Field leadership and Officers are part of a very big team that make the band run so smoothly during the season and the off-season. One amazing thing about leadership in general is that they set a precedent for rookies, current members, and even future members and officers to the band. Often, this involves feelings of mutual respect, accountability, and dependability so that the band can work together as a cohesive unit of experienced musicians and caring individuals.
“I wanted to be an officer because I love the MVs and I want to give back to the organization and help any way I can. The MVs have always been there for me and by giving back I can be there for the MVs.”
Brandon Teague standing with the 2018-2019 pep band; Source: Facebook
The difference between field leadership and officers is that officers work on the behind the scenes logistics of events for the band and involve a lot of pre-planning, before/after-the-field kind of work. Sometimes, this means meeting extra with the directors to organize, edit, and publish scripts, photos, ads, logos, and music or taking a break from rehearsal to get pictures, to fix an instrument, to print extra music, or to take attendance. For some, this also means taking the work of an officer home with you, and sometimes continuing throughout the school year. Of course, it depends on what officer role an individual has to permit these kinds of actions, but the importance is understanding the responsibility of the roles together.
Jada Braxton posing on Halloween with her friend at her hometown park; Source: Jada Braxton
“I am very eager to learn more about being an officer and to serve my fellow bandmates! I want to grow from other leaders around me and observe how we can all make the band thrive. I am very excited to be an officer and I look forward to seeing happy, healthy marchers with happy, healthy instruments!”
While the responsibilities of an officer may seem daunting, we are still MVs with the Spirit of Tech flowing through us. We remain positive and focused so that we can lift others up and encourage each other to always be striving for excellence, wherever that may lead us. For me, being an officer has always meant being the most positive I can be so that others may depend on me if they need me.
“I wanted to be an officer so that I could give back to others in the MVs just as senior members provided me with guidance and care this past year. I wanted to be able to have people depend on me while also being able to help them in any way I could.”
Jillian Sasso with her birthday sword on July 10th, 2020; Source: Mrs. Sasso
I remember check-in day like it was yesterday. I was a freshman and had no idea where I was going, where the Marching Virginians Center was, or how to get there. A 20 minute walk turned into a 45 minute overshot to the German Club Manor where I trekked back through their wall of bushes to the giant gray building next door. I showed up sweaty, hot, and perturbed by the travel distance with my clarinet in hand. The officers at check in immediately asked if I was okay or if I needed water, showing me a kindness that genuinely surprised me and I’ve felt ever since by our amazing officer teams these past three years.
The list of the MVs 2021-2022 MV Officers; Source: Callie Ayala
Being a leader in the MVs is more than just the marvelous team you work with, it’s about the impact you make each and every day within the members of your group and the kindness we show each other.
Emery Poulsen chillin by the pylons on January 28th, 2021; Source: Amanda Ljuba
“I wanted to be an officer because the Marching Virginians mean a lot to me and I want to serve the organization in any way I can!”
As we look forward to a, hopefully, more normal semester and could share any advice with future leaders of the MVs, it would be to continue to show kindness: To continue to be empathic.