The Vanderbilt Marching Invitational (VMI) is an annual marching band competition held by the Vanderbilt University "Spirit of Gold" Marching Band and the Eta Phi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, a national honorary band service sorority.

The Inception of the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational:

The Vanderbilt Marching Invitational was born out of a service project proposed by Vanderbilt University's Eta Phi Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, a national co-ed honorary band service organization, in the fall of 1987. It began as a way to raise funds to supplement the scholarships Vanderbilt Spirit of Gold Marching Band members receive. On October 7, 1989, twenty-four bands from five states traveled to Nashville to participate in the first annual Vanderbilt Marching Invitational in conjunction with the Clinic Bowl high school football games. The weekend raised money for both the Spirit of Gold and the Nashville Area Junior Chamber of Commerce Physical Therapy Clinic at Vanderbilt.

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Streaming video of the Vanderbilt Marching Invitational will be available from the VMI Web site

How to Get Tickets for VMI

Individual Ticket Sales: Please call 615-343-2263 to reserve your seat. You may pick up your tickets at the will call window or pick up in person prior to the event day.

School Group Blocks: Please contact your band director who has the ticket order form. As a group, complete the form and return to the Vanderbilt Band office. The reservation will be complete upon delivery of payment (no credit cards). Tickets will be mailed to the director up until Oct. 3rd. After the 3rd tickets will be held at the will call window for the representative to pick up.

For more information, call 615-343-2263 or email the Executive Committee