Compare that with our guests on Monday. A MUCH larger percentage of members are some form of performing arts major, and the vast majority receive some form of scholarship, hell Michigan even invested and bought all their leadership staff tablets so that they could see the field from above from a camera and have a networked program for writing and adjusting drill.
Both of Tech's bands over perform compared to the investments made in them, but on Monday take a look and see what a school can get when it commits the funds.
The MV's getting a new home and the HT's a new director this year are major steps in the right direction but more is needed.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I am in the unusual position of having relatives in both bands. Two of my children were in the Marching Virginians, one being the drum major and my niece was in the OSUMB. Very different philosophies and very different resources and rewards. I know Dave McKee is extremely proud of the fact the MVs are made up of many majors and the dedication of these students. Watching both, I can't help but think, the MVs are having more fun and are more involved in the game itself. If you watch the stands, the OSU director will be conducting the students but the MV drum majors will be conducting the students and learning to coordinate with officials, tv timeouts and when to play what song. Kudos to OSUMB, they do put on a great show. I grew up just off the OSU campus and they have been doing Script Ohio since at least the 1960s - it is incredible to watch.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I've noticed with Big10 bands and SEC bands that imitate BIG10 bands, the members do not have fun during the game. They basically sit there and play when they're told. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Having said that, The MVs might not put as good of a show on the field in terms of drill precision or musicality, but they're entertaining, they have fun doing it, and they support their team with enthusiasm.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Most music performance classes get 1 credit while requiring waaayyy more rehearsal and performance time, plus individual practice time. The way music classes are setup in college is a joke.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I'm so proud of being an Alum of the Marching Virginians, and getting to see the band continue to grow in the right direction and continue to get the respect of the University Officials. I helped donate money so the current and future members could have their own space to practice and not have to worry about conflicting with the Track and Field practices, port-a-potties, diesel powered lights in the fall when the sun goes down at 5, having to repaint the field every wek, etc. Dave has brought this band a long way and they completely deserve this new facility for all the support and effort they provide for athletics and the community. It is wonderful to see the respect and gratitude non-band members give the Marching Virginians and the HTs. Hell the fans were part of the reason I loved performing during my 5 years in the band! Go Hokies!
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Dave nails it. The band members put in a lot more time an effort than the 1 credit payoff would indicate, but nobody that stays in the band for more than a season would trade that for the world. It's easily the thing I miss most from my time as a student.
I'm glad they finally got a space of their own. As others have alluded to, the MVs aren't the most technical band, nor the most musically superior. BUT I guarantee they support the team as hard as anybody in Lane on any given gameday, and we're fortunate that there are so many students who love music and band enough to essentially use their free time to do that.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
It's also not so bad to get 'free' prime seats to all home football games and all expenses paid trips to a couple nearby away games and all of the postseason (depending on the importance of said postseason game).
So yeah, there are tangible perks, but they're worked for.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Of course those are perks, but that's a lot of work for no hope of a scholarship and only one credit. They are out there because they either A) Love music that much, B) Love the Hokies that much, C) Both. Probably why they seem to have more fun than other bands like OSUMB. They all really want to be there and I love the MVs even more for that fact.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I'll be the first to admit I didn't love the marching as much as I loved the people in the band and going to all the football games.
Looking back, I get a kick out of my GPA swings from fall to spring semester. I averaged about a 0.5 point dip in the fall, but the football games were worth it.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
And free tickets to every home game, and an away game every year, and bowl trips and per diem and swag.
Though for real everyone makes sacrifices fro what we love. It was cool that I got 1k buck as a freshman fro joining the HT's but I wanted to do band in college no matter what, that little amount of money wasn't going to sway my mind.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
glad they finally built a home for the MVs. my roomie was a "bandie" and i got to know a lot of them during my time at VT. hell, i enjoyed hanging out with her and her girlfriends!
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Comments
The running joke is, if you mess up during practice, you get your scholarship taken away.
If I had a dollar every time Dave made that joke...
then you would have basically been on scholarship? HEYOHHHHH
Compare that with our guests on Monday. A MUCH larger percentage of members are some form of performing arts major, and the vast majority receive some form of scholarship, hell Michigan even invested and bought all their leadership staff tablets so that they could see the field from above from a camera and have a networked program for writing and adjusting drill.
Both of Tech's bands over perform compared to the investments made in them, but on Monday take a look and see what a school can get when it commits the funds.
The MV's getting a new home and the HT's a new director this year are major steps in the right direction but more is needed.
I am in the unusual position of having relatives in both bands. Two of my children were in the Marching Virginians, one being the drum major and my niece was in the OSUMB. Very different philosophies and very different resources and rewards. I know Dave McKee is extremely proud of the fact the MVs are made up of many majors and the dedication of these students. Watching both, I can't help but think, the MVs are having more fun and are more involved in the game itself. If you watch the stands, the OSU director will be conducting the students but the MV drum majors will be conducting the students and learning to coordinate with officials, tv timeouts and when to play what song. Kudos to OSUMB, they do put on a great show. I grew up just off the OSU campus and they have been doing Script Ohio since at least the 1960s - it is incredible to watch.
I've noticed with Big10 bands and SEC bands that imitate BIG10 bands, the members do not have fun during the game. They basically sit there and play when they're told. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Having said that, The MVs might not put as good of a show on the field in terms of drill precision or musicality, but they're entertaining, they have fun doing it, and they support their team with enthusiasm.
Most music performance classes get 1 credit while requiring waaayyy more rehearsal and performance time, plus individual practice time. The way music classes are setup in college is a joke.
I'm so proud of being an Alum of the Marching Virginians, and getting to see the band continue to grow in the right direction and continue to get the respect of the University Officials. I helped donate money so the current and future members could have their own space to practice and not have to worry about conflicting with the Track and Field practices, port-a-potties, diesel powered lights in the fall when the sun goes down at 5, having to repaint the field every wek, etc. Dave has brought this band a long way and they completely deserve this new facility for all the support and effort they provide for athletics and the community. It is wonderful to see the respect and gratitude non-band members give the Marching Virginians and the HTs. Hell the fans were part of the reason I loved performing during my 5 years in the band! Go Hokies!
Ugh, those lights...
Dave nails it. The band members put in a lot more time an effort than the 1 credit payoff would indicate, but nobody that stays in the band for more than a season would trade that for the world. It's easily the thing I miss most from my time as a student.
I'm glad they finally got a space of their own. As others have alluded to, the MVs aren't the most technical band, nor the most musically superior. BUT I guarantee they support the team as hard as anybody in Lane on any given gameday, and we're fortunate that there are so many students who love music and band enough to essentially use their free time to do that.
Just 1 credit! I thought 1 credit labs were time consuming!
The female saxophone player at the very end of the video is doing it all wrong:
Keep those cheeks in.
Damn, no scholarships, 1 credit, a sandwich and possibly a pop tart?
I have definitely gained much more respect for the MVs after watching this. I had no idea.
I've always said that the bands are part of what makes college football. Thank you to all MVs past and present.
It's also not so bad to get 'free' prime seats to all home football games and all expenses paid trips to a couple nearby away games and all of the postseason (depending on the importance of said postseason game).
So yeah, there are tangible perks, but they're worked for.
Of course those are perks, but that's a lot of work for no hope of a scholarship and only one credit. They are out there because they either A) Love music that much, B) Love the Hokies that much, C) Both. Probably why they seem to have more fun than other bands like OSUMB. They all really want to be there and I love the MVs even more for that fact.
Oh, trust me, I'm not disagreeing with you. Everything you said is spot on.
I'll be the first to admit I didn't love the marching as much as I loved the people in the band and going to all the football games.
Looking back, I get a kick out of my GPA swings from fall to spring semester. I averaged about a 0.5 point dip in the fall, but the football games were worth it.
We also got apples after halftime.
I don't want anyone making a sick joke about my gameday apples!
That's what I miss the most...
You guys get FOOD? The HT's are given a few crates of sun-warmed water!!!
(Obligatory Back In The Old Corps "And we were thankful! RABBLE RABBLE!!")
And free tickets to every home game, and an away game every year, and bowl trips and per diem and swag.
Though for real everyone makes sacrifices fro what we love. It was cool that I got 1k buck as a freshman fro joining the HT's but I wanted to do band in college no matter what, that little amount of money wasn't going to sway my mind.
glad they finally built a home for the MVs. my roomie was a "bandie" and i got to know a lot of them during my time at VT. hell, i enjoyed hanging out with her and her girlfriends!