This post was written by VTCG member, Scarlett Forster.
The Marching Virginians have dozens of traditions and chants that make us unique to other bands. We have our March to Victory, the pregame concert, chants in the stands, a plethora of fun activities we do to further the hype and energy of every gameday. During our trip to the University of Maryland last Saturday in support of the Hokies playing in SECU Stadium, I was ecstatic to get to witness the traditions the Mighty Sound of Maryland, affectionately known as MSOM, had on gameday! I was even lucky enough to interview a few members of the low brass section to hear their side of the night.
The VTubas ready for a Hokie win. Photo credits to Grant Erickson
My two interviewees were Colin, a second year trombone, and Nick, a second year member of the tuba section. Here's what they had to say:
Why did you choose to join the Mighty Sound of Maryland?
Colin: “I knew a couple of friends who were doing MSOM, and I really loved the environment. The reason I ultimately stayed was there were so many people who I got to know better and got to be like a family.”
Nick: “I didn’t do marching band my freshman year. I was worried it was going to be a big time commitment. I did do pep band that year though, and through that I met a lot of people through the tuba section that brought me back into the band world after I had done it throughout high school. It was a natural progression to do MSOM, and a great way to get to know more people.
What is your favorite tradition of the MSOM band or your section?
Colin: “During pregame, we have a set called “Shell,” where we run around in a bunch of different directions to get to the next set. Each section does different things to get to their net set, like the trombones who do a 20 person kick line. I think it's really fun and unique to MSOM and it's something that everyone enjoys.”
Nick: “Something we do in the stands that I like is a combination of things, starting with a “Bone Cheer,” where we play an excerpt of a song and after, we see how long people can hold their instruments over their heads, mainly the saxophones. I do it with my tuba because I think it is funny. It’s a cool thing to anticipate each game because we don't do it at the same time every game, just in the third quarters.”
A wonderful MV pregame performance. Photo credits to Grant Erickson
What is your favorite stand tune MSOM plays? What is your favorite stand tune the MVs played?
Colin: “My favorite stand tune, and I think it’s liked very much in the low brass section, is Motownphilly. My favorite MV stand tune was Swag Surfin. Your arrangement was very cool and all of the trombones were dancing to it.
Nick: Motownphilly, its a unanimous low brass love. I also like War for every kickoff, it’s from Mars from the Symphony of the Planets. I just kind of like the vibe it creates. We don't really have a stand tune at the level of other bands, but it's the closest we get to a well known frequent intimidation stand tune.
Did you enjoy having a visiting band?
Colin: “I absolutely did love having another band there. A majority of the time, people don't pay attention to the band except for the fifth quarter set. Having a whole other group kind of helps to appreciate what the band is doing and we are able to appreciate what y'all are doing and playing.
Nick: “Yes! I think some of the highlights were right before you did your pregame and seeing some of the MVs run through the alley. I thought it would've been cool to do fifth quarter together rather than being up in the stands, because it would've been neat to be able to meet and interact, but just being there was still cool and having another group who has that much passion for their team that isn't frat guys is a good experience!”
The Hokies hype in the stands! Photo credits to Grant Erickson
What are you most looking forward to for the rest of this season?
Colin: “I really like game days even though the rehearsals get very repetitive sometimes. We never do a full run of the show until the actual show itself, so the vibes of gameday are high because we are excited to perform and hangout with each other.
Nick: “There is not a lot of football to look forward to, except maybe Rutgers. We have some cool shows coming up, including a show on Halloween for the Halloween gameday. I do marketing for the band, so I am excited to work on some cool projects in the background. I also like doing the pregame parade around campus and passing around campus, performing in a different way than we normally do.
Getting to hear the perspectives of members not in the MVs really makes you realize how similar we all are. Whether because of our friends, the energy, the pre performance activities, we all are a part of our band programs to contribute something good to gameday. We all love our schools with our whole hearts, and show that through our passion for what we do.
Thank you to Nick and Colin for being featured in this week's blog, and to the Mighty Sound of Maryland for hosting us in College Park!
Until next gameday!