Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 8, 1993 TAG: 9308090235
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: D2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Gina McKenzie Polich
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The New Virginians was more than just a traveling song and dance extravaganza. The group provided a forum for Virginia Tech students to develop and utilize practical skills introduced in the classroom and opportunities for communities and organizations throughout the Commonwealth to raise funds for their programs.
As a result of ambitious rehearsal and performance schedules, New Virginians developed excellent organizational skills, which are critical in today's highly competitive job market. For example, the group travels as much as 10 weeks out of the academic year. New Virginians must adapt efficient study skills to survive the academic requirements set by both the university and the New Virginians' grade point standards (GPA).
Other marketable skills learned by the group include: professional performing skills, social skills, effective communications, journalism, marketing, advertising, and mechanical and electrical engineering design and operations. The New Virginians also provided a chance for the 80+ students to give back to the Commonwealth something that the Commonwealth had given them _ opportunity.
Former New Virginians have incorporated these achievements and their academics into their personal lives. In the interview, Ms. Lyons stated that she "would work to upgrade the level of musicianship in the group and give students an idea of what is available for them professionally in the outside world."
Perhaps she and Dr. Husser should tell the former New Virginians currently employed in the entertainment business that they learned nothing from the New Virginians' experience and that their careers as: technicians with national touring companies, performers in theme parks in the U.S. and Japan, award- winning communications, advertising and marketing specialists, and costumers are a fluke.
I don't believe that any of these former New Virginians lack for an idea of what is available to them in the outside world or consider themselves failures, certainly not by Virginia Tech's Department of Music standards. Have Dr. Husser and Ms. Lyons told these individuals that they "haven't made it in the real world?"
Not only are we "making it in the real world," but we are getting paid for it.
They also stated that there would be no further use of the group's 18-wheeler. Maybe they should consider returning it to Georgia Pacific, as it was DONATED to the group. I'm certain Georgia Pacific could proably find use for it in these recessionary times. Since the Department of Music has
become so concerned with real world application of its programs, I assume we will no longer see the Marching Virginians dance around the football field to the "Hokie Pokie." Unless the Marching Virginians are preparing to attend clown college, I believe that the Department of Music must view this program as a waste of Virginia Tech resources with regard to the purchases of instruments, uniforms, and bus rental along with the staff salaries needed to reteach college students college students a dance that we all learned as small children.
I have always been told that if it is not broken, don't fix it. Well, it seems that Dr. Husser and Ms. Lyons are going to fix it anyway. I wish them all the best, but it is without my support and that of many other former New Virginians. I now say farewell to a fine tradition - The New Virginians. \
Gina McKenzie Polich of Richmond is a former New Virginian.
by CNB