Purdue All-American Marching Band

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Purdue All-American Marching Band
Image:Purduebands.jpg
School Purdue University
Location West Lafayette, IN
Conference Big Ten
Founded 1886
Director Jay Gephart
Members 343
Uniform Black military style, white overlay with gold trim and block P

The Purdue All-American Marching Band is the marching band of Purdue University. The Purdue All-American Marching Band (AAMB) is the primary source of auxiliary entertainment for Purdue University football games. AAMB does many service performances for high schools, junior high schools, and elementary schools, and has been the host band of the Indianapolis 500 race every year the race has been held since 1927. The band has grown from an original 5 members to over 300 members, making it one of the largest marching bands in the world. The two most distinctive features of the AAMB are the World's Largest Drum and solo baton twirler the Purdue Golden Girl.

Contents

[edit] History

In 1886 the Purdue Student Army Training Corps produced 5 men who provided music for the Army trainees to listen to during their morning conditioning runs. While operating without a director until 1904, the band had started playing at Purdue football games and had grown to over 50 members. In 1904, Paul Spotts Emrick, joined the band. His experience as a conductor resulted in his election as band president and director the next year. During his senior year at Purdue, the marching band, under Emrick, became the first band to break rank and form a letter on the field--the famous Block "P".[1]

Emrick stayed on as director after his graduation in 1908. In 1921 Emrick commissioned Leedy to construct the World's Largest Drum, and it has been a part of the marching band ever since. In 1935, during a Purdue football game at Northwestern University the band donned lights on their uniforms while performing at halftime. With the stadium lights turned off for the performance, the band drew such awe from radio broadcaster Ted Husing, he referred to them as a "truly All-American marching band," hence the current title of the band.

Emrick retired in 1954, and to date the band has been under the direction of just four other men:

  • Dr. Al G. Wright (1954 - 1981)
  • William C. Moffit (1981 - 1988)
  • Dr. David A. Leppla (1990 - 2006)
  • Jay S. Gephart (July 1, 2006 - present)

In 1995 the All-American Marching Band was the recipient of the Sudler Trophy, the most prestigious award a college marching band can receive.

[edit] Golden Girl

Purdue's Golden Girl ranks among the nation's best twirlers and is at the top of her art form. This talented performer is selected by audition each April, and serves as a leader of the AAMB as well as an ambassador for Purdue University. Recognized nationally for her unique talents, this coveted position has roots going back to the early history of Purdue Bands. The tradition of the Golden Girl was begun in 1954 during the era of quarterback Len Dawson, whose poise on the field prompted the press to nickname him Purdue's "Golden Boy." At the same time, Dr. Al G. Wright (now Director of Bands Emeritus) brought his first twirling protégé to the field, Juanita Carpenter, who earned the title of "Golden Girl." When Dawson graduated Purdue was left without a Golden Boy, but Carpenter's graduation didn't have the same effect on her title. Instead "Golden Girl" evolved into a movable crown that's been passed down through generations, and the position has become the standard for excellence within the twirling community. Golden Girl #26 Tierney Brown, a senior from Bloomington, IN majoring in management, starts as the new Golden Girl for the 2008 season. [1]

[edit] Marching band pioneers

The Purdue All-American Marching Band has pioneered a number of accomplishments. It was the first band to:

  • break rank on a football field to make a formation (The Block "P"), 1907
  • carry the colors of the Big Ten, 1919
  • play opposing school fight song, 1920
  • wear their hats backwards after a conference victory
  • have a member to walk on the moon (Neil Armstrong, Baritone player)

[edit] Band composition

Pre-game ceremonies at Ross-Ade Stadium
Pre-game ceremonies at Ross-Ade Stadium

As the band stands now, it contains numerous woodwind, brass instrument, percussion and auxiliary members. The wind instruments are organized in ranks of 10, the percussion consists of a drumline, drum majors and the World's Largest Drum, and auxiliary performers are organized by their type of performance. A section of Big Ten Flag carriers exists for pregame drill.

  • Auxiliary
    • Twirling Line
    • Golden Silks (Flag Corps)
    • Goldusters (Dancers/Pom Squad)
  • Solo Twirlers
    • Golden Girl
    • Girl in Black
    • Silver Twins

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Norberg, John (1987). Hail Purdue. The "ALL-AMERICAN" Band Club, 42. ISBN 0-9617991-0-2. 
Preceded by
James Madison		 Sudler Trophy Recipient
1995		 Succeeded by
Nebraska
v • d • e
Marching bands of the Big Ten Conference