Polly Middleton: Marching Virginians, Hokies Pep Band, Campus Band

Polly Middleton is assistant director of the Marching Virginians, director of the Hokies Pep Band, and director of the Campus Band at Virginia Tech. Previous to her appointment at Virginia Tech, she was completing coursework for a doctorate in music education at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she studied with James Keene and Robert Rumbelow. At the University of Illinois, Middleton conducted the University Band, directed the Basketball Band, taught the Marching Illini, and supervised student teachers. She earned the master of music degree in wind conducting from Indiana University, where she studied with Stephen Pratt. She received a bachelor of music education degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she was a drum major for the Marching Illini.

Middleton was the associate director of bands at Plainfield High School in Plainfield, Illinois, and worked with all aspects of the program, including concert bands, chamber ensembles, jazz band, and athletic bands. She is an active clinician and serves on the conducting faculty at the Indiana University Summer Music Clinic in Bloomington, Indiana. She is an active performer and played horn in the top ensembles at Indiana University and the University of Illinois.

Middleton maintains professional affiliations with the College Band Directors National Association, College Music Society, National Association for Music Education, and National Band Association. She is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma and received the Gary E. Smith award for excellence in the Marching Illini and Wind Symphony. In 2011, Middleton received the A. A. Harding Award, the most prestigious recognition awarded for outstanding performance, achievement, and service to the University of Illinois Bands.