Metallica! - VT vs. Syracuse

Exit light

Enter night

Take my hand

We’re off to never-never land

“Enter Sandman,” Metallica

Well, the MVs were off to Lane Stadium; not quite neverland. This particular game, Virginia Tech was up against Syracuse University, and it was scheduled for a Thursday. It was definitely odd to wake up and attend class and then be zipping up our uniforms eight hours later. Nevertheless, it was gameday. We had a game to win!

Fireworks! (MV Online Content)

First Half

The first half was off to a great start as Hokie kicker John Love scored a 43-yard field goal, putting Virginia Tech in the lead at 3-0 against Syracuse. With six minutes left on the clock, running back Malachi Thomas made a 16-yard pass to wide receiver Da’Quan Felton. And with just under two minutes left in the first quarter, Love scored a 32-yard field goal, putting the Hokies in the lead at 13-0. Virginia Tech hit the ground running in the second quarter with another field goal by Love, putting the score at 16-0. Felton then makes a 62-yard pass from quarterback Kyron Drones. With the score now at 23-0, kicker Brady Denaburg from Syracuse scores a 43-yard field goal, giving the opposing team 3 points. Virginia Tech quickly speeds ahead with running back Bhayshul Tuten scoring a 3-yard touchdown.

A beautiful gameday sunset! (MV Online Content)

Halftime

It was now time for the Hokies to take a break off the field, and they very nicely handed the field over to the Marching Virginians. This show was extra special because we had the honor of competing against other marching bands across the United States in the Metallica Marching Band Competition: For Whom the Band Tolls! Our show consisted of famous works by the band, including “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “Fuel,” “Fade to Black,” “Sad But True,” “Wherever I May Roam,” “Creeping Death,” “Lux Æterna,” and the Hokie favorite “Enter Sandman.” The crowd in Lane Stadium during our performance even chimed in when we played “Enter Sandman!” The football team was ready to take on Syracuse for the third and fourth quarters, so we headed back up to our spot back in the stands after the show.

Hi, Hokie Bird! (MV Online Content)

Second Half

At the beginning of the second half, Virginia Tech received two points for a team safety. Soon after, Syracuse scores a touchdown, putting the score at 32-10, with the Hokies in the lead. With just 8 seconds left of the third quarter, Love scores a 24-yard field goal. The score was now 35-10. The fourth quarter stayed stagnant, with Love finishing out the game with another field goal. The Hokies won 38-10 against Syracuse.

The Hokies are now gearing up for their game against NC State on November 18th — we hope to see you there! For now, the MVs are preparing for our next performance in Lane Stadium. As always, go Hokies!

Season of Memories!

As we arrive near the end of our 50th season, here are some behind the scenes shots of the wins and losses throughout the season! With one more home game coming up on November 18th against NC State, we are getting ready to send off our seniors to bigger, greater things. Take a look at the bonds and memories made throughout our year, and we hope to see you in November. Go Hokies!

Photo Credit: MV Online Content

Traditions of the Marching Virginians!

In a band as large as the Marching Virginians, sometimes it’s hard to meet everyone. Quickly working through sets, there’s only sparing moments to exchange a friendly ‘hi’ or ‘hello.’ During sectionals, everyone is focused on the music with little time to chat and you only talk to the people in your section. So while we are a hard-working band, not everyone gets a chance to know someone from outside their section. To get to know your band-mates better, Marching with the Virginians spoke with members from a few sections and learned about their traditions.

A beautiful garden of horns! Photo credit: Beau Wong.

The Saxes - Claudia Pack

“Before every game we pass around a ball-and-cup game. Every person has to try to get it in the cup otherwise it’s bad luck for the section. If everyone gets the ball in the cup then it means we’ll win the game. It’s fun because during lunch [before march to victory] everyone comes together to focus on one little fun activity. We all get really into it, especially so when people take 17 tries…like me!”

The Horns - Wyatt Dunbar

“Horn garden is where we place our horns up front in a line by Polly before game day motorcycles. We do it because it’s a nice show of respect to Polly, who was a horn player.”

Katelyn Hudack sporting pix glitter! Photo credit: Beau Wong.

The Pix - Callie Jansen

“One fun activity we have is glitter. A few years ago, the pix started putting glitter on and around the same time we noticed our sound really started to improve. We kept doing it, and for some reason we noticed that at games we forgot to wear glitter we lost. So, it became a mainstay: If we wear glitter we win! It sometimes gets everywhere, but it’s important within our section because we’re all doing the same thing. We all have it in common and we feel closer!”

The Tones - Sean Khoshkhou

“On game day we do Tone Donuts and Tone Planes. Another thing is Apron Tuesdays, which is our most noticeable tradition, and whenever the directors say “Tone!” we raise our tones above our heads! All of what we do is important to us because it gives us unity. Doing our own things, together as a section, makes us feel special, and so we feel we have our own niche within the band.”

Knowing another section, knowing what traditions they hold close, are important because you can understand what makes that section unique. Understanding how a section stands out and what gives it character hopefully helps you appreciate it a little bit more. If this is true, then the band must feel closer, and so it will be better overall!

After reading this, we hope you care about the person marching next to you just a little bit more; we all march through life together. Take some time out of your day to learn about another section, and if you can’t find time, there’s no need to worry! More traditions will be posted soon.

Welcome Home, Hokies! - VT vs. Wake Forest

Alumna Linda Correll Dances In the Rain! - Photo Credit Macey Early

This previous week, Hokie Spirit was stronger than ever as Virginia Tech celebrated its homecoming! Kicking off Monday, a week-long series of events were held. Homecoming culminated in the parade on Friday, October 13, and the Homecoming football game against Wake Forest on Saturday, October 14.

Homecoming Parade – Friday, October 13

AJ Joseph, MV Sax, Giving a Gameday Grin - Photo Credit Macey Early

A beloved tradition by the Blacksburg community, the mile-and-a-half parade began at 7 p.m. at Lane Stadium with the Marching Virginians in the middle of the procession. Through downtown Blacksburg, the band was cheered on by riveted spectators all clapping and dancing to the beat of the MV sound. Along the way, countless people got to enjoy the MVs as they alternatingly performed the Hokie Pokie and every Hokie’s favorite song, Tech Triumph! After going down Washington Street and up Main Street, the MVs arrived at the Drillfield to perform for the homecoming pep rally. The attendees of the pep rally enthusiastically greeted the band and watched on as the MVs played through VPI and Mr. Brightside.

Homecoming Football Game Against Wake Forest – Saturday, October 14

Kicking off at 3:30 PM, the first few minutes of the game was a blow-for-blow rivalry with neither team seeming to let up. The Hokies offense pushed through and at the 10:42 mark of the second quarter, running back Bhayshul Tuten scored the Hokie’s first touchdown of the game! John Love followed with a successful kick, and six minutes later he made a 37-yard field goal. Soon after, quarterback Kyron Drones made a 75-yard pass to wide receiver Jaylin Lane with another successful kick by Love. The first half ended Wake Forest 10 to Virginia Tech 17. 

Topher Pantano, MV Bone, Cheers on The Hokies - Photo Credit Andrew Single

The halftime show by the Marching Virginians was very special for three reasons. Firstly, the MVs performed our much-loved Power Closer; a mash-up of the tunes VPI and Shenandoah. This was followed up by a special extended performance of the Hokie Pokie, in which we were joined by MV Alumni for Alumni Day. Lastly, MVs were able to assist in the presentation of the 2023 Virginia Tech Homecoming Court, during which the band played the gentle Moonlight & VPI as the nominees were led onto the field. After the crowning of the homecoming court the band performed the heartwarming Alma Mater, and finished halftime with a rousing run of Tech Triumph! 

On the way back to the stands, many MVs witnessed the Hokie football team emerge from Beamer tunnel for the third quarter. Like water bursting from a dam, the team exploded onto the field, and every MV was certain of one thing: Virginia Tech was intent on winning. This proved to be true as the Hokies defense was at its peak this season, only giving up 19 yards against Wake Forest. This was key to the Hokies victory, as Wake Forest only scored once in the second half: a 34-yard field goal at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Matching their opponents, the Hokies soon after made a 36-yard field goal. This was followed with a touchdown by a 12-yard pass from Kyron Drones to Jaylin Lane. The final score was Hokies 30 to Wake Forest 13. The Hokies will next play Syracuse on Thursday, October 26 at Lane Stadium.

Hokies Win! - VT vs. Pitt

The MV version of our great Commonwealth! Source: Macey Early

This past Saturday the Hokies were up against the Panthers, who traveled all the way to Lane Stadium from Pittsburgh, PA.! Luckily, we had super awesome weather, and the MVs were ready to perform. Typically we perform during halftime, but this game we had the exciting opportunity to march the pregame show!

This particular game was extra special because the MVs had a very special visitor come to say hello. Her name is Mrs. Letitie Clark, Ryan “Stack” Clark’s lovely mom. Stack was a member of the Marching Virginians’ Baritone section, and was a victim of the Virginia Tech shooting that took place on April 16, 2007. At every rehearsal, game day, and event that the MVs are involved in, we remember the lasting impact Stack made on our band. His spirit, energy, and loving personality are just a few of the characteristics that we as MVs hope to have just half of. The Spirit of Tech was honored on Saturday to welcome his sweet mom, Mrs. Clark, back to the Marching Virginians Center.

We were also joined by College Marching, an organization that travels across the United States promoting collegiate marching bands. The MVs were so happy to be able to meet the representatives from this awesome organization!

The Bones performing during pregame. Source: Macey Early

Here are the MVs performing for an absolutely packed Lane Stadium before kickoff! Our Pregame performance included the Superman theme, Shenandoah, our VPI Victory March, Copland Colors, the Star Spangled Banner, and every Hokie’s favorite song, Tech Triumph!

First Half

The Hokies quickly took the lead in the first quarter with a 54-yard touchdown, putting them in the lead 7-0. Pitt quickly caught up with a 75-yard pass from quarterback Phil Jurkovec to their wide receiver Bub Means. The score was now tied 7-7. Hokie quarterback Kyron Drones finished out the first quarter with a short touchdown run, putting Tech in the lead with 14-7 against Pitt. Before Halftime, the Hokies scored yet another touchdown, putting the score at 21-7.

The Highty-Tighties performance at halftime. Source: Macey Early

As the football teams took their break at the end of the second quarter, the Highty Tighties took the field to perform their halftime show! The Highty Tighties is the marching band for the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets, and it was their turn to perform last Saturday. They just amazed all of Lane Stadium with their musicality and accuracy during their show! Afterward, the football team got right back to work.

Second Half

The Hokies began the 3rd quarter with the football and quickly scored a touchdown from 10 yards out. Within just seconds Pitt’s quarterback Jurkovec passed the ball onto running back C’Bo Flemister across 61 yards, putting the score at 14-28 against Tech. Pitt then scored another touchdown, making the score 21-28. Tech quickly sped ahead, scoring another touchdown. Tech triumphed, scoring 35-21 against Pitt.

This past Saturday was such an incredible night for each of us; the MVs were so happy to be able to meet Stack’s wonderful mom, Mrs. Clark, meet representatives from College Marching, and land a win against Pittsburgh! Go Hokies!