Director - David McKee
David McKee is in his twenty-second 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. 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 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 - William Petersen
William Petersen joined the faculty of Virginia Tech in August of 2005 as Assistant Director of The
Marching Virginians, Director of the Hokie Pep Band, and conductor of the University Campus Band. In
addition, Mr. Petersen teaches tuba and euphonium, coaches chamber music and serves as the tubist in the
Virginia Tech Faculty Brass Quintet. He holds the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music
(Wind Conducting) degrees from the Indiana University School of Music where he was active with both
concert and athletic bands, serving as the director of the Women’s Basketball Band, All-Campus Band,
and manager of the Indiana University Summer Music Clinic.
Mr. Petersen has studied conducting with Stephen Pratt, Ray Cramer, and Doug Stotter, marching band
techniques and arranging with David Woodley, and tuba with the international renowned soloist and tuba
pedagogue Daniel Perantoni.
Mr. Petersen previously served as Assistant Director of Bands at La Porte High School in La Porte, TX
where he conducted the Symphonic Band and served as Assistant Director of the Mighty Bulldog Marching
Band. He has worked as a clinician of concert and marching bands in several states and is a member of
CBDNA, NBA, MENC, VMEA and Kappa Kappa Psi-National Honorary Band Fraternity.
Music Arranger - James Sochinski
James Sochinski, in his thirtieth year at Virginia Tech, holds the B.M. from the University of
Missouri-Columbia, the M.M. from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, and the
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.
Administrative Assistant - Shelby Cole
Shelby Cole has been in the has been in the Department of
Music since 1997 with primary responsibility as administrative assistant to
the band directors and recruitment/outreach activities. She has completed a
number of staff development courses and continues to pursue additional
educational opportunities to further enhance her employment skills. She is
an honorary member of The Marching Virginians and of Tau Beta Sigma.
A native of North Carolina, she has lived in Virginia 30+ years and resides
in Shawsville, with Penny, a terrier/poodle companion. She serves as
treasurer of her church, is past president of the United Methodist Women and
spends her spare time with her family, that includes 2 grandchildren, and
attending Tech football and basketball games. Her hobbies include
gardening, crafting and cooking.
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. After a short stint in Fairfax, they moved back to
Blacksburg in the summer of 2006 with their two cats (hokie burnt
orange, of course!), Chef and Caesar. They are active in the music
programs at Blacksburg United Methodist Church and are loving living in
the mountains.
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..., will be 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
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 VT in 2004 with his BS in Computer Science. Linda Correll
graduated in 2003 with a BS in Biology, and then began work on a Research Masters in Biology.
After 3 years, she decided that she didn’t like what she was doing, but really enjoyed being a GTA,
so she switched to an Education Masters and transferred to the Northern Virginia VT campus. She
received her MAED in the Summer of 2007. Not to be outdone in his own household, Paul
began a Masters in Software Engineering at George Mason University in the Fall of 2006.
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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