Frequently Asked Questions for New MVs

What is the best part about The Marching Virginians?

THE PEOPLE! Many of the people you will meet both during the audition process and your time in The Marching Virginians (MVs) will become some of your closest friends in college and throughout life. It's the only place on campus where you can walk in as a freshman and have 329 friends right from the start of the semester! Even better, those people have your same love of band and come from every single college within the University with diverse interests and majors!

Do I have to be a music major to join The Marching Virginians?

No! Over 90% of The Marching Virginians represent majors OTHER than music! Members of the MVs have majors from across many departments. From architecture and business to engineering and dairy science, you'll most likely meet a member of the band who is currently pursuing the same major you are (or want to be)!

Will I be able to fit The Marching Virginians in my schedule?

Absolutely! The MVs rehearse on weekdays from 5:30 to 7:00 PM during the fall semester. This is a time when most classes have concluded for the day. Most students have this time free and small conflicts with classes are worked out. Even engineers can be MVs (nearly 1/3 of the band consists of engineering majors each year!). Remember, we want you to excel in your classes, enjoy your time in the MVs making music, and have a fantastic career at Virginia Tech!

Is this an academic class?

Yes, it is! You will receive one credit of MUS 3314 for your participation in the MVs during the fall semester! This class will also fulfill some of your Pathways classes required of every student at the University. All band members are required to be enrolled in the course.

Do The Marching Virginians ever do exhibition performances?

The Marching Virginians have been featured in exhibition across the Commonwealth over the past few years. During their exhibition tour in 2015, the MVs performed for over 7,000 high school band members and band fans. Two years ago, the MVs travelled to River Bend High School and performed an exhibition performance for a full stadium of excited high school marching band members!

How many shows Do The MVs PerforM in a football season?

Unlike the majority of high schools, we do a different show for every home game. In the past, our shows have featured a wide range of musical genres from Classical music to movie soundtracks. We provide variety, excitement, and a fantastic musical and visual product for the fans in Lane Stadium. This year, the MVs will perform 6 different halftime performances and one pregame performance (on Saturday, November 13th).

Our pregame performance is very special to everyone in the band and at Lane Stadium. Many of the most recognizable pictures for the VT faithful come from this performance (VT Logo, Double Tech spell-out, "H-O-K-I-E-S" spell-out, and the outline of the Commonwealth of Virginia).

Being in the MVs doesn't just mean playing halftime. We perform in the stands, at various events on and off campus, and if the team makes it to a bowl game, we'll be going with them!

There are no college marching band competitions, so for us the performance is all about the football game. We have a great time performing for a fantastic and supportive crowd of 66,000 Hokie fans!

Do The MVs travel to Bowl Games?

If the Hokies are selected for a bowl game, The Marching Virginians will be right there with them! The MVs have performed at the Sugar, Chick-fil-A, Gator, and Orange Bowls (just to name a few). In addition, if the Hokies win their division in the ACC, the band travels to the ACC Championship Game.

Do you have a Color Guard?

We have a flag corps in the MVs taught by our two fantastic flag instructors, Sarah McHugh and Lisa VanDyke. Both work with the flags during the year and develop new routines for each show along with the flag corps student leadership. Learning new routines for every performance is probably a bit different than your high school experience, but it's fun, exciting, and has a lot of variety throughout the year!

How hard is it to Make The Marching Virginians?

You have an excellent chance of making the MVs. We have an average of 120 first-year students make the band each year. All members of the MVs audition each year. Whether you are a first-year student or a returning senior, you have to audition for placement in the band

What is the instrumentation of the MVs?

We march Piccolos, Clarinets, Alto and Tenor Saxes, Trumpets, Mellophones, Trombones, Baritones, Sousaphones, Snare Drums, Tenor Drums (sextets), Cymbals, and Bass Drums.

*Note: we refer to our Mellophones as "Horns" and Sousaphones as "Tubas".

How do I get more information about The Marching Virginians?

The first thing you should do is fill out our interest form! That will provide us with some basic information about you, so we can contact you and answer your questions. It will ask for your anticipated high school graduation year, as well as your email and a few other bits of information. If you are interested in auditioning THIS YEAR, make sure to register for band camp!

What kind of audition will I have for The Marching Virginians?

Here’s a brief description of the audition process for each component of the band. Keep in mind EVERY section will submit a video audition and submit it when you register to audition for The Marching Virginians. The video audition is the only audition you will complete.

Wind Instrument Auditions: All wind players (brass and woodwinds) will prepare the video audition component that includes playing and marching. The marching section does not need to be perfectly executed in the MV style. You can use whatever style you are most comfortable marching. If you do not have a background in marching, that’s okay! You can still audition—do the best you can and let us know in your introduction.

Keep in mind that your video audition is the only audition you will complete!

Drumline Auditions: All drumline players will prepare a video audition component that includes a series of exercises in the audition packet.

There will be an in person drumline audition retreat for ALL members at The Marching Virginians Center in Blacksburg, VA. This in person audition component will allow prospective members to spend time playing in both a full drumline ensemble setting as well as numerous breakout sectionals (snares, tenors, basses, and cymbals). We encourage members auditioning for the drumline to audition on as many instruments as they feel confident on! The video audition should focus on one instrument, but everyone will have the opportunity to try a different instrument in the in person audition.

If members are unable to attend the in person audition, please contact Dr. Polly Middleton, Director of The Marching Virginians, for a video option.

Results will be announced within a week after the audition weekend.

Guard Auditions: All guard members will prepare the video audition component.

There will be an in person guard audition retreat for ALL members at The Marching Virginians Center in Blacksburg, VA. This in person audition component will allow prospective members to spend time learning choreography and completing an audition routine.

If members are unable to attend the in person audition, please contact Dr. Polly Middleton, Director for a video option.

Results will be announced within a week after the audition weekend.

Twirler Auditions: If you are interested in twirling with The Marching Virginians, you must first contact Dr. Polly Middleton, Director of The Marching Virginians, to express your interest as well as indicate your twirling background. The audition deadline and parameters will be shared over email.

What kind of fees will I have to pay to be in the MVs?

There is an annual activity fee of $100. Virtually everything is provided for you including:

Food at Home Game
Travel and Per-diem for away games
Official MV Attire (T-shirt, hats, etc.)
Travel and Per-diem for bowl games
Uniform and uniform cleaning
An instrument for EVERYONE in the band
The apps we use for learning drill and reading music

The only clothing items we ask you to bring are black marching shoes (Dinkles, Drillmasters, etc.) and a long sleeved shirt in a neutral color to wear under your uniform during cold games. We will have gloves available for purchase at Band Camp.

Do you provide instruments for the football season?

Yes! ALL of the instruments used on the field are owned by The Marching Virginians. You'll need to supply your own mouthpiece and reeds, but all instruments are provided!

Are there other musical ensembles that I can perform in along with the MVs?

Absolutely! The Department of Music offers a multitude of ensembles that are open to music majors and non-majors alike. In addition, a minor in music might be something you are interested in pursuing as well.

If you are looking for a lighter time commitment and wish to keep playing your instrument in a concert setting, the Symphony Band and Campus Band might be a great fit for you. Let us know if you have any questions!