July 1, 2007

Dear Band Alums:

It is with great pleasure that I invite you to participate in the 2007 Alumni Marching Band at Purdue University! I can’t tell you how excited I am to welcome our alumni back to campus for the first time as Director of Bands. You are such a valuable part of our band history and we want homecoming to be a time when you relive those wonderful memories of being a member of the greatest college marching band in the country. We welcome the involvement of the Purdue Band and Orchestra Alumni Club in planning Homecoming 2007. The PBOAC will sponsor an Alumni Marching Band Barbecue on Friday, Oct. 26, from 5:30-7:00pm. The highlight of homecoming 2007, of course, is the 100 th Anniversary of the “Block P.” Our halftime show will be built around that famous formation, using various “Block P’s” from throughout our history. In Purdue style, we hope to form the “World’s Largest Block P!” This year we will also have a very special reunion opportunity for Spotts/Early Wright Era Alumni!

In this mailing you will find important information regarding homecoming weekend: A schedule of events, enrollment form, lodging details and information on tickets for non-marchers, university instruments, music, uniforms and more. The most important thing to do right now is to make your lodging arrangements as rooms book up quickly. Homecoming forms and information are also available on our web site, www.purdue.edu/bands.

Early registration for alumni band takes place Friday between 3-5:30 p.m. in Elliott Hall. You can pick up your instrument, music and registration packet in Room 30. We had hoped to eliminate the Friday rehearsalbut Saturday’s noon kick-off is requires us to meet for an hour Friday evening to rehearse music after the PBOAC Barbecue. Bill Kisinger will conduct a brief run-through of the show music and talk you through the performance charts.

Later that evening, the university is planning a Homecoming Parade– an “electric light” parade stepping off at 8 p.m. For the first time, we are inviting the alumni to join us in the parade. If enough alumni members are interested, we will form a separate Alumni Band for the parade. If not, we will integrate the alumni into the current AAMB for a wonderful trip down memory lane.Following the parade is the Homecoming Pep Rally at Slayter Center, beginning at 9:30 p.m.

The Saturday morning schedule starts with a marching rehearsal at the drill field. For those who did not pick up their registration materials and music on Friday, registration will take place from 6:30 a.m. – 7:30 a.m. at the drill field. The field rehearsal will be held from 7:30 – 9:15 a.m. If you wish to march you MUST be in attendance for the FULL rehearsal on Saturday morning! Full details on Saturday’s agenda can be found on the enclosed schedule.

I hope this gives you the immediate information you need to plan your return to Purdue. Now you need to help us. Read the enclosed materials CAREFULLY and COMPLETELY and return the registration form by Friday, Sept. 28. Contact Pat Newton, our Administrative Assistant, at panewton@purdue.edu or (765) 494-0770 if you have questions. Remember, you can also register ONLINE at www.purdue.edu/BANDS! Watch the site for Homecoming updates. Thanks again for your ongoing support and your involvement in this fun-filled weekend.

Sincerely,

Jay Gephart

Director of University Bands