished with Superman.

The weekend was slam packed and exhausting for most, but it is memories that will be shared for a lifetime and never forgotten. However, the weekend’s festivities show what community has been built by this incredible organization. It is important to remember who has come, what is now, and what is to be – a grand show. 

In the words of the great Marching Virginians band director, Dave McKee, 

“Know the tradition, grow the tradition!”

It's Great to Be Back!

All of us here in Blacksburg are more than thrilled to be able to welcome new members, returners, leadership, and staff back to the Marching Virginians Center for another great season! This season is incredibly special because it is our 50th Anniversary celebration, where we will be celebrating and welcoming back MV Alumni. Whether they were the class of 2024, or the class of 1974, the Marching Virginians are so excited to have them back. Here is a tiny sneak peek into what our schedule entails this season!

September

This Friday (September 6), we are welcoming our alumni back for what is known as our Reading Session. This will be an opportunity for us to play a couple of their absolute favorite shows and stand tunes with them.

Happy Band Camp! (Photo courtesy of MV Multimedia)

This Saturday (September 7), is our first home game. We play against Marshall University, and it’s the Marching Virginians’ 50th Anniversary Celebration as well as our MV Alumni Day! We will be welcoming over a thousand alumni and their loved ones back to Blacksburg, and we cannot wait to hear about their favorite memories of being in the MVs.

The following Saturday (September 14), is our exhibition performance at Christiansburg High School! The MVs will take a quick trip over to Christiansburg to perform for very excited high schoolers and families. We absolutely love exhibitions, because this is a way for high schools to see what our organization is all about. It’s also a chance for Hokie fans that may not be able to come to a game to see us perform. There’s always a chance that someone in the crowd is hoping to be an MV someday!

On Saturday, September 21, we are hosting lots and lots of high schools from around Virginia and nearby states at our annual MV for a Day! This is always such a fun day, and we are so excited to meet high schoolers and prospective MVs! The Marching Virginians always love getting to meet and perform with high school marchers.

September 28 brings another exhibition day — a doubleheader at both Riverbend and North Stafford high schools! This really maximizes how many young marchers will get to see us play this season. We’re so excited!

Hi, Chad! (Photo courtesy of MV Multimedia)

October

On Friday, October 25, we have our homecoming parade. That Saturday, the 26th, is our homecoming game against Georgia Tech.

November

November 9th, we will be hosting Clemson University at Lane Stadium, and this is also our annual Hokies for the Hungry! Hokies for the Hungry is a friendly competition among the sections to see who can donate the most food to donate to charity. We always love this fundraiser at the end of the year!

On November the 30th, we will be hosting the University of Virginia for our last game of the regular season. This is Senior Recognition for the MVs, as well as Band Parents Day! This is the day that we get to recognize our wonderful seniors, and welcome our parents on Game Day to join our celebration!

December

In early December, before finals, we will have our end of year livestream concert. Stay tuned for details on dates, and to see if we play the ACC Championship on Sunday, December 7!

We have such a busy but exciting season coming up here in Blacksburg, and we cannot wait to celebrate our 50th anniversary alongside our alumni, high school bands, and all of Hokie nation!

Reflecting on the 50th Year of the Marching Virginians

Over the past month, I’ve done a lot of reflecting on my inaugural year in the Marching Virginians. It’s gone by all too quickly, but with the season has come new relationships, amazing experiences, and a family of more than 300 people who I’m so fortunate to share the field with. Much of my reflection has been through my own view, thinking about the memories that I’ve made with those in my saxophone section and how I’ve grown as a person because of them. Coming into Blacksburg with a grand total of two other freshmen band members from my high school, I was nervous that I wouldn’t find a place to call “home” within the band, but the section (and Rank 21!) truly transformed my experience with the MVs. Realistically, however, I am one of 330 strong. I am only able to absorb so much throughout game days and daily practices. Therefore, I had to ask myself a question: what was the season like for other Marching Virginians?

Assorted members of the band were gracious enough to respond when I reached out to ask if they could detail some of their most memorable moments throughout their seasons. Admittedly, I expected answers that were more surface level than anything, along the lines of “the practices” or “jumping to Enter Sandman” (which, let’s be realistic, is still very cool). What I wasn’t prepared for, however, was the profound emotional impact their responses had on my own perspective of what the MVs represent. 

VTUBAS performing and dancing to the Hokie Pokie, Source: Seth Boehringer

Senior clarinet and service officer Jillian Sasso sent me some of the most touching memories from her four years as a clarinet. A seasoned member of the band, Jillian had the opportunity to illustrate how her relationship with friend and clarinet rank captain Rachel Smith was so important to her: “I’ve always had someone else in the section french-braid my hair before games. Rachel Smith, one of the Net rank captains, is an excellent braider and a great friend of mine, so she always does my hair…this has been a really special bonding experience for us because we get to talk about things and appreciate each other very much.” Jillian also spoke on how her pre-practice frisbee group was a great way to stay active after a long day of classes. While it may seem small to someone outside of the band, she mentioned that it was a great way to bond with her section and that it’s one of the things that she’ll miss when she graduates. 

I was beyond excited when senior VTuba member Seth “Willy” Boehringer reached out to detail his memories on the classic tuba rendition of the Hokie Pokie. A staple after the first quarter, the Hokie Pokie is arguably one of the most important experiences any tuba has the chance to participate in. The VTubas lead the 66,000 raging Lane Stadium fans in the dance and song, supported by the rest of the Marching Virginians (VERY carefully) dancing on the bleachers in front of them. It’s one of the most fun season memories, said Willy: “It’s our favorite tradition, and seeing everyone have so much fun while dancing and playing makes me so happy.” Admittedly, I did tear up when I read the final line of his message: “In short, my favorite memory is watching my closest friends do something they love.”

It would be a disservice to reflect on the season the Marching Virginians have had without acknowledging the history that came with it. September 9th’s football game against Purdue, appropriately dubbed “The Rain Game,” was truly one for the ages. Those present at the game know just how unprecedented the day was: a weather delay, a near-cancellation, and almost 6 hours of confused loitering in the Beamer-Lawson Indoor Practice Facility later, the Marching Virginians represented their school with pride and strength.

A perspective inside Beamer-Lawson Indoor Practice Facility, Source: Kristin Rice

When sophomore and saxophone rank captain Alex Shupp reached out to me to discuss his perspective on the day, I was elated. He called the day, which left so many marchers and fans drenched, his favorite experience as a Marching Virginian thus far: “This might be a controversial pick, but my favorite memory with the Marching Virginians has to go to the September 9th rained out football game. It was the most hectic, stressful, and by far the longest day of the entire season. But for all its downsides, it cemented itself as a core representation of who the MVs are.” 

“Yeah, it was miserable, wet, and frustrating when the game got delayed. But the second the MVs huddled in the practice facility together, the band immediately started making the best of it…I wouldn’t have had that game play out any other way.”

So easy is it to fall into the idea that band is some kind of shift at a job, clocking in at 5:30 p.m. and leaving at 7:00 p.m. However, it is so much more than that. I quickly realized that some MV’s favorite experiences occurred outside of practice or even game days. Junior and marketing + communications officer Emy Delaporte spoke of how her most memorable moment from this season was her study sessions with fellow piccolos. “My favorite memories from this season are a series of late-night study sessions in Squires with pix players,” she mentioned. “The overlapping subject areas made for great homework help and the chatter was immaculate!”

Comparatively, freshman trumpet player Taj Davis spoke of how a casual movie hangout at senior trumpet Kerin Gorassi’s house set the tone for his season: “…One of the first real events we did was a movie night, planned by Kerin. It was a very nice way for any and all new members to meet the rest of the section in a non-professional scenario…[his planning] was very nice to see, and is probably why I and the many other freshman trumpets have such high respect for him!” 

It’s been one heck of a first season. Truthfully, I’m not sure any other season could really top what the band as a collective has done this year. Reading the memories of my fellow marchers made me realize how much of a good decision I made to take the leap and try out for the band. The experiences I’ve had this one season alone make me more and more excited for possible seasons to come, and as we close out this one with a bowl game, I’m ready to perform and make music with my new adoptive family of 330 strong. Cheers to the 50th year of the Marching Virginians!

New Faces: The Rookies' Favorites!

With the new season of the Marching Virginians underway, everyone has been hard at work putting our upcoming show “Superhero” onto the field. For many members this is a bittersweet time as the start of their final year in the MVs, but this is also an exciting beginning for others: the rookies! Every year, the rookies must learn MV songs, marches, and traditions, and we wanted to find out what some rookies most enjoy about being in the Marching Virginians.

What’s your favorite part about being an MV?

Arnav Joshi, Civil Engineering, MV Tone. (photo credit to MV Online Content)

“The atmosphere is just really good, you make friends,” said Arnav Joshi, a rookie MV Tone. “You get to play good music, and you just get to have all around fun.”

“My high school band was a lot smaller, so I love the community,” said Claire Haagen, a MV Bone rookie. “Just having a really large band of a lot of people who genuinely love to be here and devote a lot of time to the MVs.”

Daniel Mwaura, Neuroscience, MV Trumpet. (photo credit to MV Online Content)

“My favorite part about being an MV is meeting a lot of cool people,” said Daniel Mwaura, a VTrumpet rookie. “Being able to meet every day, playing good music, and sounding good as a band is great.”

“I just love playing music and being around so many great musicians and putting on these shows and meeting so many people,” said James Martens, a VTrumpet rookie.

“It’s the sense of camaraderie”, said VTuba rookie Shaft. “It feels — especially [my] section, and the band as a whole — feels like a family, but it’s just a lot bigger.”

James Martens, undecided, VTrumpet. (photo credit to MV Online Content)

Going into our first game this Saturday, it seems that the rookies all have their own special slice of being an MV that they enjoy. Be it playing musical medleys, having a unique section bond or being surrounded by so many amazing people, being an MV is a truly special experience. We hope that the rookies of the 2023 season have a fantastic fall semester and love being in the MV family for years to come! After all, you’re not just an MV when at Virginia Tech; you’re MVs4lyfe!

Band Camp 50!

Welcome back, Marching Virginians and fans! We’ve missed seeing your smiling faces around the MVC these past few months. 

Band Camp flew by with field leadership, officers, rookies and returners working hard to get up to speed and get ready for our exciting 50th season ahead. Let’s hear what some of our MVs thought about the week!

Shawn “Ronald” Regalado, VTuba rookie. (photo credit to MV Online Content)

Was band camp what you expected?

“As someone who is coming from a small high school that had about forty-ish members, said VTubas rookie Shawn “Ronald” Regalado, “seeing the pace that we learn everything and the different cultures in each section and the sheer size of the band itself was a lot to take in. It really blew away my expectations going into band camp as a rookie.”

Carter Bohart, MVPix rank captain. (photo credit to MV Online Content)

How was your first week of leadership? 

“I enjoyed meeting all of the new band members and getting to work with them, [to] kind of hand down what I learned as an incoming member,” said new MVPix rank captain Carter Bohart. “[I enjoyed] giving them tips and tricks in the MV marching style and helping them become acclimated to the environment.”

What are you most looking forward to for the 50th season?

“I’m looking forward to bringing back some old shows that we used to march and just celebrating the accomplishments that this band has brought about in 50 years, being one of the youngest bands in the nation,” said Bohart.

Megan Mansfield, returning MV manager. (photo credit to Megan Mansfield)

What are you most looking forward to for the 50th season?

“The community,” said returning manager Megan Mansfield. “Now that I’ve met more people from last season and also [been] helping with uniforms, I know more people from almost every section. So now, the games, cookouts and going out with people, it’s going to be a lot more fun because it’s easier to make connections.”

All said, the MVs can’t wait for season 50 to really get started. Our first game is against ODU on September 2nd, and will be our annual MV for a Day event! This is a great opportunity for high schoolers to check out our program and see what collegiate marching is really like.

We’ll see you there!