MARCHING VIRGINIANS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

MARCHING VIRGINIANS
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
MVAA 2007
Spring 2007 Newsletter
In this issue...
Page 2
Imagine not having to use trailers as an instrument storage facility.
Now picture looking over the MV field without uniforms and
instrument cases scattered about.
Will Petersen, Assistant Director of the Marching Virginians, tells us
how all of this (and much much more!) can be accomplished as we
dream of a facility to call our own.
Page 3
Dave Whiteside highlights the ups and downs of the Hokies
memorable and forgettable trip to the home of the Dirty Birds,
Atlanta, GA, for the 2006 Chick-Fil-A Bowl.
Page 4
Have you had the chance to meet Will Petersen, the Assistant
Director of the Marching Virginians? Now is your chance to get to
know him a little better as Dave McKee sheds a little light on the
subject.
Page 6
This past Fall the Marching Virginians Alumni Association held its
2nd annual MV Band Day. Jim Davis recounts the events of the day
for those of you that were unable to make it, and also reflects on
how important MV Band Day is to the MVAA.
[1]
DREAMING ABOUT A PERMANENT FACILITY FOR THE MARCHING VIRGINIANS
by Will Petersen
Above: An artist’s rendering of the PSU Blue Band Building covered with Hokie-stone (image created by Ryan Dellinger, current MV and
Architecture graduate student)
If the title didn’t catch your attention then read on and join in our dream! Some of you may be
aware of the happenings over the last 11 months regarding the concept of a rehearsal facility that
the Marching Virginians could finally call home. Could you imagine: No more blue port-a-johns.
No more band members changing into their uniforms IN blue port-a-johns, at the cowfield, or
ALL OVER THE PLACE! No more sprints for the South End-zone with lightning overhead and rain
falling in sheets. No more diesel lights and the accompanying fumes. No more marching on the
worst piece of turf in Blacksburg! Even more amazing, imagine not having to need the trailers or
the old Blacksburg K-Mart storage rooms!
Let’s take a moment to envision how we would replace all of these fond memories and our
current reality. Take a moment to imagine a 30,000 foot rehearsal facility that would include: a large ensemble rehearsal room where the MVs could
rehearse sitting down, access to an artificial turf field marked identically to Worsham Field in Lane Stadium, an auxiliary rehearsal room for flags and
twirlers, a drum-line rehearsal and storage room, separate locker rooms for men and women, permanent bathrooms, uniform and instrument storage,
a music library. an instrument repair room, staff offices, and a reception area. Think about the opportunity to be able to showcase the expanding
history of the Marching Virginians and preserve countless pieces of band memorabilia, uniforms, and history in an archives room. Imagine the entire
band being able to view their performances as a group for the first time in 33 years!
Based on similar projects such as the Steinbrenner Band Center at Ohio State, The University of Florida Steinbrenner Center, The Penn State Blue
Band Building, as well as projects in design/construction at the University of Virginia, The University of South Carolina, and Indiana University, we
anticipate a project at Virginia Tech to cost between $6,000,000 to $8,000,000.
Over the past 33 years, The Marching Virginians have represented Virginia Tech as the ultimate
“can-do” organization. During those 33 years, the MVs have never had a permanent rehearsal
facility and have always made the best of a less than ideal situation. Many, I’m sure, have
memories of an old box truck trudging between the old rehearsal field and the basement of
Owens Dining Hall. However, just because countless MVs have made the best of this situation,
that doesn’t mean we can’t make it better. With the current construction boom on campus, and
the accompanying phrase, “we need to provide our students with the best facilities possible”
from Departments and Colleges across Virginia Tech, the 330 members of The Marching
Virginians deserve no less and have endured far worse. Our opportunity is NOW!
(see MV Band Building, page 5)
This mechanized, rotating storage
rack can be filled with up to
2,100 band uniforms.
[2]
2006 Chick-Fil-A Bowl
by Dave Whiteside
How can you positively reflect on a bowl trip
that ends in a loss? Once the game is over, you
seem to have your life energy sucked out of you;
especially the way this one went. Your mood is
drab amongst delirious fans of the winning team
as you try to leave the stadium with as much
dignity as you can. It was hard, but you get
through it.
Over the last 14 (or 15) years, it has been a roller
coaster ride with Tech bowl games. We've had
our highs (Texas in 1995) and our lows
(California in 2003). We've been to a National
Championship Game; who would've ever
thought that? And we've had the tar knocked
out of us as well (UNC). But, just like last year,
and every year, when it's time to go bowling, we
pack-'em up and head out. Why? Because it's
Virginia Tech football, that's why. And there's
nothing that's going to keep me, or a lot of
people, away from it.
A local pub housed an MV gathering of
young-en's and old-en's the night before the
game. A late comer myself that night, when I
arrived I was taken in by one of “those”
discussions between Clay Davis and Will
Peterson (not sure who won that one). Next to
them, a table hosted by the leader of our pack,
Dave (the glue that binds us all). In another
room were several others who were all just
having plain fun.
Away from work, away from life, just for a short
bit, remembering and clinging on to the years
that were. Different generations comparing and
laughing about all the similarities and differences they experienced while a member of the
MVs.
Then there’s the present band who sounded
great, looked excellent, and did their school,
and us, proud. Do they have any idea how
much they'll yearn these years down the road
when they're sitting in a pub in late December/
early January, in a town away from home where
they came to see the Hokies play?
And so it was with the Peach Bowl this year
(I cant say Chick-Fil-A...it's the Peach Bowl!).
The
MVs at the
Parade
‣ The Hokies take the field
‣ The MVs in the state of Virginia
‣ The Chick Fil A cows show their
Hokie spirit
‣ The MVs in the VT
Thanks to Nate Lambeth for the photos.
[3]
Meet Will Petersen
WILL PETERSEN
by Dave McKee
returned to their lively conversation. Suddenly,
the room got quiet and Will turned to me.
“You’ve never seen the Simpsons, have you?”
How does someone from a losing football
tradition view life in the Hokie Nation? How
he asked. I realized at that moment that we
were in for a great year!
does someone with no knowledge of the MVs
and NO IDEA of what it’s like to do the Hokie
Pokie along with 66,000 of your best Hokie
friends begin to comprehend what they’ve
Quick facts about Will Petersen:
‣ In addition to being the Assistant Director of
gotten themselves into?
the MVs, Will is also the Director of the Hokie
The answer is pretty darn well!
Band.
MVs old and new, meet Will Petersen!
‣ As a freshman sousaphone player, Will ran
Hoops Pep Band, and the University Campus
over then Indiana University men's basketball
Assistant Director of The Marching Virginians,
coach, Bob Knight, with his horn and knocked
Will Petersen, hit Blacksburg in late July of
him into a wall.
2005. I knew that it wasn’t business as usual
the moment he walked into my office and
joined into a light-hearted discussion with a
‣ Will holds a Bachelors of Music Education and
a Masters of Music (Wind Conducting) from the
student. The conversation was headed along a
Indiana University School of Music.
path I could easily navigate when it suddenly
‣ Will, despite being what his mom refers to as
took a sharp turn: “This reminds me,” Will
being "big-boned", was a pretty good athlete in
replied to the student as he turned to me, “of
high school; he played football, lacrosse, and
that episode of the Simpsons when Ralph
wrestled before he decided he was going to
did...” (etc., etc.). “You remember that episode,
pursue music.
Dave?” As I sat there with a look of utter
disbelief on my face, Will and our student guest
Will at Dick’s
Sporting Goods
[4]
discussions are ongoing. Dave
MV Band Building (from page 1)
and I believe that the Center for
This process began with a significant Virginia Tech benefactor striking up
the Marching Virginians is moving
a conversation with Dave McKee after Dave spoke to the Blacksburg
from a dream to a real possibility!
Sports Club last March. Spurred by Dave’s reflection at the end of his
speech about how proud he is of our students, past and present, despite
As we continue on this exciting
the fact that we have never had a home, this benefactor stated to Dave
that we can make this better. After a meeting with Dave the next morning,
I was in my car headed to State College, PA, for a visit to the new Blue
journey, you’ll be hearing more
about the important role each of
you will have in providing current
Band Building at Penn State University. After a tour of the facilities and
and future Marching Virginians a
meeting with the staff at PSU, I returned to Blacksburg stocked with a
place they can truly call home! |
camera full of pictures and a bag filled with building designs and
fundraising materials. The next weekend, Dave and I made a presentation
to the MVAA Board about the possibility of a permanent home for The
Marching Virginians. To say the least, the excitement in the meeting room
of the Skelton Conference Center was palpable!
These sweeping glass
windows look out over
the band’s practice field.
Check
this out!
Locker rooms provide spaces for band members
to lock up their valuables during rehearsals
and games.
Since that point, we have met with the Vice President for Facilities have
and had brief discussions with the University Architect about how we
Hokie Club Support
need to proceed. Dave has continued his dialogue with our benefactors,
and their excitement about this project has already led to positive
discussions across campus. These discussions helped inform Dave and I
what the next steps will be, and I’m happy to report that we had a fantastic meeting with the University Provost, Mark McNamee; Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences, Jerry Niles; and Music Depart-
by Dave McKee
If you’re a member of the Hokie Club or you have ever considered joining,
this is important to you! Thanks to the efforts of several persistent MV
alumni and parents, you may now designate your Hokie Club
ment Head, John Husser. After a brief and effective PowerPoint
contributions to benefit The Marching Virginians!
presentation, Dave masterfully addressed the need for facility improvements for the MVs and was met with whole-hearted agreement from the
You need to clearly write Marching Virginians on your check, fill in the
Provost. At this point, we are waiting to hear back from the Provost about
comment box on the online form, and/or send a note if you are using
the next steps to give this project the official go ahead in order to begin
automatic deduction for your contributions.
raising funds, start developing architectural plans, and identify a building
As in the past, these contributions allow you to accumulate the priority
site.
points that determine the benefits you receive as a Hokie Club member.
These contributions will not in any way impact our current allocation from
Talk about an exciting time! Any project of this magnitude will only be a
success through the help of our dedicated MV alumni, the MVAA, and the
Hokie Nation. Will this project take a few years, five years, or a bit more?
We are not sure yet, but the need has been identified, presented, and
Athletics. What these contributions will do is allow us to begin replacing
sorely needed instruments and equipment.
Needless to say, this is a huge opportunity for The Marching Virginians!
[5]
MV BAND DAY 2006
The 2nd Annual Marching Virginians Band Day Review
by Jim Davis
The second annual MV Band Day was another fun-filled day of marching, playing, groaning, dancing, joking, and
cheering. The weather was one of those beautiful fall Blacksburg days you think of when you think of a Hokie
Game Day. Although the team did not cooperate by losing 38-27 to Georgia Tech, that didn’t keep those who
attended from enjoying shaking out the musical cobwebs and seeing old friends.
Registration began at 10:30 and the line formed to get game and meal tickets, along with the complementary hat
and shirt. Rehearsal begins at 11, pretty much anyway, and after getting all 90 marchers lined up and in place, the
first task is to learn the dance. Current MV drum majors, Stephen Shelburne and Jordan Booker, choreographed
these moves and are there to patiently teach it. The winner of the online music voting, Monster on a Leash, is the song with the dance
break. I usually photograph MV Band Day for the website and everyone learning the dance is my favorite part. Everyone is grinning
ear to ear as they do their version of what the drum majors are showing them. After a few times through, it’s passable.
Now it’s Dave’s turn to put them through the paces. After some breathing and stretching the Alumni Band makes sound for the first
time that day. It sounds good, honest it does. Dave runs them through the songs. There are always some stops and starts as the
kinks get worked out, but I’m always impressed with how good the Alumni Band sounds so quickly. In the distance you can hear the
alumni percussion getting a cadence together, and off to the side the alumni flags are working on their synchronized routines.
Now it all comes together. The current MVs join the practice and everyone runs through the whole show a couple of times: Carry Me
Back/VPI Victory March, Monster on a Leash with the dance, and Tech Triumph, directed by guest alumni drum major Scott
Donaldson (pictured below). Looks good.
After practice, the MVAA meeting begins. Ed Gillikin presides over his last MVAA meeting as president as Clay Davis takes the reigns
next year. Elections are first on the docket and the nominating committee’s recommendations of Jay Muscatello as President-Elect
and Vicki Saville as Member-at-large 1974-1979 are approved by those in attendance. Those are the only positions open this year.
[6]
Next up is the Bob and Bonnie alumni award. This year’s winner is Lisa VanDyke (pictured below), class of 1990. Her years of service
to the MVs as a flag instructor during band camp and as a leader throughout the year have been an excellent example to many MVs
and a great help to Dave in making the Marching Virginians the band they are. Thanks Lisa!
The last item in the meeting is a surprise. Ed gets an award! Dave McKee presents Ed Gillikin (pictured below) a plaque for his
service as president of the MVAA. His leadership and dedication have helped make the MVAA the vibrant support organization it has
become. Thanks Ed!
After the Cajun tailgate, it’s game day baby! Everyone forms up and the percussion section gets its chance to show their chops. It’s
good to hear the applause as the Alumni Band marches through the tailgating lots. The Alumni Band winds its way to the stadium and
eventually everyone takes their seats. I think you know the rest of the story. The half-time show is a hit, as usual. If you’d like to see
pictures from MV Band Day 2006, be sure to check out the website. There are over 100 pictures there documenting the whole day.
Hope to see you at MV Band Day in 2007!
Now that I have highlighted the events of the day, I’d like to explain the importance of MV Band Day as it relates to the MVAA. The
MVAA is an organization run by volunteers and without membership dues. To learn more about the MVAA, I encourage you to go to
the MVAA website www.spiritoftech.com/mvaa and click on “About Us”. There you will see the organization’s Constitution and
Bylaws. As an organization, the MVAA basically has only one source of revenue for its yearly operation and that is proceeds and
donations from MV Band Day. Money generated by your participation in MV Band Day allows the MVAA to do things like the Ice
Cream Social and road trip goodie bags which support the current MVs and make the MVAA visible to them as an important
organization for them now and for future MVs. That money also allows us to reward the hard work of a current MV with the Spirit of
Tech award and the continuing dedication of MV alums with the Bob and Bonnie award. So, my point is, participating in MV Band Day
is not only is a lot of fun but it helps keep the future of the MVs bright by maintaining an active and relevant alumni organization.
Please remember, even if you are not able to attend MV Band Day, your donations are always welcome.
Jim Davis ‘88
Information Officer MVAA
Here are the financial numbers from MV Band Day 2006:
Registrations:
MV Alumni marching:
MVAA meals served:
Game tickets sold: 127
90
126
300
Gross proceeds for registration, tailgate, and tickets:
Game ticket cost: Tailgate cost:
Hat cost: Net proceeds to MVAA:
$15,150.00
($12,000.00)
($1,950.00)
($550.00)
$650.00
[7]
From the President
by Clay Davis
Another first for 2006. The Hokies swept UNC in football and BASKETBALL! (Sorry, but I had to
get that out).
And the firsts just keep coming. Dave and I recently introduced to the MVAA board the
opportunity of a new permanent home for the Marching Virginians offering state of the art
facilities. Old timers will remember rehearsing to the serenade of numerous cows and aircraft
buzzing the Pecker’s Perch. Today the students practice in late fall under the lights and fumes
of diesel engines, while the track team circles the field. Through the efforts of many, we may
soon have the facilities that the Spirit of Tech deserves.
And another first…for the first time ever, your Hokie Club donations can be earmarked for the Marching Virginians. Thanks to the
initial contact of Roger Miller and persistence by Dave, your donations to the Hokie Club will go to support the MVs if you designate
them as such when completing the paperwork or paying online. (See “Hokie Club Support” on page 5 for more details)
As for this past season, the Hokies and MVs were invited to the Peach Bowl (I refuse to call it the Chicken-whatever bowl). Dave and
company produced great pre-game and half-time shows for the 14th straight bowl game. Nearly as many Hokie fans watched the
MVs perform in the Georgia Dome in January as the total attendance of the first MV attended bowl game, the 1981 Peach Bowl. In
Atlanta this year, a contingent of MVAA faithful enjoyed an evening at a local bar (naturally) visiting with Dave, Will, and friends. You
can view bowl photos as well as updates on MVAA activities online at: http://www.spiritoftech.com/mvaa/. A big “thank you” goes out
to Jim Davis for the many hours of work over many years maintaining the MVAA website.
We celebrated MV Band Day during the Georgia Tech game. It was a great opportunity to reunite with old friends, march a fun
half-time show, and speak with the students in the current band. We encourage all MV Alumni to step on the field with us at half-time.
Please assist the MVAA in getting the word out to everyone that the Marching Virginians Alumni Association welcomes all former MVs
to join in the fun of MV Band Day and bowl games, and to carry on our alumni band tradition. What a great way to show the Hokie
nation our support for the MVs. Dave and Will are writing half-time shows that even an old-timer like me can enjoy.
Thanks to Dave Sielaty and Jay Muscatello for their efforts at the Student Leadership Conference during band camp, endeavoring to
nourish those student leadership skills that continue to make the MVs one of the best college bands in the nation. The James R.
Sochinski Spirit of Tech Award winner exemplifies those leadership qualities “by demonstrating outstanding citizenship and dedication
during their career as a member of The Marching Virginians”. After reviewing a number of deserving candidates, the MVAA board
awarded Megan McCollough the 2006 James R. Sochinski Spirit of Tech Award at the annual MV Bandquet. Bob White’s annual
Bandquet slide show is still as memorable as ever.
The MVAA Board will conduct its annual retreat the last week in March. The board will discuss a number of topics including a review of
2006 events, new MV facilities, and the continued efforts to expand our alumni membership base to reach those former MVs we’re
missing. Feel free to contact any of our board members with your suggestions for enhancing the events and goals of the MVAA. And
as always, we encourage everyone to become involved.
I would like to thank all of the MVAA board members, Dave, Will, and Shelby for their time and efforts in making this one of the best
alumni bands in the country. From producing this newsletter to programming our web site, from teaching the students to serving ice
cream, from maintaining the Treasurer’s report to organizing all the events…these folks selflessly contribute. Thank You!
Go HOKIES!
Clay Davis
(434)238-6300
[email protected]
1980-84
[8]
A YEAR IN REVIEW
A review of the memorable 2006 season of
the Marching Virginians.
by Mike Buck
This band is so many different things to so many
opened up. Everyone was soaked
different people, and with a constant flux of
in about six seconds and Dave
people graduating and new faces joining in, it is
gave the order to make for the
truly a unique experience from year to year.
South End Zone of Lane.
2006 was no different and it was a blast. In
We all stuck around
writing this letter, I tried to think of the defining
waiting for the
moment for the 2006 MVs, and it came at the
massive amounts
very beginning of the season.
of pizza that was
ordered, everyone
Dave and Will planned an activity to allow
wet and a little
sections that may not have many social ties to
cold.
Mike Buck and
Will Petersen at
Dick’s Sporting
Goods
work together in making skits for the rest of the
band. One part of it was to meet new
people but another was to really
And to me, this is what really defined the MVs
Now you might think this is a
recipe for disaster; that at least half the
make the band come
band would be griping. But we all just
together as one big family,
started to do what we do best. The
this year: Our ability to smile and enjoy ourselves and our surroundings no matter what was
thrown at us. Or thrown at Georgia’s secondary
for that matter.
instead of several
bones boned. The horns played
smaller ones. It worked
duck duck goose. The woodwinds
It was an honor to be chosen by my peers to
gloriously, just not the
did whatever they always do. The
serve as their XO, and I want to thank all of you
way our directors had
tubas taught everyone the rousing
for your contributions, both time and financial, to
imagined it.
lyrics to U of VA. Regardless, the
band was having fun. In a storm.
About ten minutes before we
started the skits, one of those
awesome Blacksburg summer monsoons
Amidst huge concrete pillars. I did not
hear one complaint and saw everyone having
This being our first MVAA Newsletter, we
Memorial Chapel on August 5, 2006 in
figured we should introduce ourselves.
front of family, friends, and LOTS of
(Gross) Correll graduated in 2003 with a
degree in Biology, and then began work on
a Masters degree in Biology. After 3 years,
Blacksburg.
Best Regards,
Mike Buck
Paul and Linda were married at the War
a degree in Computer Science. Linda
someone can have during their stay in
a ball.
Note from the Editors
Paul Correll graduated from VT in 2004 with
continue to make this band the most fun
current and former MVs. They now live in
Leesburg, VA, where Paul works for
Northrop Grumman as a Software
Engineer, and Linda is student teaching
and loving it.
she decided that she didn’t like what she
With that out of the way, we hope you enjoy
was doing, but really enjoyed being a GTA,
the Newsletter, and please accept our
so she switched to an Education Masters
apologies for not getting it to you sooner.
and transferred to the Northern Virginia VT
We hope to be the editors of the MVAA
campus. Not to be outdone in his own
Newsletter as long as Dave will let us. We
household, Paul began a Masters in
are VERY open to comments and sugges-
Software Engineering at George Mason
tions, so please don’t hesitate to get in
University in the Fall of 2006.
touch with us.
[9]
For more information on how you can be a part
of the Marching Virginian Alumni Association,
please check out our website at
http://www.spiritoftech.com/mvaa/
2007 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
DATE
OPPONENT
Sep. 1
East Carolina
Sep. 8
@ LSU
Sep. 15
Ohio
Sep. 21
MV EVENT
MV Band Day
Band-A-Rama
Sep. 22
William & Mary
Band Parents Day
Sep. 29
North Carolina
Homecoming
Oct. 6
@ Clemson
Travel
Oct. 13
@ Duke
Oct. 25
Boston College
Nov. 1
@ Georgia Tech
Nov. 10
FSU
Nov. 17
Miami
Nov. 24
@ UVA
Travel
Dec. 1
ACC Championship
Jacksonville, FL
MVAA
Marching Virginians Alumni Association
C/O Director, The Marching Virginians
Department of Music
Squires Student Center
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0240
Hokies for the Hungry