The Cavalier Marching Band gathered on South Lawn Friday evening at 7:15 p.m. to perform “Community Togetherness Through Music,” a program in honor of the three Virginia football players — sophomore wide receiver Devin Chandler, junior wide receiver Lavel Davis Jr. and junior linebacker D'Sean Perry — who were shot fatally Sunday night.
About 100 attendees gathered to hear the band play, one day ahead of what would have been the band’s final performance at a regular home football game. Instead, Virginia football’s scheduled game against Coastal Carolina was canceled and a memorial service was held Saturday afternoon at John Paul Jones Arena to celebrate the lives of the victims.
“Through music we hope to spread a sentiment of peace and unity this evening,” said Elliott Tackitt, director of bands and assistant professor of music. “Knowing that we are strong when we are together, when we are able to lean on one another and also to lift one another up.”
The group performed “Nessun Dorma,” “Amazing Grace,” “You Raise Me Up,” and a slowed version of “The Good Old Song.” Between songs, members of the band shared short entries from journals they had written throughout the week, offering messages of support and guidance to one another. Members of the audience could be seen holding one another and swaying to the music.
