The Marching Virginians

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The Marching Virginians are one of two collegiate marching bands at Virginia Tech (the other being the Highty Tighties, the regimental band of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets). Established in 1974, their shows feature standard DCI techniques. Because the Marching Virginians draw exclusively from the general student body, they are larger than the Highty Tighties, incorporating members from all eight colleges at Virginia Tech. In 1984, the size of the Marching Virginians was officially set at 330 members, though the roster regularly rises over that number. Known as "The Spirit of Tech" they perform at Virginia Tech football games, fundraisers, and charity events. The Marching Virginians also hold their own yearly charity event, 'Hokies for the Hungry,' during which canned food is collected by band members prior to a Virginia Tech home football game to benefit the Montgomery County Christmas Store. The Marching Virginians are the creators of Virginia Tech's 'Stick It In' cheer.

Among other venues, the Marching Virginians have performed at the Peach Bowl, Independence Bowl, Nokia Sugar Bowl, Toyota Gator Bowl, Chick-fil-A Bowl, and were even featured on the Blacksburg edition of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

The Marching Virginians are currently under the leadership of director Dave McKee and assistant director Will Peterson. A majority of the music is arranged by Dr. James Sochinski, and the halftime performances are narrated by Tony Distler, "The Voice of the Marching Virginians."

The Marching Virginians are assisted by the Eta Beta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi and the Zeta Omicron Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma.

[edit] Traditions

The Marching Virginians, since their establishment in 1974, have developed a multitude of traditions and rituals.

For every home game, the Marching Virginians have a pre-game rehearsal (and are sometimes provided breakfast or lunch) before marching a small pep-parade from the south-end of the Cassell Coliseum parking lot, down Spring Road, to the south-west tunnel into Lane Stadium at Worsham Field.
Each section independently develops its own cheers, calls, and chants, sometimes involving inter-sectional cooperation (such as the clarinet/saxophone sections' combined "STROKE-OH!" chant). These chants often begin with a section leader or rank captain calling a command, usually ending in something along the lines of "TWEET-TWEET-HO" to simulate a whistle command.
Entering Lane Stadium, each band member falls out of rank, touches his/her hand to the Hokie Stone at the entrance to the field, and falls back into their position in the parade block.
As the Marching Virginians enter any stadium before a VT Hokies football game, the band chants "VIR--G-I-N-I-A TECH!"
Far less formal than their military counterparts the Highty-Tighties, the Marching Virginians were allowed until recently to wear their own Virginia Tech hats and other forms of personal flare which do not interfere or deface their uniforms. In the 2005-2006 football season, the MV's were given uniform Marching Virginians baseball caps (rather than several varying styles of VT hats) to wear should one be so inclined.
As a form of personal flare, Marching Virginians members (women in particular) are allowed facial tattoos. The most popular temporary tattoo is the "VT" symbol on either cheek.
In every fieldshow, the MV's usually perform three songs followed by "Tech Triumph". The first song and last song (the opener and closer) are marched with varying complex DCI-style formations, while the middle song is usually performed in one, block formation with a dance in the middle.