MARCHING VIRGINIANS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

MARCHING VIRGINIANS
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
2012 Newsletter
MV
Alumni Day is Saturday October 13!
MVAA 2012
In this issue...
Page 2 - What’s New?
Dave McKee delivers updates on the past season, how
lucky he got to find a terrific new assistant director, and
what the future holds for the band!
Page 4 - MV Alumni Day 2012
Dave Whiteside, current MVAA Treasurer, writes about
what to expect for this year’s MV Alumni Band Day.
The 2012 MV Alumni Day will coincide with the Virginia
Tech v. Duke homecoming game on Saturday October
13, 2012. Kickoff is TBD.
Page 5 - Year One
Dennis Furr, the first drum major of the Marching Virginians, recalls the environment the MVs were born into.
Page 10 - MVAA Spring Retreat
Chuck Van Dyke, President of the MVAA, describes what
goes on during the annual MVAA Board of Directors
Spring Retreat.
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2012 PHOTOS
Updates from Dave
Where do I begin??
How do I summarize the
past 12 months personally and professionally,
and adequately give
credit to the people who
have made a difference
in my life? How do I
describe a vision that an
elder statesman of this university put
on my plate many years ago that may
become a reality in the not-so-distant
future? How do I begin to say “thank
you” to students, friends, supporters,
advisors, and colleagues who have
shared your passion, your vision, and
your love for an entity for which I get
to serve as a caretaker? This newsletter hardly offers enough space for
all of that, but away we go!
ABOUT A YEAR AGO
We were loading up and heading to
San Francisco for Abby’s wedding. A
year later, I sound like a broken record: very few things in life can possibly top the thrill of escorting one’s
From Top to Bottom
Tony Marinello conducting the
basketball pep band at the
University of Texas.
Meredyth and Will Petersen
celebrating their graduation
from Indiana University.
The VTubas doing the Hokie
Pokie on the field at the Sugar
Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana.
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daughter down the aisle. A super cool
experience, a super cool trip, and
more love than you could ever describe! Charlotte and I were proud
parents and loved the time with all of
our kids, including our new son-in-law,
David.
Hopefully, I’ll get to do this
again down the road, but for now –
WOW!
Within days of our return from San
Francisco, Tony Marinello was offered
a position with the Longhorn Band at
the University of Texas – most certainly an offer he couldn’t refuse. By
the end of June, he was headed to
Austin, and we were in the search for a
new assistant director. Fortunately –
also within days – we were able to
identify a most outstanding candidate
and convert her into a Hokie - more
about Polly Middleton below!
Summer is never boring in Blacksburg!!
OUR TREMENDOUS STUDENTS
Led by Executive Officer Cutter Sydnor and Drum Majors Jenna George
and John Knuteson, the 2011 MVs
were simply superb.
Seven shows,
plenty of community service, and trips
to Wake Forest and UVA (yes, we
WERE in the nosebleeds!) made for a
great season. The results from games
in Charlotte and New Orleans were not
what any Hokie would have wished,
but the MVs had two amazing trips. If
someone had told me years ago that
we’d have the opportunity to perform
FOUR TIMES at the Sugar Bowl, I
would have laughed.
Nothing compares with New Orleans for a bowl trip
and playing in the Superdome is simply awesome.
The opportunity to
share the field with one of the iconic
bands in the nation was pretty remarkable as well. Our students marched
and played at the highest possible
level. And, it was a catch!!
Cutter and John return for the 2012
season to lead the MVs, two superstars who were well prepared to lead
the MVs by one of our very own –
Doug Spruill, the long-time Director of
Bands at Poquoson High School
(Class of 1985).
Off the field, the 2011 edition of the
MVs continued to distinguish themselves through their selfless service.
The national Marching for ALS program saw less bands participate nationally, but that didn’t stop the MVs
from raising the most money! If you
missed the Pink Glove Dance production in which a large number of MVs
supported the Montgomery Regional
Hospital, you must live in a cave (or at
least not on FB or YouTube).
The
band celebrated their 15th Hokies for
the Hungry food drive as we continue
to support the work of the Montgomery County Christmas Store.
In October, with hundreds of band
parents, family members and friends in
attendance, the MVs dedicated two
specially designed trumpets in memory of Chris Osburn (you can read
about Chris in last year’s newsletter).
It was certainly one of the most
memorable MV experiences in my
memory. Those two trumpets will forever lead the run-on into the Com-
monwealth of Virginia set at pregame GRADUATING SENIORS
to remind us of Chris and the dedica- At the end of this newsletter is a list of
tion of every MV.
our graduating seniors and graduate
students. I think more of them have
UPDATE ON WILL
solid plans than at any time in the last
In May, Will Petersen was named As- five or six years. Many are headed to
sistant Director of Bands at the Uni- prestigious graduate programs or
versity of South Alabama in Mobile. highly sought-after jobs. They have
Will and Meredyth are headed down had a great run – what a bunch of talsouth this summer following three very ented folks!
productive years in Bloomington.
Meredyth completed her master’s de- HOMECOMING
gree and will be looking for a position News about MV Alumni Band Day is
as a public school band director. Will included in this newsletter. WHY NOT
(with his doctorate “VERY CLOSE”) take the opportunity to come back to
will be running one of the newest col- campus and relive (careful on the runlege marching bands in the country. on!) part of your youth! The game may
Pretty exciting stuff and we wish them not be much, but the opportunity to
the best!
play Superman and The Hokie Pokie is
always too good to pass up! See you
UPDATE ON POLLY
in October!
What a great season with our newest
assistant director, Polly Middleton! UPDATE ON A HOME FOR THE
Polly has been a tremendous contribu- MVS!
tor to the MVs after arriving in Blacks- In March of 2006, the late Bill Skelton
burg just about two weeks prior to the looked me in the eye and told me that
beginning of band camp. She never I should make the creation of a perskipped a beat. Her energy, enthusi- manent facility for the MVs a priority.
asm, and experience have been posi- Over the years, I have worked with the
tive influences on the band throughout university administration, the alumni
the year.
We had a great season board, and countless others to cultiworking together, then – before it was vate plans for a home for the MVs. No
even over – she had the basketball one has ever said this wasn’t a good
pep band up and running from Octo- idea – we just had to wait for the right
ber through March! As if that weren’t time!
enough, we team-conducted the fall
Symphony Band and her spring- Friends, we have reached THE RIGHT
semester Campus Band had over 140 TIME in the planning. In truth, we
student-musicians playing. She be- have reached a pivotal point in the
came the master organizer by “pla- history of the MVs. Within the past
tooning” the band and they played a two months, we have received apgreat spring concert! In early June, proval to begin fundraising – to collect
she presented the complete first draft COMMITMENTS for this project.
of her dissertation to her major professor at the University of Illinois!
Let me explain where we are: SECTION SPONSORS!
The saxophone section was a SPONSORED SECTION this year, thanks to
the support of Dr. David Monahan and
Dr. Katherine Lovello, proud parents of
saxophone rank captain Alex Monahan. Go ahead – SPONSOR a section
one year!
[3]
We are currently asking people to tell
us what they are willing to commit –
not a gift or a pledge, but a commitment – that means every one of us
saying “I WILL CONTRIBUTE” when
the time comes.
Based on these commitments, Dean
Sue Ott Rowlands will make a recommendation to the Provost. With her
approval, this project will go to the
Board of Visitors. With approval from A number of alumni have asked about
that body, a home for the MVs will be- “naming opportunities,” and although I
come an OFFICIAL project of the Uni- have no solid information at present, I
versity. At that point, we will
assure you that there will be many
ask you to convert your
opportunities to have many
commitment to a
names on this project.
gift or pledge.
We are just beginning
(pledges can
to have these disextend up to
cussions – and
five years!)
those discussions
won’t be finalized
When this
until we have a
becomes
budget!
an official
project, we
During the
will begin a
month of May, I
feasibility
held several
study that
“Drinks with Dave”
will determine
receptions across
the exact COST
the Commonwealth.
and a final design.
It was great to visit with
Based on estimates
so many terrific alumni
from our building comwhen there was no football
munity on campus, we believe the game going on – hard to share stories
cost for a dedicated building and field and catch up when we’re trying to
to be approximately $10M. The uni- keep Lane Stadium rocking! I hope to
versity has not committed any funds do a few more of those events in the
but they have given us a site for the coming months!
building (Chicken Hill lot across from
the South Endzone of Lane Stadium).
So, in a very large nutshell, that’s
where we stand today. I encourage
Our goal, at this point, is to collect no you to MAKE A COMMITMENT to the
less than two to three million dollars in future of the Marching Virginians by
commitments. As of today, we are contacting John King (jhking@vt.edu),
rapidly approaching the half-million the Director of Development for the
dollar mark (in just over a month!)
College of Liberal Arts and Human
Sciences, and taking part in the HISA commitment means a dollar figure TORY of your university band. John
not simply a “when the time comes” can tell you all the ins and outs of givstatement. Obviously circumstances ing. You can also review this page:
change and life happens, but if this project is going to happen, we need http://www.givingto.vt.edu/MakingAGif
everyone to join together in making a t/make-a-gift.html
commitment now.
Have a GREAT summer and I’ll look
While this facility will be completely forward to seeing many of you with
financed by private funds, it remains The Spirit of Tech.
unclear how much we (MV alumni,
families, friends, etc.) will have to
raise. To that end, I had discussions
with Recreational Sports several
months ago about sharing the use
Dave Whiteside
(and cost) of the field. Developing
partnerships across campus is someOk, it’s been 10 (15,
thing we will investigate at the highest
20,
or more) years
level.
since you’ve been back to campus or
2012 MV
Alumni Day
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to a football game. You keep telling
yourself every year you’ll go and take
the family, but never do. You blame
work, family, honey-do list, etc., but
let’s face it: YOU’RE A PROCRASTINATOR!
The first step to recovery is acknowledgement; now that we got that out of
the way, we can move on.
Think back, for a moment, when you
were in school and marching in the
MVs. Remember the week, when we
were able to tone it down a bit and
relax during rehearsals because it was
Homecoming? The show we could all
do (and probably still can) in our sleep
because we just stand there all show
while the “no-so-youngens” jumped in
around us for a song or two. Remember how much we had to help them?
But most of all, do you remember how
much fun THEY were having; even
those who came but couldn’t march?
They felt young again for a moment.
They were back in school for a moment. All other worries were gone...for
a moment. It’s what our great school
does to us every time we visit. And
since you haven’t been back in a
while, I’m very sorry you have yet to
experience that feeling. Some of us
can’t get enough of it, and for good
reason.
So, take a moment, put down the remote (I promise, no one will take it),
look your family in the eye and tell
them you’re taking them to Blacksburg
this year. There are 330 students (and
one jolly director) who say you won’t
regret it.
This year, our annual MV Alumni Day
falls on Friday & Saturday, October
12th & 13th. The game is against Duke,
who seems to give us a fit from time to
time for some strange reason, but
that’s another subject.
We have a
wonderful weekend lined up for everyone which includes plenty of face time
with Dave (not me, the other Dave…
you know, Fozzy!).
So, please visit YOUR website at
www.spiritoftech.com when the official
announcement comes out in the upcoming weeks. All the details will be
there. Otherwise, we may have to
start putting your pictures on the side
of the bass drums saying, ‘Have you
seen this MV?’
GO HOKIES!
Year One
Dennis Furr
If you were around in
1974, you encountered a
period that contained
great change and excitement. Richard Nixon
resigned as President
and Gerald Ford was in
the White House with
Nelson Rockefeller as
the Vice President. The Vietnam War
just ended and left a sour taste with
many Americans. An oil embargo was
also ending. The speed limit was lowered to 55 miles per hour, except for
my roommate. Daylight savings time
was extended for the entire year to
save energy. And most important of
all, the Marching Virginians took the
field for the very first time.
I recently received a copy of the first
halftime show. Boy did it help my gray
haired head remember a few important
details. We marched our first halftime
show with a group of folks that were
marching together for the first time.
For the record, we were 200 strong
(the strong may have been in the eye
of the beholder). We did a chair step
eight to the five routine. None of us
were experienced college marchers.
We were all new to a program that was
not exactly popular with the entire
school. We did not have seasoned
section leaders with a history to fall
back on. Don’t get me wrong, there
existed a wealth of talent and several
members came from champion high
school bands with great playing ability.
We also had excellent twirlers and a
very nice number of flag corps supporting the program. Our uniforms
were brand new with Virginia Tech on
both shoulders. We wore spats from
the very beginning. This was a new
experience for me. I used a yard and
a quarter Mace and a very loud whistle to signal the band.
PHOTOS FROM ‘74
What we did have was a band director from Purdue University. He set his
face like a flint despite the challenges
he faced. This was a major undertaking for him. To start a civilian band at
a school with a rich history of military
support at a time when most of the
country did not look kindly toward
ROTC or the military was a huge uphill battle.
I honestly do not remember a single
practice in a thunderstorm that year. I
know it sprinkled a couple of times,
but I never really thought about the
importance of a band room. Looking
back, it would have been nice to have
a place to keep the instruments and
uniforms. I lived in Ambler-Johnston
so I was right next to the stadium.
To be honest the Marching Virginians
had a very rocky start and it is amazing to see the quality program that
exists today. I get excited when I
hear the current band play and fill the
stadium with sound. I’m also thankful
to see the support the MV’s are receiving.
MV Alumni Day 2012
v.
Saturday October 13, 2012
[5]
The mace Dennis used to signal the band.
The band marching near the
old Fighting Gobbler scoreboard.
Dennis leading the band onto
the field.
Introducing Jeremey Falkenau and Catching Up With Past Spirit of Tech Award Winners
2012 Winner Jeremey Falkenau
Hello MV Nation! My name is Jeremey Falkenau and I am
the recipient of the 2012 James R. Sochinski Spirit of Tech
Award. What a year it has been! The 2011-2012 season
was my fourth in the trumpet section and third as rank captain. Who knew that this season would lead us to the
streets of New Orleans?! Before boarding the bus in NOVA
in early January, I ended 2011 by completing my degree
and walking in December! My final hurrahs with the MVs
were lived out on the streets of New Orleans for the Sugar
Bowl and in Atlanta for the ACC Men's Basketball Championship. I can't believe my time as a student at Tech has
come to a close. At the beginning of the summer I received
"Birthright" through an organization called Taglit and was
able to experience a 10 day trip to Israel (I just got back to
the US on the 20th of May). That was an experience of a
lifetime!! Now, I am currently residing in good ol' Blacksburg until the lease on my apartment runs up in mid July.
After that I plan on going wherever a new job or school dictates. Until then I am delivering sandwiches for Jimmy
Johns and perpetually applying to jobs and graduate programs within the realm of natural resources (Anybody looking for a graduate with a B.S. Forestry: Environmental Resource Management?). I recently had an interview with the
Boy Scouts of America for a District Executive position
which would put me somewhere in the Richmond or Winchester areas. Fingers are crossed for something to come
along! I hope to see everyone at Alumni Band Day in October! GO HOKIES!!
2011 Winner Kaley Thacker
Since graduating from Tech I have been very busy! Last
summer I spent most of my time getting ready for graduate
school and supervising the ACE summer camp for children
with developmental disabilities in Roanoke. The theme of
the summer was music so we had a blast, I even helped
them make their own flags and we had a marching band
day!
In August, I moved into my apartment in Radford and
started graduate school as an Occupational Therapy student! I’m a graduate assistant for the RU Honors Academy, which gives me the opportunity to work closely with
undergraduates through one on one advising. I love occupational therapy and I get more and more excited every
day that this is what I’m going to do for the rest of my life! I
volunteered this spring at Warm Hearth Village, a retirement
community beside VCOM, teaching seniors how to use a
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desktop computer and the Internet. This summer I am
completing my first fieldwork experience at the Adult Day
Services center in Wallace Hall on VT’s campus! There I
work with seniors who have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and weekly teach a therapeutic gardening course.
Last fall I experienced my first season as the Flag Instructor for the Glenvar HS Marching Highlanders in Salem, VA
and I’m thrilled to be joining them again this season. I have
one flag girl trying out for MV Flags this fall! I’ve also spent
the last year dating the GHS band director Zac Sweeney
and couldn’t be more thrilled to attend band concerts,
band trips, and fundraisers with such a wonderful guy by
my side! I’m thrilled to see what the future holds as I continue to work towards my goal to be a Pediatric Occupational Therapist and help to nurture and build the band
program at GHS! Can’t wait for football season to start up
again and to participate in MV Alumni Day this season! Go
HOKIES!
2010 Winner Katie Zimmerman
I am living in "the other 'burg": Lynchburg VA that is. I am
in my last year of graduate school for my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Lynchburg College. I am currently
in the midst of my acute care rotation at Lynchburg General
Hospital and loving every minute of it.
I see many different patients in the hospital, but my main
focus is treating total hip and knee replacements. Physical
therapy really has been my way to carry on the Spirit of
Tech to each patient that I serve.
2009 Winner Stephen Shelburne
I currently work as the Choral Director at Brooke Point High
School in Stafford, Virginia. This past year marks my second year in that role, in which I have the opportunity to
educate about 90 kids in six different classes. I also cosponsor the school’s Modern Music Masters (Tri-M) Honor
Society alongside the band director. While not currently
performing with an instrumental ensemble, I do teach private saxophone lessons to a few students and I assist with
the band program at Brooke Point. This summer will mark
my seventh year working for Mid-Atlantic Band Camps
where I provide oversight to a portion of the counseling
staff, and also work as a member of the drum major instructional staff.
pany working in the healthcare field. In 2011, we completed a brand new hospital in Virginia Beach and have
since begun a large hospital renovation/expansion in
Norfolk. The field of construction management can be difficult at times, but it is also extremely rewarding being able
to physically see and touch something that was conceived
in someone's mind and now exists in real life. My college
sweetheart and fellow MV alto sax, Krista, and I bought a
house in Chesapeake together in March, 2011 and were
married in July, 2011. Our wedding party consisted of 10
other Hokies, 6 of which were MVs. Since then we have
been loving the married life and are currently looking to
become dog owners. I still pick up the ole' saxophone
every so often to either play in the church praise band, play
at my grandmother's 90th birthday party, or, of course, play
at alumni band day. Krista and I make it to Blacksburg for
football games as much as possible to still live vicariously
through the ever dwindling number of friends we have that
are still in school. Love to all of my fellow Hokies. If you
are ever in the 757, the door's always open.
2007 Winner Megan McCollough
I passed the Professional Engineer (P.E.) exam in April 2011
and currently work for Williamsburg Environmental Group,
Inc. (WEG) out of the Stafford, Virginia office. September
will mark my fifth year with the company, and during that
time I’ve been able to work on a variety of projects mostly
within the Commonwealth, but a few straying up into Maryland and south into North Carolina. The main focus of my
recent projects has been stormwater management (using
both conventional measures and low impact development
design) as it relates to transportation projects, but I’ve enjoyed contributing to stream restoration designs, dam rehabilitation and design plans, and erosion and sediment
control plans, just to mention a few recent highlights. I currently supervise a fellow Hokie and in a few short weeks
will begin working with an intern who is joining us from the
University of Central Florida.
When I’m not working with WEG, I’m assisting with the
Brooke Point Band program in Stafford. This upcoming
season will mark my second year as Assistant Marching
Band Director. I’ve had an absolute blast providing help in
leadership training and contributing to the instruction of
both music and marching to the kids in the program. We
sent two Brooke Point alumni into the MVs this past fall,
Outside of teaching, I currently perform with Soundworks, and I’m hoping for a few more to join in the next year or
a men's a cappella ensemble, in Richmond, Virginia. We two.
recently performed at the Barbershop Harmony Society’s
Mid-Atlantic District Southern Division Convention in Ro- 2006 Winner Amber Stroup
anoke, Virginia and placed second out of twelve choruses. Since receiving the JRS Spirt of Tech award, I graduated
from Virginia Tech with a degree in Biochemistry with minors in Biology and Chemistry. I continued my education in
2008 Winner Joshua Seager
Blacksburg at Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic
Greetings from Chesapeake, Virginia. Since graduating in Medicine in 2006, receiving my medical degree as a Doctor
2008, I have been working for a general contracting com- of Osteopathy in 2010. As all medical students undergo the
[7]
Spring of their fourth year, I was matched to a residency
program to continue my training. I chose a combined program in both Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Geisinger
Medical Center in Danville, Pennsylvania. I am currently
weeks away from starting my third year of residency training and plan to return to the South after my four years are
complete to officially start my career. Danville is a small
community which happens to have a large health system
that supports a significant number of the population in central PA. For reference's sake, we are a short distance from
State College and Pottsville, home of Yuengling. If I am not
in the hospital, you can find me in Pittsburgh visiting my
significant other and fellow Virginia Tech alumnus, Josh.
We're looking forward to hosting a number of Hokies and
Marching Virginian Alumni at the rematch of VT versus Pitt
during this upcoming football season. Otherwise, I hope to
see fellow alumni at other VT football games this year! I will
never forget my memories as a Marching Virginian and
have formed lifelong friendships because of it. I still tell
people I meet that joining was one of the best decisions I
ever made in college!
ning, and have completed my first two 5ks, with a few
more coming up.
2003 Winner Julian Davis
Hello again M.V. nation! I guess the last time that we talked
I was in Amherst at the University of Massachusetts in a
bio-mechanics post-doc. I was studying the mechanics of
bite force generation in bats and monkeys using numerical
models. Where am I now? Well, I am STILL doing my best
to avoid the real world, as best I can.
I am currently nestled in the outskirts of a southwest Indiana city, Evansville, near the Ohio River. I finished my postdoc at UMass in the summer of 2010 and I am now an Assistant Professor of Engineering at the University of Southern Indiana. The university is small; about 10,000 students.
Our focus at this university is mainly teaching. I have the
privilege to teach the gamut of mechanical engineering
classes, from freshman level classes all the way to senior
level classes. I have the opportunity to influence young
minds (I know . . . dangerous . . . for THEM - right?), and
excite them about engineering. In the fall I will be starting
my third year in the position, and so far I have really enjoyed the challenges I’ve faced and the philosophical con2005 Winner Linda Gross Correll
I received my masters in education in 2007 and just com- versations they’ve sparked with my colleagues.
pleted my 5th year with Fairfax County Public Schools. I
currently teach Biology and Human Anatomy & Physiology Although the focus is mainly teaching, I have also carved
at Chantilly High School, where I also proudly sponsor the out a small niche with a research group looking into the
Chantilly Midknight Step Team and the Class of 2013. My mechanics of butterfly wings. Working with another engihusband (MV Alumnus and fellow trombonist Paul Correll) neer and biologist at the university, we have a small team
and I live in Warrenton, VA, with 2 cats, a dog, a snake, 3 of undergraduates working with us. We are investigating
lizards, and a two week old baby girl we named Claire the relationship between a particular behavior exhibited by
the hind wings of local butterflies, and the mechanics and
Kennedy.
structure of the hind wings themselves. It’s pretty interesting stuff and I enjoy the collaboration with other professors
2004 Winner Thomas Galyen
I have been teaching band at Staunton River Middle and the students.
School in Bedford, VA since graduating from Virginia Tech
I hope that this letter finds all of the MV nation doing well. I
in 2004. I also serve as the percussion instructor for the
miss all of you very much! Go Hokies!
Staunton River High School marching band. I live in Roanoke with my wife, Mary, whom I married on June 4,
2011. Mary (Bishop) Galyen is a former clarinet rank captain and section leader. I am currently pursuing a Master’s
Degree in Music Education at Virginia Commonwealth University.
I guess it has been quite a
2004 Winner Eileen Oviatt
few years now since I last
I am currently living in Alexandria with my dog, Annie. For worked with the Marching
the past few years, I have worked as an urban planner for Virginians. For those of
the City of Alexandria, but recently transferred to a man- you old enough to reagement analyst position with the Department of Real Es- member, I was the Assistate Assessments. I am also working on my master’s de- tant Director of the Marching Virginians from 1994-2005. I
gree in special education with focuses in severe disabilities went to a bunch of football games, rehearsed hundreds of
and assistive technology. Because working full time and Marching Virginians’ tunes, sweated in Cassel Coliseum
going to school isn’t enough to keep me busy, I also volun- during band camp, got regularly sunburned, and froze my
teer with Special Olympics, and am a member of the area rear end off more times than I could count. I even recouncil for Northern Virginia. In what little free time I have hearsed drill. Once. In other words, it was a heck of a
remaining, I’m trying to convince myself that I enjoy run- great time! Along the way I made lots of great friends, and
I have many wonderful memories of working with Dave
Catching Up
with Jay Crone
[8]
McKee and all of the hundreds of students who passed cerned, legacies are most often thought of as those who
through the Marching Virginians during my time with the follow in their parent’s and grandparent’s footsteps by atband.
tending the same university or participating in the same
fraternity or sorority. Virginia Tech enjoys a tradition of faWhile I was working with the Marching Virginians I also
found time to help my wife Betsy have three beautiful chil- milial legacies as do many fine institutions. At least two
dren. The oldest, Hannah (first Sugar Bowl) is now 16 ingredients are necessary to foster a lasting legacy – greatyears old and will be attending the Southwest Virginia Gov- ness and longevity. The tradition of the Marching Virginiernor’s School for Math and Science next year. My middle ans was started in 1974 and has only grown in popularity,
child, Will, 14, is a regular at all Hokie football home games generosity, and excellence. Now that the band has been
and is an expert on all statistics related to Hokie football. doing great things for almost 40 years, the second ingrediJust ask him!
Sam, our youngest, will be attending
ent is beginning to come into play.
Blacksburg Middle School in the fall as a sixth grader. If
you were in the band in 1994, you are probably feeling old,
As MV alumni grow up, get married, start families of their
by now! Along the way, my wife and children rescued a
couple of largely lovable and very slobbery boxers. After own, and continue to make annual pilgrimages to Blacksseveral home improvement projects, we still live happily in burg each fall, it’s only natural that their children become
enamored with the sights and sounds of the biggest and
the Westover Hills area of Blacksburg.
best marching band in the Commonwealth. That fascinaIn 2007 I became the head of the Department of Music, in tion and love of band is reinforced during each Alumni Day
addition to continuing my teaching in the low brass area. I performance when MV alumni kids are allowed to march
have continued to perform regularly, winning the Principal
and play with the full band during halftime. I have greatly
Trombone position with the Roanoke Symphony in 2010,
and I also perform in summer music festivals in Winter- enjoyed this experience for the past 5 years as both of my
green and Harrisonburg, Virginia. I performed several re- sons have marched with me. That joy turned to immense
citals in England in 2011, and in May of 2012 I performed pride this past fall as I marched beside my oldest son durand taught at the national conservatory in Quito, Ecuador, ing his freshman year with the MVs - Dave’s first legacy. I
along with some of my Virginia Tech colleagues. I am look forward to the coming years, marching each fall with
thankful that Virginia Tech makes these exciting opportuni- my sons and daughter as they progress through middle
ties available to their faculty. If you are interested, you can
fi n d m o r e a b o u t m y p r o f e s s i o n a l l i f e a t school band, high school band and on through the Marching Virginians.
http://eportfolio.music.vt.edu/jaycrone/
Just about every university commencement speech these
days tells graduates to take chances and not be afraid of
failure. Back in early 1994 Betsy and I took a chance and
accepted a position at Virginia Tech, moving all the way
across the country to a new job in an unfamiliar place, far
away from family and friends. We think it has worked out
wonderfully. Virginia Tech and the Department of Music
have been great places to have a career in higher education, and Blacksburg, Virginia is a wonderful place to live
and raise a family.
With every passing year, the Marching Virginians welcome
an average of 100 freshmen into the band and say goodbye to a roughly equal number of graduating seniors; that’s
almost 4,000 students over the past 38 years passing
through the ranks of the Marching Virginians. How many
more legacies will the MVs see in the coming years? I’m
looking forward to seeing many, many more…
Marching Virginian
Legacies: A Growing
Tradition
Mark Wilson
Webster defines the word legacy as
something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or
predecessor from the past. As far as people are con-
[9]
MVAA Board of Directors Spring Retreat
2012
The out-of-towners arrive Friday and,
with the Inn at Virginia Tech now available, we have great accommodations
right on campus. This year, in a first,
several Board members gathered early
Chuck Van Dyke
Friday afternoon for the, hopefully anDuring my time in nual, Matt McHugh Invitational Golf
the MV’s I was Tournament. I was not able to attend
never in leader- but am pleased to report everyone
ship, not as an enjoyed themselves.
officer, a rank captain, or a section After that, in another first, we had the
leader.
I certainly opportunity to host a reception for
appreciated the effort and responsibil- graduating MVs welcoming them into
ity taken on by those individuals but the MVAA. This was held at the Inn
never really knew what happened “be- and there was a nice turnout. A light
hind the scenes” to prepare for prac- meal was served allowing all members
tices and performances. As I thought of the Board to circulate getting to
about it, I believe that could also be know the graduates. It seems the stuthe case with respect to the Board of dents keep getting smarter every year!
Directors for the Alumni Association I enjoyed the chance to meet the newest members and talk a bit about the
(MVAA). Let me try to rectify that.
Alumni Association, Virginia Tech, and
As you undoubtedly heard at a Band the working world.
Banquet, or from other MVs, or from
alumni MV friends, or from reading this Saturday is when the real work starts.
Newsletter, you are a member of the We meet for breakfast as a group and
MVAA as long as you either served as then head up to our meeting space to
a marching member for at least one get started promptly at 9:00. Special
full season or serve/have served as a thanks to those that served prior to me
staff member of the MVs. Behind the as we now have a structured, efficient,
scenes there is a Board of Directors and effective agenda.
for the MVAA consisting of 19 volunI don’t want to spend too much time
teer members.
I am currently the
discussing the details from the meetPresident of the Board, feel honored to
ing but there are three items that I behave been asked, and am grateful to
lieve deserve special mention. First
serve.
and foremost we were pleased that
Each Spring, generally around the end Dean Sue Ott Rowlands, Dean of the
of March, the board convenes for a College of Liberal Arts and Human
weekend retreat in Blacksburg. Not Sciences, and John King, Director of
only is it an opportunity for us to give Development for the College, were
back to the University and the MVs, able to attend. As I hope most of you
but it allows us to renew friendships, have heard (and if not please be sure
meet other alums, and reconnect with to see the video on the MVAA FaceVirginia Tech. Over the years I have book page) there is a continuing effort
been involved with the Board I have to provide a home for the MVs. Both
Dean Rowlands and John are commitgrown to really enjoy this weekend.
ted to this effort. That was evident in
their discussions with us.
[10]
As presented in the meeting we are in
a period of seeking initial support for a
Home for the MVs. January through
June of this year is the start of seeing
what might be available in terms of
financial support. If you have not done
so, and wish to, I encourage you to
contact John King by e-mail,
jhking@vt.edu, or phone, +1-540-2318734, and express your support for
this undertaking. I won’t go into more
specifics about the project here as that
information is available from your
Member-At-Large, on the MVAA Facebook page, as well as elsewhere in
this Newsletter, but I do want to express my desire to work towards this
for the MVs and I hope you will join
those of us that are already committed
to the project.
Second, we heard from both Dave
McKee and Polly Middleton with a
synopsis of the prior year as well as
plans for the upcoming year. Reviewing what has happened over the
course of the season is always interesting and reminds me of why many of
us chose to get involved in the first
place. From regular-season football
games, to Hokies for the Hungry, to
post-season games, to service projects, to Band Banquet there is much
to discuss. It is amazing all the activities taken on by the MVs during the
season and the amount they contribute to what is Virginia Tech.
And finally, this meeting is where the
groundwork is laid for Alumni Day.
There is a committee formed specifically for this event, headed by Dave
Whiteside this year. This year, as in
year’s past, we spent time reviewing
our experiences, as well as comments
from others, to understand better what
worked and what didn’t. The group is
looking to provide a satisfying experience for all attendees while at the
same time providing the right balance
between options and cost, improving
communication, and discussing hotel
arrangements. There is a lot of work
that goes into planning, coordinating,
and delivering on Alumni Day and I
hope all who attend find enjoyment in
the experience.
Time passed quickly and before we
knew it the meeting was over. I very
much appreciate the engaged participation from the Board members, their
sacrifice as volunteers, the skills they
bring, and the camaraderie of everyone involved. All Board members are
there for one reason, and that is to
provide support for the Marching Virginians. That thought is ever present
in our discussions and decisions. If
you have any questions or concerns
please feel free to contact your
Member-At-Large or bring it up to any
member of the Board.
Touching Lives
Paul Correll
In keeping with the tradition
that is the Spirit of Tech and
the motto of the great university we all love, Ut Prosim, the MVs
continue to be a world class ensemble
both on and off the field. This past
year was one of the most remarkable
years for service projects.
v o r a n d f o l l o w t h i s l i n k you know these statistics about last
(http://pinkglovedance.com/competitio season?
n/entry-101). It will make your day!
• Over 400 students came to band
The MVs raised over $5,000 to aid
camp and every section in the band
Morgan Zaffino, a two-year old who
made cuts
lost an arm and leg in a tragic accident
at home. Morgan is the cousin of a • We were 352 strong and represented
current fifth-year student.
18 states—82% of the band is from
Virginia
The MVs performed in the annual
Band-A-Rama which provided funding • Dave McKee completed his 28th year
to support scholarships and travel
as director of the Marching Virginiawards to allow students to participate
ans
in musical enrichment activities, such
as Summer festivals, masterclasses, • Arranger and former director James
and professional conferences.
The
Sochinski completed his 34th year at
MVs also performed at the Band-AVirginia Tech
Rama Reprise which was held during
the Virginia Tech Honor Band week- • Polly Middleton completed her first
end.
year as assistant director of the
Marching Virginians
The MVs dedicated two gold-bell
trumpets in a moving ceremony honor- • Each show requires over 5,000 maning Chris Osburn. These trumpets will
hours resulting in a total of 35,000
be carried by senior members of the
hours (four years) on the field
trumpet section and will split the 50
yard line in the "State of VA" formation • Over one third of the band are engiduring the pre-game performance.
neering majors—NOT music majors
The 15th annual Hokies for the Hungry
canned food drive raised 5,791 cans
of food and over $6,000 in cash for the
Montgomery County Christmas Store.
The Battle of the Techs Blood Drive
continued for a third year with the
Ramblin Wreck from Georgia Tech
besting the MVs this year. Together
the bands have collected over 300
units of blood in three years.
In addition to the many performances
in support of athletic events, the MVs
also performed at the Capital Campaign Closing Celebration, Admissions
The MVs came in first out of twelve Open House, Craig County High
bands in raising money for the March- School football game, and local eleing for ALS campaign.
The MVs mentary schools.
raised $20,661, and over $58,000 was
raised nationwide.
MV Fun Facts
About 50 MVs supported the efforts of
LewisGale Hospital Montgomery in
their Pink Glove dance video. If you
have not seen it yet, do yourself a fa-
Polly Middleton
You know that the
Marching Virginians
are special, but did
[11]
5%4%
7%
33%
7%
20%
23%
College of Engineering
College of Liberal Arts & Human Sciences
College of Science
College of Agriculture & Life Science
Pamplin College of Business
University Studies
College of Architecture & Urban Studies
Graduate School
College of Natural Resources & Environment
Along Came Polly
Polly Middleton
It’s ironic that I’m writing this article
sitting in the head counselor’s office at
the Indiana University Summer Music
Clinic in Bloomington, Indiana. It was
in this office a year ago that former
assistant director of the Marching Virginians, Will Petersen, asked me if I
would be interested in working at Virginia Tech.
I taught high school band in Plainfield,
Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, for four
years following my undergraduate
education. After teaching I went to
Indiana University for a masters degree in conducting. I completed the
coursework for my doctoral degree in
Music Education at the University of
Illinois before arriving at Virginia Tech.
I am currently working on my dissertation and WILL have it done this summer.
My year at Virginia Tech has allowed
me to be a part of a really special program. I have loved meeting alumni and
students. The students are what really
make this job special. I hope I have
the chance to have as great an impact As with members of other service oron them as they have had on me.
ganizations, our time spent at Virginia
Tech was the beginning of a lifetime of
service and leadership, not the culmination. Today, those values continue
Steve Eldridge
to resonate with alumni of our chapters emerging as leaders in law enOne of the
forcement, the military, music educaawesome
tion, non-profit organizations, and
things about
other fields of public service. That
student life at
enduring culture of service is also
Virginia Tech is
manifested in the many alumni we
the abundant
have heard from in recent months
opportunities to serve. Kappa Kappa inquiring about how the Fraternity and
Psi and Tau Beta Sigma are unique Sorority alumni can contribute as a
among student organizations in their group to the Marching Virginians’
exclusive focus on service to univer- building project. It’s exciting to see so
sity bands.
Formed at Oklahoma many Marching Virginian alumni, reState University in 1919 and Texas cent and not so recent, so enthused
Tech in 1939 respectively, both Kappa about creating a facility for the current
Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma share a band. From humble beginnings less
common history and culture of service than forty years ago to a dedicated
and leadership. At Virginia Tech, both on-campus facility would be a heck of
organizations date back only to the an accomplishment. These are truly
late 1970s, not long after the Marching exciting times for the entire Marching
Virginians were created. On a campus Virginians family.
dating back 140 years, the Marching
Virginians and everything derived from
it are truly the new kids in town.
That I May Serve
He told me a lot about the job and
said over and over: “It’s the best job.
You would love it. You would love
working with Dave!” Will was right—
my year at Tech has been the best experience I could have hoped for. My
colleagues are fantastic and working
with Dave has made me a better
teacher, musician, and band director. I
know that I will continue to grow under
his mentorship.
I am from Normal, Illinois and attended
the University of Illinois as an undergraduate. I was the drum major and
administrative assistant of the Marching Illini, and I directed the Orange and
Blues Band that played for volleyball
games, pre-season basketball games,
and promotional events.
Will wasn’t the only former assistant
director of the Marching Virginians I
knew.
As a drum major with the
Marching Illini I performed at the 2002
Sugar Bowl against LSU.
At that
game I met the LSU drum major, Tony
Marinello. I certainly never expected
to cross paths with him again and it
was a surprise to see him when I
came to VT in July to interview for the
job.
Service to university bands takes on a
variety of forms, but for the members
of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta
Sigma often it is unglamorous, lowprofile grunt work: equipment and
other miscellanea need to be moved
from Point A to Point B and then returned to Point A, a student recital
needs ushers, copies need to be made
and envelopes stuffed, etc.
Other
times, a service project can take on a
life of its own, like Hokies for the Hungry evolving from a Tau Beta Sigma
membership candidate project to a
University level event. Whatever the
project, what starts out as something
that sounds like “work” usually turns
out to be a lot of fun.
[12]
Marching Virginians Practice Facility: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Has the facility been approved by the university?
a. The building site (Chicken Hill) has been set aside but the facility itself has not been formally
approved.
2. What is the total cost?
a. It is estimated that the total cost will be around $10 million with $5 million coming from private
donations.
3. Will the facility be used exclusively by the Marching Virginians?
a. No. Although the Marching Virginians will be the primary tenant, the facility will be open to
other groups across the university including the various instrument and choral ensembles in need
of rehearsal space. It’s planned for the practice field to also be used by VT Rec Sports.
4. How do I contribute?
a. Right now we are not looking for cash in hand. Rather, we’re asking those who want to help to
inform us what they are willing to commit. Once the building is approved we will contact those
who expressed interest to go ahead and make their gift or book their pledge. For more information about giving to Virginia Tech visit http://www.givingto.vt.edu/
5. Can I get Hokie Club credit for my donation?
a. No, but your gift will count towards the various giving societies at Virginia Tech, including the
Pylon Society.
6. Are there naming opportunities within the building?
a. Yes. Although the exact spaces and donation levels have yet to be determined.
For all other questions regarding the Marching Virginians Practice Facility, please call (+1-540-231-8734) or
email (jhking@vt.edu) John King, Director of Development for the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
See the video here!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvgLpAysgnM
MVs on the web!
mvs.music.vt.edu
[13]
Find us on Facebook!
facebook.com/MarchingVirginians
Congratulations and Welcome to the MVAA!
Robyn Abernathy, Trumpet from Richmond, VA
Joshua Alderman, Baritone from Christiansburg, VA
Ben Allen, Trombone from Fredericksburg, VA
Derrick Anderson, Percussion from Warrenton, VA
Brett Annett, Trumpet from Norfolk, VA
Taylor Ashworth, Tuba from Cary, NC
Chris Baumann, Tenor Sax from Stafford, VA
Ross Belvin, Alto Sax from Yorktown, VA
Benjamin Bishop, Trombone from Winchester, VA
Chelsea Black, Flag from Centreville, VA
Alexander Bortkiewicz, Trumpet from Swarthmore, PA
Stephanie Bridgeman, Clarinet from New Martinsville, WV
Jordan Bristow, Trombone from Williamsburg, VA
Jocelyn Browning, Manager from Hillsborough, NC
Justin Brugos, Trumpet from South Hill, VA
Zachary Buckley, Trumpet from Leesburg, VA
Kevin Burke, Percussion from Leesburg, VA
Christian Burnette, Trombone from Alexandria, VA
Lucas Carver, Trumpet from Newland, NC
Eric Clark, Percussion from Richmond, VA
Leigh Anne Coble, Piccolo from Martinsville, VA
Brandon Cole, Horn from Chester, VA
Dan Crowder, Tuba from Christiansburg, VA
Jackie Desrosiers, Horn from Alexandria, VA
Liesl Diefenderfer, Clarinet from Manassas, VA
Kevin Donaldson, Trumpet from Charlottesville, VA
Christina Duell, Clarinet from Oakton, VA
Anne Ennis, Manager from Brooklyn, CT
Jeremey Falkenau, Trumpet from Landenberg, PA
Steven Foy, Tuba from Chester, VA
Greg Gates, Percussion from Springfield, VA
Michelle Gervasio, Flag from Herndon, VA
Sarah Hamed, Flag from Blacksburg, VA
Brendan Harrigan, Alto Sax from Mickleton, NJ
Missy Hughes, Horn from Union Hall, VA
Jasmine Johnson, Manager from Woodbridge, VA
Aaron Jones, Trombone from Belington, WV
David Jordan, Percussion from Salem, VA
John Kizer, Trombone from Blacksburg, VA
Matt Knight, Alto Sax from Poquoson, VA
Matthew Kracht, Tuba from Blacksburg, VA
Kenneth Lee, Alto Sax from Springfield, VA
Carrie Lillard, Manager from Brightwood, VA
Kelsey Lund, Clarinet from Stafford, VA
Scott Luxenberg, Manager from Fairfax, VA
Virginia Lyman, Piccolo from Winchester, VA
Tatiana MacMartin, Flag from Midlothian, VA
Evan Magner, Horn from Palmyra, VA
Patrick Malinowski, Trombone from Blacksburg, VA
Sydney Martin, Flag from Woolwine, VA
Rachel McGiboney, Clarinet from Yorktown, VA
Allie McMillion, Piccolo from North Tazewell, VA
Emily Mehr, Piccolo from Yorktown, VA
Kerry Meier, Trumpet from Blacksburg, VA
Ariel Miller, Clarinet from Springfield, VA
Michelle Minnich, Horn from Fredericksburg, VA
Josh Morris, Percussion from Burkeville, VA
Christina Mummau, Clarinet from Riner, VA
Matt Murdock, Tuba from Midlothian, VA
J. R. Norfleet, Trombone from Chesapeake, VA
Steffi Offutt, Flag from Fairfax, VA
Tim Ornoff, Percussion from Chesapeake, VA
April Osgood, Clarinet from Rocky Mount, VA
Andrew Overbey, Trumpet from Blacksburg, VA
Molly Overson, Horn from Fairfax Station, VA
David Peterson, Trumpet from Fairfax Station, VA
Tommy Polson, Tuba from Centreville, VA
Nathan Postman, Alto Sax from Yorktown, VA
Kyle Poulsen, Baritone from Herndon, VA
Tyler Price, Trombone from Bassett, VA
Caitlin Reeves, Tenor Sax from Ashburn, VA
Katy Reinsel, Clarinet from Fairfax, VA
George Rooney, Tuba from Purcellville, VA
Kaytlyn Schmitt, Feature Twirler from Springfield, VA
Stephanie Seay, Percussion from Stafford, VA
Lee Seidner, Clarinet from Centreville, VA
Sophie Sell, Piccolo from Blacksburg, VA
Jacob Sherry, Percussion from Fulton, MD
Stephen Short, Trumpet from Yorktown, VA
Robert Smith, Trumpet from Herndon, VA
Josh Thompson, Baritone from Ararat, VA
Hank Tillman, Trumpet from Williamsburg, VA
Samuel Tutko, Clarinet from Ashburn, VA
Leah Ulman, Flag from Raleigh, NC
Kelley Vaeth Staff Bedford, VA
Rebecca Vizzi, Piccolo from Stafford, VA
Kyle Wallace, Trombone from Clifton, VA
Douglas Warford, Alto Sax from Fredericksburg, VA
Cody Weddle, Trumpet from Meadowview, VA
Jimmy Weer, Baritone from Goldsboro, MD
Mac White, Trumpet from Blacksburg, VA
Dante Wiggins, Piccolo from Hampton, VA
Dana Williams, Tuba from Bristol, TN
James Yarrington, Trombone from Charlotte, NC
[14]
2012 PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
DATE
TIME
OPPONENT
MV EVENT
Aug. 19 - Aug. 26
N/A
N/A
Band Camp
Sep. 3 (Monday)
8:00 PM
Georgia Tech
MVs Halftime
Sep. 8
1:30 PM
Austin Peay
MVs Halftime
Sep. 15
12:00 PM
@ Pittsburgh
No travel
Sep. 22
TBD
Bowling Green
MVs Halftime
Sep. 29
TBD
@ Cincinnati
Fed-Ex Field; no travel
Oct. 6
TBD
@ North Carolina
No travel
Oct. 12 (Friday)
7:30 PM
N/A
Band-A-Rama
Oct. 13
TBD
Duke
MV Alumni Day, Band Parents Day, Homecoming;
MVs Halftime
Oct. 20
TBD
@ Clemson
MVs Travel
Nov. 1 (Thursday)
8:00 PM
@ Miami
No travel
Nov. 8 (Thursday)
8:00 PM
FSU
Hokies for the Hungry; MVs Pregame
Nov. 17
TBD
@ Boston College
No travel
Nov. 24
TBD
Virginia
MVs Halftime
Dec. 1
7:45 PM or
8PM
ACC Championship