Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, October 7, 1994                   TAG: 9410080006
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FORMER MEMBERS JOIN TECH BAND FOR SPECIAL HALFTIME PERFORMANCE

More than 400 of the band's alumni, including members of the original group from 1974, will take part. The current band, at 330 members, already is the largest band in Virginia, and one of the largest on the East Coast.

During the half-time finale the band, along with alumni and high school musicians, will perform Tchaikovsky's ``1812 Overture.''

Tech's marching band was founded by Paul A. "Tony" Distler, now an Alumni Distinguished Professor and director of Tech's Division of Performing Arts.

"As a group, the band is in a class by itself," Distler said of the Marching Virginians. "The difference is musical dynamics. A lot of bands just play at full volume, but the Marching Virginians have an incredible range of dynamics and tonal qualities."

The Marching Virginians includes students from eight undergraduate colleges and nearly every major at Tech. Only 10 percent of its members are music majors.

The band, which also has performed at NFL games, is currently under the direction of David McKee.

The Marching Virginians will rehearse at 10:45 a.m. Saturday on a practice field near Lane Stadium. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. The band also will perform after the game.