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Karen Small: Much Love in the Band

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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

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Giving Day Recap!

Virginia Tech’s annual Giving Day fired off at noon on February 21, and for the following 24 hours the many schools, departments, and groups ‘competed’ in raising funds. The inaugural Giving Day event occurred in 2018, where 4,300 donors raised an unbelievable 1.62 million dollars. Giving Day has continued every year, save for 2020, and each year the number of donors and total funding has skyrocketed even higher.

So, what happened on Giving Day 2024? A total of $13 million was raised, just over $3 million more than the previous year. This is the single greatest jump in funding between years. Similarly, there was a massive increase in donors: 18,900 from the 17,000 of the previous year.

These are certainly impressive numbers, but we all want to know is: How did the Marching Virginians do? The total fund numbers for the amount the MVs raised is unavailable. However, we can see the donor numbers!

This year, 521 friends of the MV family contributed on Giving Day. This is a remarkable number; 171 more than the previous year. Much of this was possible due to the efforts of our very own MVs who, over the 24 hours, reached out to friends, family, and alumni. On nearly all social media websites there were calls to support the MVs, by both current members and alumni.

Through the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design, the Marching Virginians sought to knock down several funding challenges. One, the aptly named ‘Spirit of Tech Challenge,’ asked the band to reach over 425 donors, which unlocked the Jim Sochinski Spirit of Tech Award. Jim Sochinski was the second director of the MVs (1976-1981) and arranged many beloved pieces for the band. The MVs were also the recipient of the Ambassador Donor Challenge, which was awarded to the group with the highest number of donors! 

For Giving Day, the Marching Virginians set up several giveaways. For those donors first in line, 10 MV swag items were given away. This included MV beanies, gameday baseball caps, or a bag of merch! After the first hour, drawings commenced for more item giveaways, most notably some retired MV uniforms. By the conclusion of Giving Day, 16 swag items and 9 uniforms were given to our amazing donors! The director of the MVs, Dr. Polly Middleton, posted a short video on the MV Facebook page thanking everyone who was a part of Giving Day 2024.

MVs4Lyfe is an expression the band uses to say that a person will always be an MV, even after their time in band. The display of gratitude seen on Giving Day shows that MVs4Lyfe is more than words we say, it is in the actions we take. Thank you to everyone who made Giving Day a success for the MVs. 

Unsung Heroes: A Look Into Pep Band

Hokies Pep Band supports the men’s basketball team. Source: Hokies Pep Band Instagram (@hokiespepband)

While we may be in our fifth week of the semester, it goes without saying that the absence of the Marching Virginians leaves the passing of time feeling a little slow. Without daily practices, the smiling faces of our fellow bandmates, and a 7 p.m. “deuces!” in our lives each evening, the spring semester definitely leaves some longing for the return of nights in Lane. For some students, though, the fun has just begun.

Nestled in the corner of Cassell Coliseum, basketball fans and guests alike can bear witness to the Hokies Pep Band. Boasting over 100 members, the band elevates each men’s basketball home game with its pride and true Hokie spirit. Keen listeners will notice songs both new and old, some borrowed from the Marching Virginians catalog and some learned specifically for the energy Cassell brings. It’s an experience that, if you can get into Cassell, you won’t want to miss.

“Pep Band takes the musical energy of an on-field band and trades some of the rigidity in favor of allowing the ensemble to take on its own personality,” said Andrew Stewart, four-year Hokies Pep Band member and MV Tone. When I reached out to him, he made sure to emphasize how the pep band has some serious funk. “The Pep Band has a certain looseness and swagger to it that you don’t get during the marching season. Not to mention we add some awesome guitar, bass, and drum set players!” 

The Hokies Pep Band takes the condensed setting of Cassell Coliseum and runs with it. Since there aren’t as many rowdy fans as Lane Stadium in Cassell, guests are able to interact with the sounds of the pep band on a much closer level.

“In both the wind and the rhythm section, people get to have a great time by playing with the intent to make people nod their heads and stomp their feet,” says Austin Wright, Marching Virginian Sax and bass player. “Pep Band is a group of students who care not just about playing their instruments, but being a part of the wonderful atmosphere in Cassell.”

Even with the hype of a packed crowd, the synergy of the pep band is truly off the charts. Listeners can thank seasoned director and Marching Virginian aficionado Chad Reep for that. 

“We still work hard in pep band, and we sound VERY good,” said Reep. “There are less horn moves, and more individualistic movement. So the students have a little more freedom in how they want to move. Musically, though, we are still very together and uniform.” Anyone in the immediate vicinity of all things Marching Virginians know that Chad expects nothing less from his esteemed students. 

In talking to each of the Pep Band members and Reep, however, I could tell how appreciative each were that the Pep Band exists. The group was seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, a key point that was mentioned in both interviews with senior members. 

“I had the honor of joining [Pep] band in my freshman year in which we were in Cassell with maybe [one quarter] of the band in attendance for a game at a time,” Andrew said. “I’ve watched the band transform from a fairly empty stadium to performing on a national stage for the women’s NCAA tournament.”

Austin echoed the same sentiment: “My freshman year, the pep band essentially did not exist due to Covid…[we] had to be a much smaller unit.”

Now, however? It’s like night and day. The band is like a massive wall of sound cascading over the seats that ring Cassell Coliseum. Yet, to Reep, the motivation stays the same.

“Both Marching Band and Pep Band provide an amazing collegiate atmosphere for our college athletics, and even though they may be a little different, they are still a part of the same family. We are here to provide entertainment to the college crowds and support our Hokies!”

Catch the Hokie Pep Band on Monday, February 19th at their next home game as the men’s basketball team takes on in-state rival and 21st ranked Virginia at 7:00 p.m.

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Ashley White: How Creating “Marching with the Virginians” Shaped my Career

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In this post, Ashley White, color guard alumna, remembers and honors where her passion for showcasing her creativity came from, Marching with the Virginians!

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Did you know that over half of college graduates have a job that is NOT directly related to their field of undergraduate study? I haven’t been able to find any peer-reviewed research on what percentage of those graduates discovered their eventual career path because of marching band, but I can confidently tell you that it’s greater than zero! As an incoming freshman at Virginia Tech back in 2016, I was convinced that my chosen major, Marketing Management, would follow me through my entire life; I loved my marketing classes! In other words, when I created the Marching with the Virginians blog in the fall of 2018, I wasn’t expecting it to change my life.

Ashley capturing photos for the band during the March to Victory, 2019. Photo credit: Ashley White

In many ways, I was putting my marketing brain to work when I came up with the idea for a Marching Virginians blog: I saw it as an opportunity to attract prospective students! While the band does have a loud and impressive presence in the Hokie community as The Spirit of Tech, there is so much that happens behind the scenes to make that spirit come to life - and to me, that is what makes the band so special. I saw a need for a channel to broadcast the moving stories of teamwork and friendship that I was seeing on a weekly basis, especially for high schoolers that were considering Virginia Tech or accepted freshmen that were considering auditioning for the MVs. The more I thought about it, I realized that these stories would likely also appeal to alumni, parents, Hokie sports fans, and more. I reached out to Dr. Polly Middleton, Director of Athletic Bands, and presented her with my idea: a blog written by Marching Virginains to showcase the MV Experience. To my great delight, Polly was completely supportive of the idea, and empowered me to design and manage the blog. 

Ashley posing with Jim Sochinski, former Director of the Marching Virginians, after interviewing him for a project. Photo credit: Ashley White

Once I had the green light, things moved quickly. I worked with Linda Corell, who was the MVAA Online Content Officer at the time (and is now the President!), to create the Marching with the Virginians and Meet the Bloggers webpages. Meanwhile, I shared a blogger application with my fellow MVs. I reviewed the writing samples and selected an initial team of excellent writers who represented a variety of different sections, academic years, and majors. I also created a schedule and process for the writing team: writers would submit their topics to me for approval, draft the piece by a given deadline, and then send it to me for editing. After editing, I would design and publish the blogs on our new site keeping up a weekly cadence. As a nineteen-year-old, I was truly honored and humbled by the entire experience. It was so encouraging to have been given the trust and support that I needed to turn my idea into reality. All that was left was to announce the blog to the public and begin publishing stories! 

In October of 2018, I invited the MV community to “March Along With Us!” as we debuted Marching with the Virginians, and I had the honor of publishing the blog’s first post, A Team That Spins Together…, later that week (my name was Ashley Deans at the time!). I continued writing for, editing, and managing the blog until I graduated in the spring of 2020. Unsurprisingly, the blog meant a lot to me! What was surprising was how much I enjoyed writing and editing. I found myself genuinely looking forward to editing the latest blog post each week, and I was turning in my own pieces ridiculously early. I followed that gut feeling, and I began pursuing any communications-related opportunities I could find at Tech and through internships. My senior year, I became the Marching Virginians’ student Public Relations Officer, which gave me even more opportunities to explore this newfound passion for communications. The MVs are a huge organization with far-reaching influence, so the experience was truly invaluable. Some of my most treasured experiences were doing PR for projects like Hokies for the Hungry and Giving Week, that created measurable impact for the band and community. Even though I was learning so many new things and taking risks, it always felt comforting to know that the members of this organization had my back.

Katie Greh (left) and Ashley (right) collecting cans in the rain for Hokies for the Hungry. Photo credit: Ashley White

As I approached graduation, I knew I had a choice to make. Did I stick to applying for jobs that exclusively used my marketing degree, or did I take a chance and apply for jobs in communications? I’m sure you can guess that I took that chance… and it paid off! I got a job after graduation at a Duke University research lab as a Communications Specialist. Now, I am working in customer communications for Bandwidth, Inc., a global telecommunications company. I am lucky enough to say that I truly love my job, and it’s surreal to know that if it weren’t for Marching with the Virginians, I probably wouldn’t be here. Even several years and a graduate degree later, I’m using skills that I learned during my time as a Marching Virginian.

Alison Ritz (left) and Ashley (right) captured by Hokie Vision during their final halftime performance in Lane Stadium. Photo credit: Ashley White

Ashley White - Alumni Blogger and Online Content Officer of the MVAA Board of Directors

What Makes a Manager

A lot of time when a Hokie pictures the Marching Virginians, they see the big VT on our uniforms, or our awesome music in the stands or on the field. They might remember our music that we perform on the field, or the silly dances that we do in the stands. However, there is one section in particular that we would be lost without, and they are our managers!

The manager section doesn’t march with us on the field, but their job is to work behind the scenes to make sure everything is running smoothly. You may have to work a little harder to find one of our managers on game day since they’re always running around on a mission to help an MV. This week I got to interview a couple of the managers and their favorite head manager, Sarah-Faith! I was so happy to get to know them and get a glimpse into what it was like being a manager!

Sarah-Faith is the boss of the section, and her job is to oversee each job within the section. They are always ready to help someone in need, whether that be one of the MVs, a manager, or even Dr. Polly!

Hi, Sarah-Faith! Photo credit: MV Online Content

What are your jobs during a rehearsal at the MVC?

I try to keep everything from going absolutely haywire! A typical day for me includes setting out yard markers, water, unlocking things, sound system, and preparing for game day! On Fridays before game days, we do game day chats, where we make sure everything is in place for the next day. We also get to go on super secret missions during rehearsal for Dr. Polly, which is fun and often also involves food runs! What does a typical gameday look like for your section?

What does a typical game day look like for your section?

We get there 15-30 minutes before everyone else and the first order of business is to get the MVC field set up, load the golf carts, and start getting equipment down to Lane Stadium. I’m the one in charge of the golf cart (boss perks!), running back and forth from Lane Stadium while a couple other managers hold down the fort at the MVC!

Once we’ve made it to Lane Stadium for game day, we split up into our specific halftime groups and get prepared for halftime! We have two groups for plumes, and one for podiums, which rotate each game. At the beginning of the season, everyone gets put into a group with a designated group leader. These group leaders help facilitate things, while I choose which group I want to be in for halftime after making sure the others are all situated. 

After halftime, we finish the game and pack up the golf carts to go back to the MVC! We put everything away, sometimes have a team meeting, and then go home!

The thing that makes half time work is a comprehensive google document we have for each game. All the details and times for everything are on there, and we go over it each Friday before a game. By mid-season, game days are second nature. If anyone has any questions, they can consult the document, ask their group leader, then ask me! We work as a team that all want to help each other succeed. 

Why did you decide to become a manager? 

The first answer is that I didn’t make the saxophone section. I became a manager because I wanted to be involved in the band in any way I could. I had already met some really cool people during band camp that I wanted to continue to form relationships with. I kept coming back because I enjoyed the work I was doing. The managers that came in with me, Andrew and Brandon, are truly pinnacles of my college experience. I have learned a lot of communicable skills, such as organization, working under pressure, managing a lot of materials, etc., that I knew would carry me far as a person. I would make the same choice a thousand times over. 

Hi, Connor! Photo credit: MV Online Content

 One of the managers, Connor Stein, has absolutely loved being apart of the MV Manager section! Here are some of the questions I got to ask him about his time in the MVs.

What are your jobs during a rehearsal at the MVC? 

Before practice starts, we take care of setting up the field by putting out field markers, getting jugs of water filled and placed around the field, and setting up the sound for the directors to talk to the whole band for corrections and announcements! During practice, we are much more laid back since we do not have immediate duties, but we will help when needed. For example, we will run batteries up the tower if microphones die, we will help with small medical issues involving band-aids, headaches, etc., and head to various locations (like Lane Stadium, the uniform place, and the directors’ offices). We also help percussion when they transition from concert arcs to marching by getting their music stands off the field and back into the practice rooms. At the end of practice, we pick up everything we got out at the beginning of practice and close the gates to the practice field. 

What does a typical game day look like for your section? 

During game day, we will load various equipment onto the golf carts and drive them down to Lane Stadium, monitor bathrooms to ensure tailgaters do not go in, and stay at the practice field during rehearsal in case someone needs anything along with setting up the field like a usual practice. We also help with lunches by setting up the tables with food in an organized-ish fashion. When we do “March to Victory,” most of us will walk on the outside of the band and three-to-four of us will stay back to lock up the Marching Virginians Center (MVC). During games, we will be a cheer squad with goofy dances till halftime. We will help with distributing plumes and setting up the podium on the field. Nearing the end of the game, about three of us will head back to unlock the MVC for the band. Once the game ends, we will reload the golf carts and unload them at the MVC. 

Why did you decide to become a manager? 

I joined to get closer to my roommates with a common interest, and I ended up getting closer to, not only my roommates, but other people who I never would have met outside of the marching band. 

Hi, Alex! Photo credit: MV Online Content

The last (but certainly not least) of the managers that I got to interview this week is Alex Haynes!

What are your jobs during a rehearsal at the MVC?

We generally arrive 15 minutes earlier than the rest of the band each practice (typically 30 minutes earlier on game days) and leave about 15 minutes after the band leaves. All this time is used to unlock the MVC and the field, place field markers, water jugs, a second drum major podium if needed, and set up the mics for the drum majors and the directors. We usually assist drumline in carrying music stands off the field when the band sets up for drill.

During practice is always a good opportunity for us to complete tasks given by the directors, such as counting out swag for inventory and helping with H4TH!

 What does a typical game day look like in your section?

On game days, we split into two teams: the Lane team and the MVC team. The Lane team loads golf carts full of equipment, color guard poms, drum stands, and apples to go to Lane Stadium. The MVC team guards the tower and the bathrooms from non-MV affiliates. Once lunch is over and the band puts on uniforms to prepare for the march to victory, we march in pairs alongside the band. In the stadium, we sit behind the guard and we cheer alongside them. At halftime, we split into different roles. One role is in charge of the drum major podium, one is in charge of distributing apples and extra water, and two are in charge of distributing plumes. At the end of the game, we take everything back to the MVC in the golf carts, put everything away, and, win or lose, we call it a good game day.

Why did you decide to become a manager?

I decided to become a manager because, although I didn't get to perform on the field this season due to audition cuts, I still wanted to be part of the band and help out the MVs! The managers are just as much part of the band as any section and are just as important. I also use some of my free time to practice and keep my chops up to get ready for next season's auditions!

This week I was so excited to be able to interview and get to know the manager’s section a little bit better; they are the section that many forget to consider when they think of the band. We wouldn’t really be the MVs without our managers, though! They are the wind beneath our wings, and they work tirelessly to help each of the marchers become better each day.

Service in the Spring

The photos in this post document some of the ways the Marching Virginians have given service, both recent and long ago. Take some time to learn the impact the band has had and do your part to help others. 

For many MVs, the spring semester feels like a coin flip. No daily practices, no weekend games, and not seeing your friends every day is a new and unusual feeling for the members of the band. Yet the MVs are still brought together this semester by a core value: service. One of the most important aspects of the Marching Virginians is our commitment to service. In this blog post, we will detail an upcoming MV Service Project and advertise other projects around campus that MVs can do together!

Starting off is the chief MV Service Project: Blood Drive! On Tuesday April 23, from 11-5, the MVs will be hosting a blood drive in the GLC Multipurpose Room. For this event, there are two ways in which the MVs can help: 1) Sign up to be a volunteer at this event or 2) Donate Blood! As a volunteer at this event, you would help with sign-ins, setting up the room, and any other tasks the mobile Red Cross unit might need. If you plan to donate whole blood (standard blood donation), you are eligible if you have not donated in the previous 8 weeks, in good health, at least 16 years old, and weigh at least 110 lbs. Volunteering in either role, or even both, would be unbelievably helpful. Just recently, the Red Cross reported a 20-year low point for the number of donors and is facing an emergency blood shortage. 

Another service activity is The Big Event! The Big Event is an annual day of volunteering around the Blacksburg community as a way for the students of Virginia Tech to thank the town. Individuals come together as a team and are given an assignment in the nearby area. It is tradition within the band for sections, or ranks, to form their own teams. Registration for The Big Event is not open at this time, but you can start thinking about teams to make! More information can be found here: https://vtbigevent.org/ and here: https://engage.vt.edu/programs/bigevent.html. 

Outside of these great projects, there are many places to volunteer in the surrounding area. Virginia Tech maintains a list through their VT Engage website. ‘Habitat for Humanity,’ ‘Kids Can Write,’ and ‘Literacy Volunteers of the New River Valley’ are just a few of the non-VT programs described. This info can be found at: https://engage.vt.edu/about/opportunities-outside-vt-engage.html. 

Though we may not march and play in the spring, the Spirit of Tech is still a presence on campus. Doing our part to help others; to make another person’s day better. These are actions we can always take and are a key part of the band. From Hokies for the Hungry to The Big Event, the MVs value service year-round.