Director - David McKee
David McKee is in his twenty-fourth year as Director of The Marching Virginians. Under his
direction, the MVs have established themselves as a nationally-respected marching band program.
The band has enjoyed a high profile in national venues while fostering a culture of professional
musicianship, student leadership, and high-energy performance. While many of the positives
surrounding the program can be attributed to the rise of football prowess, the band has
demonstrated enhanced creativity, a broad range of programming, community activism, and
excellence in every aspect of performance.
Prior to his appointment, McKee served as Assistant to the Director in 1985. Before coming to
Virginia Tech as a graduate assistant, he was Director of Bands at
Westmoreland (TN) High School
and Park
View High School in Sterling, VA. A native of Lynchburg, he holds degrees from
Shenandoah
College and Conservatory and Virginia Tech.
In addition to directing The Marching Virginians, he conducts the University Symphony Band.
McKee is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference Band Directors Association, past-president
of the Big East Band Directors Association and served on the Athletic Band Advisory Committee
of the College Band Directors National Association. In 2005,
he was awarded a Certificate of Teaching Excellence by the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.
Assistant Director - Tony Marinello
Tony Marinello recently joined the faculty of the Department of Music at Virginia Tech where he
serves as Assistant Director of the Marching Virginians, Director of the
Hokies Pep Band, and Director
of the University Campus Band. He earned a Bachelors degree in Music Education from
Louisiana State University where he served as the 2001 Drum
Major of the LSU Golden Band from
Tigerland. He earned the Master of Music Degree from the
University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
where he was a music education graduate teaching assistant and graduate conducting associate under
Dr. Terrence Milligan.
Marinello has previously taught in the public schools of Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas. When he
served as the Associate Director of Bands at Lakota West High School (OH), the Lakota West Marching Firebirds
marched in the 2008 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. Marinello is also an active
clinician, drill designer, and leadership instructor for numerous marching bands and color guards
throughout Louisiana, Ohio, and Texas. He was a Drum Major and Leadership Instructor for both the
LSU Tigerland
Auxiliary Camp and Fred J. Miller Clinics.
He was the Assistant Conductor of the Cincinnati Junior Youth Wind Ensemble in 2004, its inaugural year. In 2006, Marinello
was one of three conductors in the National Band Association’s Young Conductor Mentor Project at
Illinois State University where he conducted Vincent
Oppido’s Skysplitter! with the
Prairie Wind Ensemble. In the
summer of 2008, Marinello participated in the
NBA’s
International Conductors Symposium in Rome, Italy, where he worked with La Banda dell’Esercito
(Italian Army Band) and Maestro Fulvio Creux.
Tony is also a recreational runner, has completed two half marathons, and is hoping to complete his
first marathon soon. He is a member of the ACC Band Directors Association,
College Band Directors National Association,
Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and the
National Band Association.
Music Arranger - James Sochinski
James Sochinski, in his thirty-second year at Virginia Tech, 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.
Dr. Sochinski serves as principal arranger for the Marching Virginians, with over two hundred and
fifty arrangements during his career at Virginia Tech.
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.
Voice of the Marching Virginians (Announcer) - Tony Distler
Paul Antonie "Tony" Distler, Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus and Director of the
School of the Arts Emeritus at Virginia Tech, has served as the "Voice of The Marching Virginians"
since their creation in 1974. Dr. Distler is an active teacher, performer, director, scholar,
television host, producer, and 501(c)(3) arts consultant.
At Virginia Tech from 1967-2004, Dr. Distler has received the University's W. E. Wine Award
for Teaching Excellence, has published on arts administration and vaudeville in a variety
of journals and books, and has hosted the 13-part television series "A Better Mousetrap"
that was syndicated regionally on PBS stations. His most recent television work was as
producer and host of "Dimensions," a 44-part series of one-hour enrichment programs beamed
via satellite to all the high schools in Virginia.
Dr. Distler is still heard as the voice of Virginia Tech’s Lane Stadium's football pre-game,
halftime, and special presentation programs. Over the past 33 years, his voice has become
synonymous with Virginia Tech football. During a special ceremony in September of 2007, The
Marching Virginians honored him with the naming of the Tony Distler Marching Band Tower.
Approved by the Board of Visitors, this honor celebrates 40 years of exemplary service
to Virginia Tech and his integral role in the creation and success of The Marching Virginians.
Dr. Distler is a Phi Beta Kappa
graduate of Williams College with a B.A. in English.
He received M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in theatre from Tulane
University.
Fiscal Technician - Glenda Dalton
Glenda Dalton serves the Department of Music, Marching Virginians, and the Highty Tighties as Fiscal
Technician and is the Administrative Assistant to the Department Head. She is responsible for
the department's budget and financial affairs, including payroll, accounts payables, purchasing,
grants, special projects, and travel. She is the human resource and personnel representative for
Music, and acts as the fiscal liaison to the Virginia Tech community.
Administrative Assistant - Maggie Houchins
Maggie Houchins joins the MV family as Administrative Assistant with primary responsibility for
the MVs and the entire band program. In her new role, she assists Dave and Tony with the
administration of a wide variety of tasks including recruiting, band camp, and performances
throughout the year. A native of Riner, she has previously worked in the Office of University
Development and the Virginia Tech Foundation on campus. She is married, with one dog and
currently lives in Christiansburg.
Flag Instructor - Lisa VanDyke
Lisa VanDyke has been the MV Flag Instructor since 1994. She graduated in 1990 with a bachelor's
degree in Housing, Interior Design and Resource Management. She marched with the MV Flag Corps
from 1985 to 1990 and was a rank captain 1989-1990.
Lisa married fellow MV alumnus, Chuck VanDyke (Snare '84 - '88, current MV Alumni Association treasurer)
in 1990. They moved to Greensboro, NC, where they still reside today with their son Ryan.
and daughter Reilly. Lisa is a contract Interior Designer with Office Plan, Inc.
Flag Instructor - Sarah McHugh
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 the fall of 2005 in Chester,
VA. After a short stint in Fairfax, Sarah and Matt decided they loved the mountains and hokie
football more than traffic. They moved back to Hokie country in 2006 and now live in Blacksburg,
where they are active in the music programs at
Blacksburg United Methodist Church. Sarah is a
Human Resources Assistant at HHHunt, a regional
real estate development and management company.
Percussion Arranger - Brian Nozny
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 Virginia Tech,
Rutgers University,
Towson University, and
Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Notable ensembles that have premiered
Nozny’s compositions include the United States Air Force Reserve Tuba Quartet and the
12:00 Percussion Ensemble at the University of
North Texas.
Brian’s most recent commission, ...folded..., was premiered by the
University of Kentucky Percussion Ensemble at the
Percussive Arts Society International Convention
in November of 2007.
Nozny's performances and teaching experiences have taken him all over the world - from Georgia to
Jamaca. 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.
Currently, he is a doctoral teaching assistant in percussion at the
University of Kentucky.
Photographer - Bob White
Bob White, (aka Orca, Slide Show Bob) has been snapping pictures of the Marching Virginians since 1981.
Bob, BSEE, 1981 graduate of Virginia Tech served as
executive officer of the MV’s in the 1980-81 season. In that year, Bob decided to move the annual year
end banquet off campus – and to entertain the students, concocted a 20 minute slide show of the years
activities, set to music like 2001 Space Odyssey and McArthur’s Park. The following year, Bob again
volunteered to put together a slide show for the Banquet – but this year, some of the trade mark features
of the show began to take shape. The traditional sunrise, alumni section, and superman closer became
part of the slide show that is still an important part of Bandquet today! Bob was not only responsible
for the traditional bandquet slide show, but as rank captain for the Tuba section, he choreographed
one of the grandest traditions in college football and now an entrenched Hokie tradition – The super
sousaphone Hokie Pokie dance!
Bob and his family, Bonnie Maccubbin, founder of the MV Alumini Association and avid MV supporter,
Taylor White – an MV Bone alum, and future MV, Mac White (trumpet) continue to reside
in Blacksburg and are faithful to the Hokies and MVs, spending countless hours capturing the MVs for all
of history! Year after year, Bob's photos find there way in to programs and press releases, but the best
is left for that big show - 30 minutes where the MVs can drift back and re-live their adventures for that
year.
Videographers - Don & Libby Drapeau
Don and Libby Drapeau serve as the "roof top" photographers for the Marching Virginians and have
done so since the first time the MVs stepped on the football field in Lane Stadium.
Roger Heath, the first director of bands, met Don on the steps in the Performing Arts Building
one late August day and asked him if he had a 35mm camera and, if so, would he be willing to take
some pictures of the new marching band, the Marching Virginians. Don did have a camera and agreed
to get on the roof in Lane Stadium and provide a record of the formations on the field.
Since then, Don has served as the roof top photographer and when it was decided that video
could also serve as a valuable learning resource, Libby became responsible for providing that
record of the performances.
After serving as an elementary teacher for 30 years, Libby retired
and began an 8 year career as a travel agent. After serving
as the Head of the Department of Theatre Arts
for 25 years, Don retired from Virginia Tech in
December of 2002. Both continue to enjoy the energy and appreciate the hard work and contributions
of the Marching Virginians and are delighted to be included as part of the Spirit of Tech family.
Webmaster - Paul & Linda Correll
Paul Correll graduated from Virginia Tech
in 2004 with his BS in Computer Science. Linda Correll graduated in 2003 with a BS in Biology, and
then began work on a Masters degree in Biology. After 3 years, she decided that she didn’t really like
research, but really enjoyed being a Graduate Teaching Assistant, so she transferred to the
Northern Virginia VT Campus to pursue her degree
in education. She received her MAED in the Summer of 2007. Not to be outdone in his own household, Paul
enrolled at George Mason University
and received a Masters in Software Engineering in Spring 2009.
Paul was a KKPsi brother, Linda was a
TBS sister, and both of them
were MV Bones, but that's not how they met. Believe it or not, they actually met in the
Salem High School Band, where they were
fierce musical rivals (in other words, they hated each other!). They started dating when Linda went
off to college and they've been together ever since. Paul and Linda were married at the War Memorial Chapel
on August 5, 2006, in front of family, friends, and LOTS of current and former MVs. They now live in
Sterling, VA, where Paul works for Northrop Grumman
as a Software Engineer, and Linda is a Biology Teacher at
Chantilly High School.
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