PROGRAM OF EVENTS

2017

VIRGINIA TECH
vs.
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY

LANE STADIUM

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
 MUSIC FOR TODAY’S SHOW
VIRGINIA TECH
vs.
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

Title Composer Arranger

God Bless the USA Lee Greenwood Scott Boerma

Armed Forces Medley Robert Crawford Jeff Fuchs

Alfred Miles Matt Savage
Charles Zimmerman
lFrancis Saltus Van Boskerck
Edmund Gruber

America the Beautiful Samuel Ward Jay Dawson

Stars and Stripes Forever John Philip Sousa Jay Dawson

Tech Triumph W.P. Maddux & Maddie Epes James Sochinski

For further information, please contact:

Samantha L. Hall
Public Relations Officer
sam757@vt.edu
(757) 508-0154

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 VIRGINIA TECH vs.
OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY
HALFTIME
SEPTEMBER 23, 2017
Bands run onto field (facing pressbox).
Horns come up. PA:

THIS AFTERNOON, WE CELEBRATE MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY AT

VIRGINIA TECH AS WE PAY TRIBUTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO
HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY AROUND THE WORLD AS MEMBERS OF
OUR ARMED FORCES. WE INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE MARCHING
VIRGINIANS, THE HIGHTY-TIGHTIES, AND THE MARCHING MONARCH
BAND FROM OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY AS WE HONOR OUR GREAT
COUNTRY AND THOSE WHO PROTECT OUR FREEDOM.
Bands play God Bless the USA.
PA (following applause):

WE NOW INVITE YOU TO JOIN THE COMBINED BANDS AS WE SALUTE

THOSE WHO HAVE PROUDLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY WITH A
MEDLEY OF SONGS COMMEMORATING EACH BRANCH OF OUR
ARMED FORCES. WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO STAND AND BE
RECOGNIZED WITH THE MUSIC OF THE BRANCH IN WHICH YOU
SERVED OR ARE CURRENTLY SERVING. ON BEHALF OF THE HOKIES,
WE THANK YOU.
Band plays Armed Forced Medley. PA (cued by McKee as each branch is introduced):

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

THE UNITED STATES NAVY

THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD

THE UNITED STATES ARMY

3
 PA (following):

AND NOW, PLEASE ENJOY THE PERFORMANCE OF OVER SIX

HUNDRED STUDENT-MUSICIANS AS THE COMBINED BANDS OF
VIRGINIA TECH AND OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY PERFORM A
TRIBUTE TO OUR GREAT NATION WITH A STIRRING RENDITION OF
AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL.
Band plays America the Beautiful.
PA (following):

WE CONCLUDE TODAY’S HALFTIME CEREMONY AND HONOR

AMERICA WITH THE PLAYING OF THE NATIONAL MARCH FOR THE
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, JOHN PHILIP SOUSA’S STARS AND
STRIPES FOREVER.
ODU band holds in place until PA begins.
As PA begins, ODU band member scatter off the field.
PA (following applause):

AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO END OUR HALFTIME SHOW THAN WITH
EVERY HOKIE’S FAVORITE SONG. . .
Band plays Tech Triumph, exiting at chorus to front sideline.
PA (over exit):

TODAY’S HALFTIME PERFORMANCE WAS A COLLABORATION

BETWEEN THE MARCHING BANDS OF VIRGINIA TECH AND THE
MONARCH MARCHING BAND OF OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY. DR.
ALEX TREVINO IS THE DIRECTOR OF ATHLETIC BANDS AT OLD
DOMINION UNIVERSITY, SENIOR CHIEF JAMES BEAN IS THE
DIRECTOR OF THE HIGHTY-TIGHTIES, AND THE MARCHING
VIRGINIANS ARE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CHAD REEP AND DAVID
MCKEE.

4
THE MARCHING VIRGINIANS
The Marching Virginians will support the Hokies with entertaining performances and lively
music throughout the 2017 football season. Under the direction of David McKee and Chad Reep,
the band will perform a variety of crowd favorites throughout the season. Dr. James Sochinski,
the primary music arranger, has composed over 250 musical arrangements for The Marching
Virginians over the past 40 years and Mike Sparrer, former percussionist from the Class of 1993,
serves as The Voice of The Marching Virginians.

In addition to the professional leadership, The Marching Virginians is administered by an

exceptional group of 12 student officers who work together to manage many logistical operations
within the ensemble. The Executive Officer of the band is Romcholo Macatula, a graduate
student studying Mathematics from Ashburn. A squad of over fifty rank captains and sections
leaders lead their sections in learning music and drill throughout the season. This season’s drum
majors are Jenna Sharer, a senior Business Information Technology major from Oak Hill and
Eric Chang, a junior studying Aerospace Engineering from Christiansburg. The Marching
Virginians have two feature twirlers; the fiery pair consists of Serena Bronk, a sophomore
Biology major from Owings, Maryland and Connor Rudd, a junior Dairy Science major from
Chesterfield.

Students of The Marching Virginians are enrolled in nearly every major in the university and
truly represent the Virginia Tech community. The Marching Virginians are proud of their years
of spirit and dedication since the founding of the band in 1974. Throughout their history, The
Marching Virginians has performed for hundreds of nationally televised football games and
parades. During the 2016 season, the ensemble travelled to Bristol, Tennessee to perform at the
Bristol Motor Speedway for 159,990 fans at the largest college football game to date: the Battle
at Bristol. The band has also received praise for outstanding performances at Virginia Tech’s
recent bowl games, including the 2016 Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina; the 2015
Independence Bowl in Shreveport, Louisiana; the 2014 Military Bowl in Annapolis, Maryland;
the 2013 Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas; and the 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl in Orlando, Florida.
The ensemble has also been fortunate enough to accompany the Hokies in Orlando, Florida for
the 2016 ACC Championship.

Members of The Marching Virginians continue to volunteer their time and energy toward service
projects, both local and national in scope. Over the past four years, The Marching Virginians has
raised $70,000 to support research and services for the ALS Association through their Marching
for ALS program. The Marching Virginians has sent a pep band of 80 to 100 student musicians to
Craig County High School for 10 years to perform at a football game for a community where
there is no band program. In addition, the 330-member ensemble travelled to both Hanover High
School and Harrisonburg High School in 2015 to give exhibition performances and promote
collegiate bands at marching band competitions. The ensemble is proud to have participated in a
series of blood drive challenges; performances for school, community, and campus events; and
19 Hokies for the Hungry canned food drives (sponsored jointly with New Life Christian
Fellowship) – members of The Marching Virginians are truly the model of Ut Prosim.

The strong level of dedication, enthusiasm, and talent of this ensemble has led The Marching
Virginians to become an irreplaceable element of Virginia Tech football. The Marching
Virginians are proud of their reputation with fellow students, faculty, and fans and are honored to
be The Spirit of Tech!

5
FACULTY AND STAFF
DIRECTOR DAVID MCKEE

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR CHAD REEP

MUSIC ARRANGERS ROD HARKINS

SCOTT MCKENZIE
JAMES SOCHINSKI

PERCUSSION ARRANGER BRIAN NOZNY

PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR ANNIE STEVENS

FLAG CORPS INSTRUCTORS SARAH MCHUGH

LISA VANDYKE

THE VOICE OF THE MIKE SPARRER

MARCHING VIRGINIANS

PRESIDENT, MV ALUMNI DAVE WHITESIDE

ASSOCIATION

PRESIDENT, KAPPA KAPPA PSI BEN WILSON

ETA BETA CHAPTER

PRESIDENT, TAU BETA SIGMA VIRGINA KIBLER

ZETA OMICRON CHAPTER

SENIOR STAFF ASSISTANTS J.D. GRIZZLE

KATIE HALE
ABAGAIL SNYDER

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FACULTY AND STAFF
DIRECTOR OF THE MARCHING VIRGINIANS
David McKee is in his thirty-second year at Virginia Tech, where he serves as director of The
Marching Virginians. A native of Lynchburg, he received his B.M.E. from Shenandoah
Conservatory of Music in 1976 and his M.A.Ed. from Virginia Tech in 1986.

Under his direction, The Marching Virginians have performed throughout the nation for football
games, parades and other activities, sharing performances with bands from the University of
Texas, Florida State University, and most recently with the University of Arkansas Marching
Band at the Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina. In addition to a demanding schedule of
performances throughout the football season, The Marching Virginians are the model of Ut
Prosim serving the university community through twenty Hokies for the Hungry canned food
drives, two collaborative hurricane relief trips to New Orleans with the YMCA Student
Programs at Virginia Tech, and many performances and presentations for public school students
in the region. In the spring of 2009, the Marching Virginians partnered with Community
Housing Partners to build a home in honor of Ryan “Stack” Clark, a band member and victim of
the 2007 campus shooting. Under McKee’s guidance, the Marching Virginians Alumni
Association has developed into an exceptional source of networking and funding for the
Marching Virginians, providing millions of dollars of support for the band. In the fall of 2015,
Virginia Tech opened the Marching Virginians Center, a $4.75 million-dollar rehearsal and
storage facility for the MVs. In the spring of 2016, the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors
renamed the facility as the Sochinski-McKee Marching Virginians Center, in recognition of
many years of service by James Sochinski and David McKee.

In addition to directing The Marching Virginians, McKee teaches aural skills and conducts the
Symphony Band during the spring semester. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and
advocate for music education in the public schools. McKee is the recipient of the Shenandoah
University 2017 Distinguished Alumnus Award for Lifetime Achievement. At the 2007 Virginia
Music Educators Association Conference, he served as a percussionist, orator, and conductor
within the span of forty-eight hours. In 2005, McKee received a Certificate of Teaching
Excellence by the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. He is a member of the ACC
Band Directors Association, past-president of the Big East Band Directors Association and has
served on the Athletic Band Advisory Committee of the College Band Directors National
Association. He and his wife, Charlotte, celebrated their forty-first anniversary in the summer of
2017. They are the proud parents of three adult children and recently celebrated the arrival of
their first grandchild.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF THE MARCHING VIRGINIANS

Chad R. Reep is incredibly excited to join Virginia Tech as the new Assistant Director of
Athletic Bands, where he works with the Marching Virginians, the Men's Basketball Pep Band,
the Symphony and Campus Bands, and first year Sight Singing classes. Prior to his appointment
to Virginia Tech, Mr. Reep spent six years as Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at James
Madison University, where he assisted with all aspects of the Marching Royal Dukes, directed
the JMU Pep Band, and directed the JMU Concert Band. During his time at JMU, Mr. Reep has
revamped the JMU Pep Band, creating one of the best bands in college basketball. Membership
to the JMU Pep Band increased to over 250 members in Mr. Reep’s short time at JMU. Mr. Reep
earned his Masters of Music in Wind Conducting at James Madison University, where he was a
Graduate Assistant for the band program. Prior to his time at JMU, Mr. Reep earned his Bachelor
7
FACULTY AND STAFF
of Music Education at The University of Montana, located in his hometown of Missoula, and
was hired as Director of Bands at Big Sky High School in the same city. Mr. Reep spent three
years at BSHS before departing to Virginia for graduate work.

Mr. Reep is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma. In
addition, he is a member of the Virginia Music Education Association, Virginia Band &
Orchestra Directors Association, Collegiate Band Directors National Association, the College
Music Society, and the National Association for Music Education.

MUSIC ARRANGER
James Sochinski serves as principal arranger for The Marching Virginians, with over 250
arrangements during his career at Virginia Tech. Dr. Sochinski holds a B.M. from the University
of Missouri-Columbia, a M.M. from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and
a Ph.D. in Music Theory from the University of Miami. During his tenure as Director of Bands
from 1978-1990, he arranged and initiated the signature music and visuals that have become part
of the Hokie football tradition, including the VPI Victory March, the pregame Colors
Presentation, and The Hokie Pokie. His teaching responsibilities at Tech include courses in
analysis, history and literature, and orchestration.

PERCUSSION ARRANGER
Brian Nozny's career as a percussionist and composer spans a wide array of musical styles,
including classical, jazz, world and popular genres. His original works and arrangements have
been performed at respected academic institutions such as the University of Massachusetts-
Amherst, the University of South Carolina, and Florida State University. Notable ensembles that
have premiered Nozny’s compositions include the University of North Texas Percussion
Ensemble, the University of Kentucky Percussion Ensemble, and NEXUS. Brian’s most recent
commission, an original work for percussion sextet, Sharps, was premiered by the Denkyem
Percussion Group on their tour of Costa Rica in March of 2010.

Nozny's performances and teaching experiences have taken him all over the world - from North
Dakota to Jamaica. Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Virginia Tech, and Master’s
degrees in Composition and Performance from the University of Miami and the University of
North Texas, respectively. After completing his doctorate at the University of Kentucky, Dr.
Nozny is currently a Lecturer in Music at Troy University in Troy, Alabama.

PERCUSSION INSTRUCTOR
Annie Stevens is the assistant professor of percussion at Virginia Tech where she teaches studio
percussion, directs the VT Percussion Ensemble, and assists with the VT Drumline. She earned a
D.M.A. degree from the Eastman School of Music where she studied percussion with Michael
Burritt. Dr. Stevens has performed worldwide and has been featured at the Percussive Arts
Society International Convention on numerous occasions, the International Computer Music
Conference, Electronic Music Midwest, the International Trumpet Guild, the International
Trombone Festival, and Eastman’s China Connection Ensemble. Her percussion duo, Escape
Ten, has performed concerts from coast to coast, and most recently performed at the Leigh
Howard Stevens Summer Marimba Seminar. She also holds degrees from Northwestern
University (B.M.) and Rutgers University (M.M.), and spent a semester abroad at the
Hochschule für Musik in Detmold, Germany. While at Northwestern pursuing a performance
8
FACULTY AND STAFF
degree, she also elected to participate in the drumline for four years. She has held previous
appointments at Christopher Newport University and the University of West Georgia. Annie is a
Malletech Artist, a member of C.M.S., and an advisor to the music technology committee as a
member of the Percussive Arts Society.

FLAG INSTRUCTOR
Sarah McHugh has served as flag instructor since 2006. She graduated in 2005 with a bachelor's
degree in Communications. She marched with the MV Flag Corps from 2001 to 2004, serving as
rank captain in 2003 and captain in 2004.

Sarah married fellow Richmonder and MV, Matt McHugh (Horn '99-'03) in 2005 and they have
one son, Kyle, born the day before the 2012 Russell Athletic Bowl. Sarah’s hospital room served
as Hokie headquarters in the maternity ward of the hospital that year!

Sarah is a Human Resources Information and Communication Specialist at HHHunt, a regional

real estate development and management company, where she manages the company’s intranet
and HR information system.

FLAG INSTRUCTOR
Lisa VanDyke has served as MV Flag Instructor since 1994. She graduated in 1990 with a
bachelor's degree in Housing, Interior Design and Resource Management. While at Tech, Lisa
marched with the MV Flag Corps from 1985 to 1990 and was a rank captain for the 1989 and
1990 band seasons.

Lisa married fellow MV alumnus, Chuck VanDyke (Snare '84 - '88 and past president of the MV
Alumni Association) in 1990. They settled in Greensboro, NC, where they still reside today with
their son Ryan and daughter Reilly. Lisa does contract work designing productive office
environments for companies in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina.

THE VOICE OF THE MARCHING VIRGINIANS

Mike Sparrer, has served as the "Voice of The Marching Virginians" at Bowl and Championship
games since 2012. He assumed the full time duties in 2015 when long time Voice Dr. Tony
Distler turned over the microphone at the end of the 2014 season. Mike was a member of The
Marching Virginians drumline and served as a Rank Captain and Section Leader during his time
with the band. He loved performing with The Marching Virginians then and loves his new role
just as much. “There is nothing like the game day atmosphere at Lane Stadium when you are
with 330 of your closest friends”, Sparrer said.

Mike can be heard as the voice of Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium's football pre-game and
halftime programs as well as at other athletic events across campus. Over the years, Mike has
served as the Public Address announcer for many athletic programs at Virginia Tech including
volleyball, baseball and softball and basketball. This past season he was named Public Address
announcer for Virginia Tech Men’s Basketball program. Mike attended the College of
Landscape Architecture at Virginia Tech and now resides in Riner, Virginia with his wife Holly
and their two children Allison and Tyler.

9
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
FIELD LEADERSHIP:

DRUM MAJORS ERIC CHANG

JENNA SHARER

FLAG CORPS CAPTAINS VIRGINIA KIBLER

KATIE LEDWELL

FEATURE TWIRLERS KAITLYN BOYER

CONNOR RUDD

OFFICERS:

EXECUTIVE OFFICER ROMCHOLO MACATULA

INSTRUMENT SUPPLY WILL JONES

KATIE MOODY

LIBRARIANS ROBERTO ESTRADA

MACKENZIE KNOX

ONLINE CONTENT BRI DAZIO

OPERATIONS MAX MCCRATE

TANNER SAVIDGE

PERSONNEL ELISSA LICHTMAN

PUBLIC RELATIONS SAMANTHA HALL

SERVICES BEN WILSON

TREASURER SAMI EASLEY

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STUDENT LEADERSHIP
SECTION LEADERS:

PICCOLO BRITTNEY WORRELL

CLARINET JENNA O’BRIEN

ALTO SAXOPHONE MATT JONES

TENOR SAXOPHONE TREVOR MCMILLAN

TRUMPET CAMMY COHEN

MATT MESSICK

HORN MARY CATHERINE STEGALL

TROMBONE JOSEPH TOLLEY

BARITONE STEPHANIE QUESENBERRY

TUBA BILLY OWEN

PERCUSSION JAMIE SLADE

KAMRAN WATERMAN

FLAG CORPS VIRGINIA KIBLER

KATIE LEDWELL

HEAD MANAGER KELLY GUTHRIE

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STUDENT LEADERSHIP
RANK CAPTAINS:

PICCOLO TROMBONE
HALEY BLEVINS JAMES BITTNER
ANNE KELLY NEWMAN ALEX GERIG
ELIZABETH PRATT EVAN HORNSTEIN
EMILY WILLS KATE WOLLENBERG

CLARINET BARITONE
DARLENE ACERO DUNCAN ELSTON
ASHLYN MCDONALD MEREDITH WIENERS
LAURA WILD
KRISTINE YARNOFF TUBA
DALTON HARE
SAXOPHONE JACK MONK
ZACKORY BIGGERS
SAMANTHA SNYDER PERCUSSION
LINDSAY VANDER MOLEN ZACH PETTY – SNARE
MATTHEW VON SCHMIDT-PAULI MATT BELTON - TENOR
JESSE HUGHES - BASS
HORN KELI MCCLURE - CYMBALS
BROOKE MARTIN DILLON DUNHAM - BELLS
THOMAS NEIGH
TRISTAN STOYANOF FLAG CORPS
FAITH TAYLOR
TRUMPET LAUREN WALWER
COURTNEY AMOS
JACOB CASTAGNA
MATT FORREST
SAVANNAH HEPNER
SKYLAR MANTEUFFEL
ZOE MOELLER
JACOB STUBBS

12
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
DRUM MAJORS
Eric Chang is a junior from Christiansburg studying Aerospace Engineering with minors in
Mathematics, Computer Science, and Music. Going into his third year in The Marching
Virginians, Eric plays tenor saxophone and serves as the Brotherhood & Music Officer of Kappa
Kappa Psi, the National Honorary Band Fraternity. Outside of The Marching Virginians, he
serves as the president of the Academic Competition Organization of Virginia Tech, plays alto
sax in Symphony Band, and dances as part of the Hokies Basketball Pep Band. Some of his other
favorite activities include playing soccer, tutoring at the Math Emporium, and playing the piano.
Eric is looking forward to serving the Hokie family and others as a part of The Spirit of Tech.

Jenna Sharer is a senior at Virginia Tech in the Pamplin College of Business majoring in
Business Information Technology. She is from Oak Hill and loves exploring Washington, DC
whenever she's home. Jenna plays the clarinet and in her fourth year in The Marching Virginians,
serving as Rank Captain for Rank 9 sophomore year and Drum Major during her junior year.
Outside of The Marching Virginians and Hokie Football, she volunteers as a Pamplin
Ambassador, recruiting potential students to Virginia Tech and the Pamplin College of Business.
In her spare time, she loves to hike to the waterfalls of the Cascades, eat at The Homeplace, and
admire cute ducks around campus. She aspires to get as many candid shots as possible with the
one and only Hokie Bird. Jenna is looking forward to her senior year serving as Drum Major and
continuing the Hokies' winning tradition under Coach Fuente!

FEATURE TWIRLERS
Serena Bronk is a sophomore from Owings, Maryland majoring in Marketing. This is her second
year as a feature twirler for The Marching Virginians and she is so excited to step out on the field
for the second year in a row. She is a 2-time World Champion and was selected to represent
baton twirling by becoming an ambassador for Peru. Serena can't wait to perform with Connor
Rudd by her side during the upcoming season.

Connor Rudd is the newest Feature Twirler at Virginia Tech from Chesterfield. He is a junior
transferring from John Tyler Community College as a Dairy Science major and plans on one day
going to vet school and becoming an animal doctor. Over the summer, Connor was part of the
USA Baton Twirling Team in Croatia where he competed against twirlers from across the globe
where he placed third in two baton. Back home, Connor is a member of the Royalettes team in
Richmond and he credits the person he is today to the help of all of the people he has met in the
twirling world. This will be his 14th year twirling.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Romcholo Macatula is a graduate student from Ashburn pursuing a Master's Degree in
Mathematics. Last spring he graduated from Tech with a Dual Degree in Mathematics and
Computational Modeling and Data Analytics. This will be Romcholo's fourth season and he is
honored to be able to serve The Spirit of Tech as Executive Officer. While he plays the
saxophone, Romcholo primarily plays bass clarinet in concert band and has played in all the
concert ensembles here at Tech. He is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band
Fraternity, as well as an alumni of Delta Omicron, Professional Music Fraternity. Outside of all
the music, Romcholo loves to teach, tutor, and mentor mathematics students. This year, through

13
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
a GTA position, he will also be coaching multiple senior design teams in the nascent
Computational Modeling and Data Analytics department.

INSTRUMENT SUPPLY
Will Jones is a junior at Virginia Tech from Round Hill. He is studying Applied Economic
Management with a minor in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. He has been a VTuba for two
year, and is excited to continue serving The Marching Virginians as the Brass Instrument Supply
Officer. Outside of band, Will is a member of the AgEcon Club at VT, as well as a brother of
Alpha Zeta, the professional and service fraternity for Agriculture, Life Science, and Natural
Resource students. He enjoys working hard and spending time with friends. Will is excited to
work towards a greater band overall, alongside his co-ISO, Katie Moody.

Katie Moody is a senior Biological Systems Engineering student from Great Falls. She plays
piccolo in The Marching Virginians and is excited to serve as the Instrument Supply Officer
along with Will Jones for the 2017 season!

LIBRARIANS
Roberto Estrada is a sophomore from Woodbridge studying Industrial and Systems Engineering
with a minor in Music. Since beginning his career at Virginia Tech, Roberto has played in The
Marching Virginians piccolo section, Symphony Band, Campus Band and the Hokies Pep Band.
Roberto is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, National Honorary Band Service Fraternity.
Roberto hopes to continue to serve and participate in the university bands for the next 3 years.

Mackenzie Knox is a junior Food Science and Technology major from Yorktown. Mackenzie is
very excited to be joining the Marching Virginians for her third season and to serve this year as
second-term Librarian alongside Roberto Estrada. She is excited to be returning to campus this
fall after studying abroad last spring in the Honors College study abroad experience, Presidential
Global Scholars Program. Mackenzie currently serves as Special Events Chair for Tau Beta
Sigma National Honorary Band Service Sorority and as a program ambassador for her study
abroad program. She tries to embody Virginia Tech’s motto Ut Prosim every day in the ways
that she serves the Marching Virginians and the rest of Virginia Tech’s community. Mackenzie
is excited to return home to Lane Stadium and cheer on Fuente in his second season coaching the
Hokies!

ONLINE CONTENT
Bri Dazio is a senior all the way from Red Bank, New Jersey, majoring in Interior Design with a
Business Leadership minor. She's been involved in the MVs for the past three years serving as a
manager and clarinet. She is also a member of the Gamma Mu chapter of Delta Omicron, the
Professional Music Fraternity. One of Bri's favorite memories with the MVs is when she had to
learn the pregame show in just two practices before the Thursday night Miami game. She is
super excited to start her third season as a Marching Virginian and can't wait to make many more
great memories in Lane Stadium as a part of the Spirit of Tech.

OPERATIONS
Max MacCrate is a junior from Jackson, New Jersey. He is majoring in Industrial and Systems
Engineering (ISE) and is excited to apply his knowledge in operations research to design
mathematical models and solve the world's future problems. This past summer, he worked at the
14
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Campbell Soup Company in their world headquarters located in Camden, NJ. There, he was the
Network Optimization intern helping develop a direct product shipment model projected to save
the company over $800,000 next fiscal year. At Virginia Tech he is the Community Outreach
Chair for Alpha Pi Mu, the ISE Honor Society, on top of being the Operations Officer for The
Marching Virginians. Playing the saxophone in the band is easily one of Max’s favorite things.

Tanner Savidge is a Senior from Alburtis, Pennsylvania majoring in Packaging Systems and
Design, and pursuing a minor in Wood Science and Forest Products.
This is Tanner’s third year as a member of The Marching Virginians, and is thrilled to be a part
of The Spirit of Tech this year. In addition to serving as one of two Operations Officers for the
band, he is a Brother of Kappa Kappa Psi and A member of the Packaging club on campus. One
of Tanner’s favorite memories at Virginia Tech and as an MV, is collecting cans for Hokies for
the Hungry. When Tanner isn’t playing in front of 60,000 people in Lane Stadium, he enjoys
finding new music, playing intramurals with friends, finding adventures at every chance, and
checking items off the Hokie Bucket List.

PERSONNEL
Elissa Lichtman is a graduating senior from Alexandria majoring in Human Development with
minors in Psychology and Sociology. She is currently in the process of applying to graduate
programs for Occupational Therapy, where she will learn how to help children and adults live
more functional and enjoyable lives. Elissa is in her fourth year playing clarinet at Virginia Tech,
where she has participated in The Marching Virginians, the Hokies Pep Band, and the Symphony
Band. Outside of band, Elissa is a sister of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, where she has served
as the Recording Secretary and Parliamentarian.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Samantha Hall is a graduating senior from Hampton majoring in Hospitality and Tourism
Management and is seeking a career in events management. Sam spent two WGI seasons
competing with the Liberty University Indoor Drumline in the front ensemble as well as a
semester in percussion ensemble and symphony band at Virginia Tech; today, she plays cymbals
on the Virginia Tech Drumline and will play alto sax for Campus Band in the spring. As a sister
of Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Service Sorority, Sam is the Vice President of
Membership and strives to serve both the Virginia Tech Music Department as well as The
Marching Virginians. She has been absolutely thrilled to be able to fulfill her duties as Public
Relations Officer so far throughout the semester and looks forward to a successful Fuente
Football season!

SERVICE
Ben Wilson is a four-year member of The Marching Virginians, playing trumpet and baritone
over that period. He is a senior with a double major in Finance and Economics hoping to pursue
a career in public finance. On top of his duties as Service Officer for The Marching Virginians,
Ben serves as President for Virginia Tech's chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi, the National Honorary
Band Fraternity. He is a life-long fan of Virginia Tech football and enjoys the opportunity to
give back to the university and band that he loves.

15
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
TREASURER
Sami Easley is a senior from Martinsville and will be graduating in December 2017. She is
majoring in Finance on the Certified Financial Planning track with a minor in Professional Sales
through the Pamplin College of Business. After graduation, she plans to sit for the CFP exam and
start her career as a financial planner. Sami is a clarinet player in The Marching Virginians and,
as she enters her final year in the band, she is honored to be the Treasurer for a second year! She
looks forward to this opportunity to serve the band while cheering on the Hokies with The Spirit
of Tech!

16
SUPPORT AND STAFF
The Marching Virginians are grateful for significant financial support
from the following organizations:

Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets

Sabian Cymbals Yamaha Instruments

The Marching Virginians appreciate the support of many individuals

and organizations throughout the year:

Marching Virginians Alumni Association

A Cleaner World, Uniform Repair and Maintenance

Aztec Rental, Equipment Rental

Casey Underwood and staff, Head Groundskeeper, Lane Stadium

Scott McKenzie, music arranger

Rod Harkins, music arranger

Brian Nozny, percussion arranger

David Holley, percussion arranger

Valley Repair Service, instrument equipment, repair, and maintenance

Virginia Tech Administration

Virginia Tech Athletics Department

Virginia Tech Tailor Shop

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MV FACTS
With a membership of 356, representing 15 states, 84% of the band members
are from Virginia.

The Marching Virginians will perform at six home games and two away
games this season.

The Marching Virginians are supported by a 30-member flag corps and two
feature twirlers.

Director of The Marching Virginians, Dave McKee, is in his 34th year with
the band and has his own “bobblehead” character.

Assistant Director Chad Reep is in his first year with the band.

Music Arranger James Sochinski has spent over 40 years with the band.

The Voice of The Marching Virginians is Mike Sparrer, an alumnus from the
MV Drumline who graduated in 1993. Mike is also the voice of Virginia
Tech Men’s Basketball and is in his second full year with the band.

Daily operations of the band are managed by a student staff selected by the
band leadership.

Service to the band is also provided by Kappa Kappa Psi (ΚΚΨ) and Tau Beta
Sigma (ΤΒΣ), the National Honorary Band Service Fraternity and Sorority.

The Marching Virginians rehearse 90 minutes every weekday with occasional

additional weekend rehearsals in order to prepare a different show for each
2017 home performance.

Each show requires over 5,000 man-hours, resulting in a total of 35,000 hours
(four years) on the marching field.

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MV FACTS: INSTRUMENTATION
PICCOLO 36

CLARINET 36

ALTO SAXOPHONE 24

TENOR SAXOPHONE 12

TRUMPET 63

HORN 27

TROMBONE 36

BARITONE 14

TUBA 23

PERCUSSION 37

DRUM MAJOR 2

FEATURE TWIRLER 2

FLAG CORPS 30

MANAGER 14

TOTAL 356

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MV FACTS: HOME STATES
CONNECTICUT 2

DELAWARE 1

FLORIDA 2

GEORGIA 3

INDIANA 1

ILLINOIS 1

IOWA 1

MARYLAND 10

MASSACHUSETTS 1

NEW HAMPSHIRE 1

NEW YORK 1

NEW JERSEY 13

NORTH CAROLINA 8

PENNSYLVANIA 10

TENNESSEE 1

VERMONT 1

VIRGINIA 299

TOTAL 356

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MV FACTS: AREAS OF STUDY
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Agribusiness (AGRB) 1
Agriculture and Applied Economics (AAEC) 2
Agricultural Sciences (AGSC) 1
Animal and Poultry Science (APSC) 12
Biochemistry (BCHM) 6
Dairy Science (DASC) 3
Environmental Horticulture (EHRT) 2
Environmental Science (ENSC) 1
Food Science and Technology (FST) 3
Human Nutrition, Foods, and Exercise (HNFE) 9
Life Sciences, Undecided (LFSC) 1
Water: Resources, Policy, and Management (WRPM) 1
Wildlife Conservation (WLC) 2

College of Architecture and Urban Studies

Architecture (ARCH) 7
Building Construction (BC) 1
Industrial Design (IDS) 2
Interior Design (ITDS) 2
Landscape Architecture (LAR) 1
Public and Urban Affairs (PUA) 1

Pamplin College of Business

Accounting and Information Systems (ACIS) 8
Business Information Technology (BIT) 5
Business, Undecided (BUS) 2
Finance (FIN) 3
Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) 2
Management (MGT) 2
Marketing (MKTG) 5

College of Engineering
Aerospace Engineering (AE) 2
Aerospace Engineering/Ocean Engineering Double Major (DAE) 1
Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) 5
Chemical Engineering (CHE) 6
Civil Engineering (CE) 6
Computer Engineering (CPE) 5
Computer Science (CS) 13
Electrical Engineering (EE) 3
General Engineering (GE) 24
Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) 8
Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) 4
Mechanical Engineering (ME) 19
Mining Engineering (MINE) 1
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MV FACTS: AREAS OF STUDY
College of Liberal Arts and Human Science
Cinema (TAC) 1
Classical Studies (CLA) 1
Criminology (CRI) 3
English (ENGL) 3
German (GER) 2
History (HIST) 2
Human Development (HD) 7
International Relations (IREL) 1
Music (MUS) 29
National Security and Foreign Affairs (NSFA) 2
Philosophy (PHIL) 1
Public Relations (PR) 1
Political Science (PSCI) 6
Professional and Technical Writing (PTW) 1
Residential Environments and Design (RED) 1
Sociology (SOC) 2
Theatre Arts (TA) 3

College of Natural Resources and Environment

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) 2
Meteorology (MTRG) 2
Natural Resources Conservation (NRC) 3
Packaging Systems and Design (PSD) 7

College of Science
Biochemistry (BIOC) 5
Biology (BIOL) 15
Chemistry (CHEM) 2
Computational Modeling and Data Analytics (CMDA) 6
Economics (ECAS) 1
Geosciences (GEOS) 1
Mathematics (MATH) 11
Microbiology (MIC) 6
Neuroscience (NEUR) 9
Physics (PHYS) 5
Psychology (PSYC) 8
Systems Biology (SYSB) 1

University Studies (US) 17

*Double-majors have been included twice according to each area of study

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