Director - David McKee

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 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.

Libby Drapeau 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 & 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.