Honoraries

Tau Beta Sigma
Zeta Omicron at Virginia Tech

Our Honorary Members:

Vernon Burnsed Dr. Vernon Burnsed was assistant director of the Marching Virginians from 1978-1980. He currently teaches music education and research courses, and advises all the music education students at Virginia Tech.
Patrick Casey Dr. Patrick Casey was the assistant director of the Marching Virginians from 2004-2005, and also directed the University Symphonic Wind Ensemble and University Chamber Winds while he was at Virginia Tech. He is a brother of the Lambda chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. He is currently a Visiting Associate Professor of Music at Indiana University. He was initiated in the fall of 2006, Beta Zeta class.
Shelby Cole Shelby Cole has been an administrative assistant to the Department of Music since 1997. She is also in charge of recruitment and outreach for the department. She is an honorary member of the Marching Virginians in addition to being an honorary of Tau Beta Sigma. She was initiated in the spring of 2003 with the Alpha Psi class.
George Councill George Councill was the assistant director of the Marching Virginians from 1975-1978. He was initiated with our founding class in 1979.
Jay Crone William (Jay) Crone is the current head of the Department of Music at Virginia Tech. He was the assistant director for the Marching Virginians from 1993-2004. He is the current professor of low brass (trombone, euphonium, tuba), and is the director of the Trombone Choir and Tuba Euphonium Ensemble. He also performs with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra and Opera Roanoke. He was initiated in the spring of 1996 with the Alpha Iota class.
Tony Distler Dr. Paul Antonie "Tony" Distler has been the Voice of the Marching Virginians since its conception in 1974. At that time, he was the head of the Department of Performing Arts and Communication, and was given the task of creating an all-university marching band from then President Hahn. He is an Alumni Distinguished professor emeritus at Virginia Tech. The Marching Virginians' observation tower at the practice field has been named in honor of Dr. Distler. He was initiated in the fall of 1995 with the Alpha Kappa class.
Debi McCoy Debi McCoy was the music department and Marching Virginians secretary.
Dave McKee Dave McKee is the current director of the Marching Virginians. He came to Virginia Tech in 1984 to pursue a graduate degree in music education, and became director of the MV's in 1986. He is also the director of the University Symphony Band, and the Zeta Omicron chapter sponsor. He was initiated in the spring of 1990 with the Psi class.
Will Petersen Will Petersen is the current assisant director of the Marching Virginians, and has been on the faculty since 2005. He is also the director of the Hokies Pep Band and the University Campus Band. He is also a brother of the Alpha Zeta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Indiana University, and is the Eta Beta chapter's co-sponsor. He was initiated in the fall of 2006, Beta Zeta class.
Harry Price Harry Price was the first full-time director of the Marching Virginians from 1981-1986. During his time here, the band grew to 330 members, which became the standard size, and is also where our slogan "330 strong" began. He also started Band Parent's Day, and worked on making an official logo for the MV's. He is currently a professor of music and the chair of music education at the University of Oregon.
Pam Rogers She was initiated with our founding class, in the spring of 1979.
James Sochinski Dr. James Sochinski is a current professor of music at Virginia Tech. He was the director of the Marching Virginians from 1978-1990. He also directed the Highty Tighties during the fall of 1978. He is also the resident arranger for the Marching Virginians, which include our current arrangements of VPI Victory March, the Hokie Pokie, and our pregame Colors presentation. He currently teaches courses in music theory, history, and literature, and also actively composes and arranges music. He also performs with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra as the bass trombonist. Known to the band as "Uncle Jim", Dr. Sochinski created the 'signature' sound of the Marching Virginians. He was initiated with our founding class, in the spring of 1979.
Paul E. Torgerson Dr. Paul Torgerson was the 15th president of Virginia Tech from 1994-2000.
David Widder Dr. David Widder is the current clarinet professor at Virginia Tech. He also conducted the University Symphonic Wind Ensemble for thirty years. He was assistant director of the Marching Virginians from 1974-1975. He is also the co-sponsor of the Eta Beta chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi here at Virginia Tech.