As our new drum majors prepare to step onto the podium this August, these dedicated women are excited and eager to show next year’s 330 strong what they can do. Checkout their backgrounds:
One of our new drum majors, Caroline Bingham, at the drum major photoshoot with a zoomed lens to stay socially distanced; Source: Nayha Pochiraju
“My name is Caroline Bingham! I’m currently a Junior double majoring in Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience and Music, and I’m hoping to become a Pediatrician. I play the Trumpet in the MVs where I served as rank captain this past year. I am from Stafford, VA where I marched all through high school. Outside of MVs I am in multiple ensembles on campus including: Wind Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble, and Pep Band. I love reading, hanging out with my friends and family, and catching up on reality TV. My favorite color is orange, and I am a member of Virginia Tech’s band service sorority, Tau Beta Sigma.”
One of our new drum majors, Cami Kudrna, at the drum major photoshoot with a zoomed lens to stay socially distanced; Source: Nayha Pochiraju
“My name is Camille (Cami) Kudrna and I am from Columbia, Missouri and I am currently pursuing my degree in Mechanical Engineering. I’m not only involved in the MVs, but I also play piccolo in the Hokies Pep Band and typically participate in Symphony Band in the spring semester! Besides band, I am also heavily involved in the planning and execution of Relay For Life at Virginia Tech, I am the President and Co-Founder of the FIRST Alumni Association at Virginia Tech, and am an Undergraduate Teaching Assistant! When I’m not doing school-related activities, I love watching sports (gymnastics, football, and basketball mostly), getting outside, laughing with my friends, and drinking iced tea!”
Which part of being drum major of the Marching Virginians are you most excited for?
Caroline: I am most excited for game days back in lane and hopefully getting to do the march down to the stadium again.
Cami: I am most excited to see the progress made from the beginning of the season to the end of the season; watching the band grow, improve, and come together throughout the season will be awesome! I am also excited to conduct the band in front of a (hopefully) full Lane Stadium!
Why did you decide to audition for drum major?
Caroline at rehearsal, eyeing the camera woman: Source; Lexie Hackman
Caroline: I auditioned for DM because I absolutely loved doing it in High school and wanted to do it again in college. The deal was sealed for me though when I auditioned after my freshman year and got to conduct the band to Superman during the audition. It was insane and I loved every minute of it and kept auditioning again and again until the opportunity presented itself and I was ready for the role.
Cami: I have wanted to be a drum major for a college band since my freshman year of high school. I was extremely inspired by my drum majors that year to put in the work to improve my conducting skills and become a better leader, not only for band but for life. Since then, I have fallen in love with being in The Marching Virginians, which pushed me even more to continue to strive to be drum major!
What stand tune are you most excited to conduct and why?
Caroline: Probably Superman? Or the Hokie Pokie? I don’t know, it’s hard to choose. I'm excited for all of them!
Cami: I am definitely most excited to conduct Tech Triumph. Not only is it one of the most recognizable tunes we play, but it's every Hokies favorite song because it usually means we scored!
If you could relive one MV memory from your time at VT, what would it be?
Caroline: One memory I would love to repeat was the first time I jumped to Enter Sandman and when I heard the stadium sing after the music ended in Lane. It was just such a special moment. Leadership and the Returners had tried to explain what it would be like before we got there but none of it even came close, and I just remember looking at my friends and we all just had this giant grin on our face and were laughing and yelling so much. I will 100% cry if we all get to be in Lane and jump again this season and it gives me chills everytime.
Cami: The MV memory I would relive is definitely the 6OT win against UNC in 2019. Although my feet were throbbing, I was hungry, and I lost my voice, experiencing a win like that, playing music, and celebrating with some of my best friends was a moment I will never forget. The atmosphere was incredible and I could tell we were contributing to it. It was hands down one of the best football games I have ever been to (and I've been to a LOT)!
Cami cheering on the Hokies in Lane Stadium; Source: Alana Hassett
When you realized you were picked to be drum majors #51 and #52, what went through your mind?
Caroline: This whole experience was insane; I was so excited because Lauren got to call me and it was super special because we were in the same Rank last season, so it was just really sweet that I got to hear it from her and she was so excited and I was so excited it was just very wholesome. I literally ran to my roommate to tell her because she had helped me record some of my videos and had helped me prepare for my audition. I then called my mom and dad (who were on their way home after coming up to take me out for lunch) and we called the rest of the fam and had my entire family and grandparents all on the phone at one time so I could tell them all the good news. They were all so excited and proud and it was just a really good feeling and moment. The biggest thing that kept going through my head was just how excited I was that I was getting this incredible opportunity and how much I was looking forward to getting to work with Cami and the rest of the band. We are going to be such a good team and this is going to be such a good season!! I literally cannot wait to have everyone back on the field again (as long as COVID-19 will let us and it's safe to do so).
Cami: When I found out I was selected, it quite literally felt as though I was in a dream. It didn't feel real. The feeling of achieving something you have been working towards for so long is almost indescribable. All of the stress I had been feeling anticipating the results and other things in my life went away all at once and I was just so happy and excited, not only for myself, but also for Caroline.
Cami (left) and Caroline (right) stuntin’ in Lane Stadium in their game day bibs: Source; Nayha Pochiraju
Even though I’m graduating this semester, I can not wait to come back and see how Caroline and Cami have shaped this band for the better. Their dedication and enthusiasm alone already sets them up for success even before band camp in August. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say congratulations and I wish you both the best of luck for the upcoming season!