John Vukmanich, Sr. (Mr. V) Music Learning Lab
Please help us honor Mr. Vukmanich(Sr.) with a donation to support the naming of a Music Learning Lab as John Vukmanich, Sr. Music Lab. Mr. V had incredible success and influence on Virginia High School students. A native Iron Ranger, Mr. Vukmanich began his teaching career in 1964 in the tiny Northwestern Minnesota town of Lake Bronson. After moving back to the Iron Range, he began teaching High School band at Virginia High School in 1975. He immediately earned a reputation as a teacher with very high standards, and in a couple short years, the Virginia High School Band had earned a reputation for musical excellence. Mr. Vukmanich also established a rigorous marching band program, the Virginia Marching Blues, who became renowned for their precision street marching, field shows, and showmanship. The Marching Blues won critical acclaim both in Minnesota and nationwide competing against the best bands in the nation. While the Marching Blues achieved some of the highest accolades as Aquatennial Grande Champion, Hopkins Raspberry Festival Champion, MN Prep Bowl Select Band, and Calgary Stampede Field Champions, the root of the program remained the concert bands, who earned Superior Ratings, the highest rating allowed, in all years of competition. Numerous students of Mr. Vukmanich went on to careers in music and the music industry. Retiring in 1999, his band legacy lives on as one of uncompromising excellence and devotion to music as a discipline and art form.