This Saturday, as our own Cavaliers put another seven points on the board against Duke, students' ears registered the typical roar of the crowd, followed by something a little surprising.
This Saturday, a note from a trumpet or a beat from a drum did not signal students to cross arms and sway. Instead it was a recording of a University a capella group, The Virginia Gentlemen. The change in Scott Stadium's tune was accepted by some, disappointing to others, and commented on by many.
Brandon Wooten, fourth-year College student and president of The Virginia Gentlemen, explained that the VG's were approached by a representative of the Office of Athletic Promotions and asked to come up with a recording to replace the pep band in leading the victory song.
"Last night was a trial run," Wooten said. "It was the first time we'd even heard our recording in the context of a crowded stadium."
Wooten and The Virginia Gentlemen hope to return to the recording studio soon to adjust the pace and style of their version of "The Good Old Song."
"I would like to make the recording peppier and a little faster," Wooten said. "It was hard to predict how it would sound in the stadium when we were in the recording studio, but I have a better idea of it now."
Many students agreed with Wooten's ideas about the pace. Second-year Medical School student Brent Carothers commented that he missed the pep band because "[the song] seemed a little slow last night."
First-year College student Jamie Hamilton felt the crowd seemed lost in the lyrics of the song. "The crowd seemed out of sync," he said. "I followed the words on the screen, but it seemed that everyone was singing a different line."
The volume at which the recording was broadcast might explain some of the confusion. Third-year College student Alison Lee said, "I didn't even notice the recording at first, and once I heard it, it was hard to follow."
Andrea Hunter, who graduated last May, commented, "I love the VG's, but it didn't work for a game atmosphere."
Despite these criticisms, first-year Engineering student Max Coulter was impressed with the results of the recording. "I was impressed by the school spirit I saw -- everyone singing together was a bonding experience," he said.
For now, The Virginia Gentlemen hope to tweak the recording to better suit the stadium, and students continue to adjust to a new version of the old classic.
"Anything different is going to take some adjustment," Wooten said. "Anything new is going to throw people off at first."
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