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This fall, the Cavalier Marching Band—the general membership and leadership members, drum majors, color guard, and twirlers—marched on the field in new uniforms thanks to support from the UVA Parents Program and an allocation from the Office of the President. The band was launched with a gift from Hunter J. Smith and her husband, the late Carl W. Smith (Col ’51), and through last season wore their original uniforms from 2004.
What follows is a look at the band in their fresh fits on game day, Saturday, Sept. 14.
Game days are a 10-hour commitment for CMB members. To prepare for Virginia Football’s 8 p.m. kickoff against Maryland, the band gathered for a two-hour rehearsal on Carr’s Hill Field. It was the CMB’s annual Band Day, when 250 high school students interested in joining the band participate in a gameday rehearsal and performance.
Select members of the band arrived at Scott Stadium to greet the team bus—a tradition known as the Wahoo Walk.
The Wahoo Walk participants also entertained tailgating fans. On this Saturday, the Leaders in Philanthropy—members of UVA’s pan-University giving societies—gathered before the game.
Cavalier Marching Band members dressed for the game at the Aquatic & Fitness Center. The drum majors’ uniforms are white, while the woodwind, brass, and drumline members wear blue. The orange pattern outside the Cavalier cape was designed by Meg Walker and is drawn from architectural elements of the Academical Village—the same pattern is repeated on the drums.
Elliott Tackitt, Director of Bands, leads a team of four band directors which prepare the CMB for performances. The September 14 halftime show was entitled “Life’s a Beach.”
Tackitt and a small group of Cavalier Marching Band members––known as Fanfare Band–– visited President Ryan’s box and met with the president and his guests. They also spent time with Hunter Smith and her family, acknowledging the band’s beginnings and celebrating the success and dedication of the entire Cavalier Marching Band community.
