High-quality compositions preserve musical traditions.

High-quality compositions preserve musical traditions.

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Woody Wingfield, Director of Development for the Jeffersonian Grounds Initiative and 2007 UVa Graduate

“I mean before the Hunter Smith Band Building was opened, I mean, the band really rehearsed any space we could get. We practiced on the hockey field, we practiced inside the Cage. We did get to start rehearsing at Carr's Hill Field where they still rehearse today my last.

“Pregame is the show that the band does before the football team comes out to get the crowd hyped up. So, they form a picture of the Rotunda, they spell out Hoos, and UVa, and Wahoowa and stuff.

“That took us a long time to learn. I remember we were out at the park, over past North Grounds, over by the Law School that first year, and we stood in a position for so long, we killed the grass under our feet. We had actually burned the Rotunda into the grass, we had been standing in that position for so long.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Woody Wingfield, Director of Development for the Jeffersonian Grounds Initiative and 2007 UVa Graduate

“I mean before the Hunter Smith Band Building was opened, I mean, the band really rehearsed any space we could get. We practiced on the hockey field, we practiced inside the Cage. We did get to start rehearsing at Carr's Hill Field where they still rehearse today my last.

“Pregame is the show that the band does before the football team comes out to get the crowd hyped up. So, they form a picture of the Rotunda, they spell out Hoos, and UVa, and Wahoowa and stuff.

“That took us a long time to learn. I remember we were out at the park, over past North Grounds, over by the Law School that first year, and we stood in a position for so long, we killed the grass under our feet. We had actually burned the Rotunda into the grass, we had been standing in that position for so long.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Woody Wingfield, Director of Development for the Jeffersonian Grounds Initiative and 2007 UVa Graduate

Wingfield: “The first song we ever played was — I think it was Land of a Thousand Dances.”

Interviewer: “I’m not familiar with that. How does it go?”

Wingfield: “Oh my god. Dunh, dun dun dun dun, dun dun dun … I think that was it.

“My first role with the band was mostly just a recruiter to put all these flyers up. Then a hurricane came through and blew everything away. So I had to go back and do it again, but we were taking all comers, so really — anybody that could play.

“And by the time January rolled around, we had enough people to form a basketball band. And we did like three or four rehearsals before — I think it was Clemson.

“You know, it's funny, I've actually got a DVD of that first performance, and it's remarkable how much better we are now.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Woody Wingfield, Director of Development for the Jeffersonian Grounds Initiative and 2007 UVa Graduate

Wingfield: “The first song we ever played was — I think it was Land of a Thousand Dances.”

Interviewer: “I’m not familiar with that. How does it go?”

Wingfield: “Oh my god. Dunh, dun dun dun dun, dun dun dun … I think that was it.

“My first role with the band was mostly just a recruiter to put all these flyers up. Then a hurricane came through and blew everything away. So I had to go back and do it again, but we were taking all comers, so really — anybody that could play.

“And by the time January rolled around, we had enough people to form a basketball band. And we did like three or four rehearsals before — I think it was Clemson.

“You know, it's funny, I've actually got a DVD of that first performance, and it's remarkable how much better we are now.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Woody Wingfield, Director of Development for the Jeffersonian Grounds Initiative and 2007 UVa Graduate

“The red flag for me at UVa was that they didn’t have a band.

“I’m a 2007 graduate of the University of Virginia. In high school, the big social circle for me and the big activity was marching band. All my friends were in the band, I ate lunch in the band room, so it was just kind of, ‘How am I going to make friends if they're not in a band?’ You know, ‘How am I going to do this?’

“Funny enough, I was actually on my senior band trip, maybe five days before you had to turn in your deposit to get your spot in the class, some parent came running up to me with a copy of the Washington Post with this little article in there about, you know, ‘UVa Starts Marching Band!’

“That was like all the stars aligning like, okay, now that was enough for me to pull the trigger and come to UVa.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Woody Wingfield, Director of Development for the Jeffersonian Grounds Initiative and 2007 UVa Graduate

“The red flag for me at UVa was that they didn’t have a band.

“I’m a 2007 graduate of the University of Virginia. In high school, the big social circle for me and the big activity was marching band. All my friends were in the band, I ate lunch in the band room, so it was just kind of, ‘How am I going to make friends if they're not in a band?’ You know, ‘How am I going to do this?’

“Funny enough, I was actually on my senior band trip, maybe five days before you had to turn in your deposit to get your spot in the class, some parent came running up to me with a copy of the Washington Post with this little article in there about, you know, ‘UVa Starts Marching Band!’

“That was like all the stars aligning like, okay, now that was enough for me to pull the trigger and come to UVa.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Woody Wingfield, Director of Development for the Jeffersonian Grounds Initiative and 2007 UVa Graduate

“I don't have much of a poker face, so whatever — I can't imagine what my face was doing, but I know I was crying and I made other people cry.

“I was the drum major for the 3 years the band existed when I was here. The last game we played at home, when I realized this is the last time I'm going to be in front of this band, I actually cried. I’m a little embarrassed to say, I actually broke down on the podium.

“At the end we started playing the Good Old Song, and I was up there with the other graduating drum major, and I'll never forget: I started crying, and then he started crying, and then the tuba line started crying, and then everybody started crying.

“And I didn't mean to do that, but it was just sort of a, ‘Thank you for this opportunity,’ kind of cry.”

For more: www.uvastories.org

UVA's Bicentennial Stories initiative from WTJU 91.1 FM tells our collective story. It helps us understand our shared history and make meaning in the University today. And as we look ahead, these stories help us shape the future of the University and our role in a democratic society.

Woody Wingfield, Director of Development for the Jeffersonian Grounds Initiative and 2007 UVa Graduate

“I don't have much of a poker face, so whatever — I can't imagine what my face was doing, but I know I was crying and I made other people cry.

“I was the drum major for the 3 years the band existed when I was here. The last game we played at home, when I realized this is the last time I'm going to be in front of this band, I actually cried. I’m a little embarrassed to say, I actually broke down on the podium.

“At the end we started playing the Good Old Song, and I was up there with the other graduating drum major, and I'll never forget: I started crying, and then he started crying, and then the tuba line started crying, and then everybody started crying.

“And I didn't mean to do that, but it was just sort of a, ‘Thank you for this opportunity,’ kind of cry.”

For more: www.uvastories.org