Dear Cavalier Marching Band Alumni Association,

As another marching season draws to a close, we are excited to reflect on a rewarding and riveting time. Like years past, this season brought about seven different halftime shows, featuring the music of pop legends such as the Supremes, Spice Girls, Beyoncé, and Bruno Mars. Our second halftime show of the year, a tribute to America and the armed forces, featured seven amazing high school marching bands from around the state of Virginia and country music legend Lee Greenwood. A select group of students in the band were even given the chance to design their own halftime show, an ode to the technological age featuring the songs of Blondie, Adele, and Tommy Tutone. This season also saw a return of many friendly faces in the form of Alumni band, which included a trumpet feature in the classic “Big Noise from Winnetka.”

The 2017 Cavalier Marching Band season could also be remembered as a season of firsts, lasts, and change. Band camp was held for the first time at the Blue Ridge School, a serene boarding school nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains. As the University celebrated its Bicentennial, the CMB was honored to play at the Commemoration event as an accompaniment to the Grand Finale and laser light show. In honor of this 200th anniversary, the CMB dedicated its half time show to the music that characterized the decades, from the big band classic “In the Mood” to Bon Jovi’s timeless “Livin’ on a Prayer.” Our final show of the season was a tribute to Teresa Sullivan—“T-Sully”, as we like to call her—to celebrate her final season as President of the University. The CMB even hosted a “Holiday with the Hoos,” which saw over 600 high school students join forces with the band to perform halftime highlights from throughout the season at John Paul Jones Arena. But perhaps the most surprising event of the year was our selection for the 2017 Military Bowl, UVA’s first bowl eligibility and appearance since 2011. The CMB hit the road and travelled to Annapolis, Maryland, where we performed a pregame parade in the stadium and one final halftime show.

The successes of this year were made possible largely in part by the foundation laid by you, our faithful alumni. The dedication, hard-work, and close-knit bonds made by our program this year are remnants of the kindness and mentorship you expressed during your time at the University. The legacies you have left behind have had a positive impact on countless current members, and it is this leadership that has helped the band soar to new heights. We look forward to seeing what new achievements and traditions are created in the coming years, and we hope that you will continue to support us as we march into another promising and rewarding season.

Wahoowa!

The 2017-2018 Cavalier Marching Band Drum Majors

Catherine Pollack, Liz Peratt, Virginia Crabtree, and Amanda Yi