The New Virginians

The New Virginians

Company type	Performing ensemble
Industry	Music, Performing arts
Founded	1972
Founder	Stan Kingma
Headquarters	Blacksburg, Virginia , United States
Area served	Virginia and surrounding states, nationwide tours in the United States
Products	Musical variety shows, albums (17 released)

The New Virginians was a performing ensemble originating from Virginia Tech, established in 1972 by Stan Kingma, who previously led the Virginia Tech Glee Club. This group consisted of 24 vocalists and dancers, accompanied by a 12-piece showband, alongside technical and public relations personnel. They produced a musical variety show that toured throughout Virginia and surrounding states, serving as "musical ambassadors of Virginia Tech." On campus, they were recognized for their annual spring "Homeshow" and festive charity Christmas performances.

Spanning over two decades, the ensemble released 17 albums and embarked on a nationwide summer tour in the late 1970s sponsored by Georgia Pacific, which culminated with an appearance on the Dinah Shore Show. The tour was facilitated significantly by Georgia Pacific’s president and former Virginia Tech president T. Marshall Hahn. After the 1978 season, Kingma and several original team members, including Christopher "Kit" Bond, stepped down. Following a short pause, the university reinstated the program in 1979 under John Howell's leadership until spring 1993, when Howell went on to establish the Early Music Ensemble at Virginia Tech. Paul Breske, a founding member and Associate Professor, directed the showband until his passing in 1992.

Reorganization

In 1994, the group underwent restructuring into a 12-member Jazz Choir led by Lisanne Lyons. The original showband was replaced by a rhythm section comprising student musicians on guitar, piano, bass, and drums; this later transitioned to using prerecorded tracks. This Jazz Choir format continued for a decade and achieved notable recognition by winning the Downbeat Award twice as the premier jazz choir in the United States. However, budget reductions at the university in 2004 resulted in the elimination of all vocal and instrumental jazz faculty positions, which led to the dissolution of the group and brought an end to more than three decades of performances under The New Virginians name.

Reunions

In July 2007, over 100 alumni from the Kingma period gathered in Richmond, Va to mark the ensemble’s 35th anniversary. These former members resumed participation as performers and technical staff, rekindling the group's involvement with the community.

Discography

release year	title	format	notes
1993	Rockin the Place Tonight	CD (NVCD-9301) & cassette	Final album; academic year 1992–93
1992	Putting It Together	CD (NVCD-9201) and cassette	20th season; academic year 1991–92
1991	Sing!	CD (NVCD-9101) and cassette	Academic year 1991–92
1990	Dancing in the Street	cassette	Academic year 1990–91
1989	Rising Stars	LP & CD (NVCD-9001)	Academic year 1989–90
1988	American Made	LP and cassette	Academic year 1987–88
1987	Headed for the Future	LP (NVLP-8701) and cassette	Academic year 1986–87
1986	Pour on the Power	LP (WRA1-203)	Academic year 1985–86
1985	That's Entertainment	LP	Academic year 1984–85
1984	Great American Variety Show	LP and cassette	Academic year 1982–83
1982	Reach Out and Touch	LP	Academic year 1981–82
1980	They're Playing Our Song	LP (MRLP-3095)	Academic year 1980–81
1977	Coast to Coast	double LP (MRC-3012)	Recorded at Buck Owens Studios, Oildale, California; academic year 1976–77
1976	Celebrate	LP	Academic year 1975–76
1975	ACT III	LP	Academic year 1974–75
1974	Morning Stars	LP	Academic year 1973–74
1973	Golden Afternoons	LP	Academic year 1972–73
1972	The New Virginians	LP	Debut album; inaugural year; academic year 1971–72

Noteworthy Alumni

• Chil Kong – Served as Performer from 1987 to 1991 and later became the Artistic Director of the Northwest Asian American Theater
• Nancy Glisson Lucy – Competed as a Performer between 1988 and 1992, earned the title of 1993 Miss Virginia, and placed fourth runner-up in the 1993 Miss America competition
• Bob Lambert – Worked as Lighting Director during the late 1970s before advancing to a senior executive role at The Walt Disney Company
• Joan Grady (Gardner) – Crowned Miss Virginia in 1975 and also held the title of Miss Virginia Beach
• Pamela Polk – Achieved the title of Miss Virginia in 1976, reached the Top Ten Finalists, and was recognized as Talent Winner at the Miss America Pageant

External links

• Official New Virginians Alumni website
• Collection of New Virginians videos on YouTube