Great weekend planned for AAMB Alumni Band Oct. 3-4
Register for the fun “on line” for the first time in 2003

There’s probably never been an alumni weekend so jam-packed with fun as the upcoming ALUMNI HOMECOMING BAND on Oct. 3-4!

Parties, rehearsals, a special alumni band concert on the Purdue Mall, dedication of bronze bust of retired AAMB Director Al Wright, opening of the new student/faculty/alumni lounge and lunch at the Armory fill the day. And, of course, there’s the game against Illinois.

Please note there will be NO Friday rehearsal this year although you’re encouraged to go though early registration in Elliott Hall on Friday if you’re on campus. Purdue persuaded the TV folks to allow the Boilermakers a late 3:30 p.m. start time on Saturday so there would be plenty of time for fans to enjoy “coming home” and all the special activities planned on the Purdue Mall. That means that all rehearsals will now be held on Saturday.

To start things off on Friday, Prof. Emeritus Al G. Wright holds one of his famous open houses that is open to all alumni. Then there’s a chance to cheer on the 2003 Purdue “All-American” Marching Band as they “light up” for the Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally on campus.

A complete list of activities, times and dates follows. Please read it carefully. If you need game tickets for your family, call the Purdue Athletics Box Office 1-800-49SPORTS.

If you are on our mailing list, you will receive all this information, plus registration forms, by US mail before the end of July. For the first time this year, we are also offering you the chance to submit your registration on line. If you choose this option, however, you still need to mail your lunch check to complete the registration. The deadline for receiving all materials is Sept. 19, 2003 (deadline has passed).

PURDUE ‘ALL-AMERICAN’ ALUMNI BAND
ALUMNI BAND WEEKEND 2003
OCTOBER 3 & 4, 2003
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2003

3:30-5:30 pm Early registration/instrument sign-out/music folders for those who will be in town today. Sign-in will take place in Room 30 at the Elliott Hall of Music. Those who are able to do so should sign-in and pick up materials today to avoid a last-minute rush tomorrow morning. You should pick up your music and information packet, sign out an instrument if you received notice we would have one for you, purchase the Alumni Band ball cap if you need one, and browse our souvenir table. Note that unlike previous years, there will be NO formal alumni band rehearsal today. The late game time tomorrow allows us to take care of all rehearsing tomorrow!

3:30–5:30 pm AAMB rehearsal at the Third Street Drill Field. You are welcome to attend and observe.

5:30-7:30 pm Open House for all alumni band members and family at the Sousa House – 601 New York Street in Lafayette. Co-hosted by Dr. Al and Gladys Wright and Purdue Bands. Open bar, hors d’oeuvres, band historical memorabilia, and delightful conversation. Come and go as you please. This is a free event – no charge, no reservations necessary, although letting us know on your response sheet if you plan to attend will help us plan effectively.

7:00 pm Campus Homecoming Parade and pep rally. Parade will run from the north stadium parking lot through campus to Slayter Center, where the pep rally will be held. The AAMB will participate. The event should conclude by 9 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2003

8:00 – 9:00 am Registration/instrument sign-out/music folders for those who did not attend to this last night – Elliott Hall of Music, Room 30. PLEASE PLAN TO CHECK IN EARLY ENOUGH SO THAT YOU ARE READY FOR MUSIC REHEARSAL, WHICH WILL BEGIN IN ROOM 15 PROMPTLY AT 9 A.M.! Coffee and donuts available in the Band Lounge. Come dressed in your performance outfit (see details later on this sheet).

9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Music rehearsal, Room 30. Brief run-through of the show music with Professor Kisinger. Immediately after this rehearsal, you will move to the Third Street Drill Field for marching rehearsal.

10:30 a.m. - noon Field rehearsal, AAMB practice field (Third Street next to tennis courts). Be sure you have your music and drill charts with you to keep rehearsal moving along. You MUST have your registration forms returned by the deadline in order to have an assigned spot in the block!

Noon – 1:30 p.m. Lunch for those Alumni Band and family members who purchased lunch tickets – Purdue Armory. If you are interested in having lunch with the group, be sure to check that option on your registration form and include a check for the cost of the lunches.

1:30 p.m. Special ceremony in front of the band entrance to Elliott Hall of Music to unveil and dedicate the commemorative bust of Dr. Al G. Wright.

2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Alumni/AAMB bands pregame concert at the University Stage near the Purdue Bell Tower. ALL Homecoming activities are centered on the Engineering Mall again this year, and as such our concert will be here instead of at Slayter Center.

2:30 p.m. Parade to the stadium down University Mall. Alumni Band will lead, AAMB will follow. Alumni Band members will proceed directly to their stadium seats in the southwest corner of the end zone. Reminder that only Alumni Band members in proper uniform will be admitted to the stadium without tickets. All others must purchase tickets and sit in designated seats (see attached flyer concerning ticket orders).

3:10 pm Pregame show featuring the AAMB. Then it’s Purdue vs. Illinois and a gala halftime show featuring both bands and the Homecoming ceremonies. Game time is 3:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m. Time approximate after game. Alumni Band will perform postgame concert on the field after the game. Both bands march back to Hall of Music. Traditional Alumni Band Drum Major Breakdown in front of the Hall. RETURN ALL UNIVERSITY-OWNED INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC DIRECTLY TO ROOM 30 AS SOON AS YOU ARE FINISHED WITH THE RUN-IN. RETURN ALL MUSIC FOLDERS TO THE MUSIC LIBRARY. After this you are done with yet another grand alumni band weekend and depart with our sincerest thanks for a job well done!

NOTES:
- Starting time for this Homecoming Game will be 3:30 p.m. due to television. The later game time has given us reason to revamp our normal Alumni Band schedule this year. It will be a busy Saturday, so be sure to take some time to get in shape before you return! Participants are REQUIRED to be in attendance for ALL of the Saturday morning activities. IF YOU ARE NOT IN ATTENDANCE FOR THE ENTIRE REHEARSAL ON SATURDAY MORNING, YOU WILL NOT MARCH!

- Take some time to dust off your instrument and practice a bit before you arrive, and stretch out those unused muscles a bit. It will make the experience a lot more enjoyable for all of us. Please remember that in our field marching, we now use the standard step used by the current AAMB – right foot on the yard line with an immediate step-off on count one.

- Please note the uniform of the day and be sure you wear it: Instrumentalists should wear a white polo or dress shirt, black slacks, black socks and shoes, white alumni band cap (available for $10 prior to rehearsal if you do not currently have one). If it is chilly, a jacket or sweater may be worn in the stands. Twirlers may substitute black shorts and white t-shirts for the slacks if you wish. Solo twirlers may wear sequined costumes if that is your desire.

- Have you returned your Registration Form? If not, do it RIGHT NOW! Deadline is September 19! If we do not have your registration form by then, you WILL NOT be assigned a marching spot on the field! PLEASE NOTE: Registration materials and up-to-date information on the reunion band can also be found on the Band website at www.purdue.edu/BANDS. We will post any last-minute changes on the website, so visit there often!

- If you need an instrument, do your best to secure one on your own. We will have a limited number of loaner instruments (percussion, sousaphone, baritone, mellophone) available on a first-come/first-served basis. When they are gone, that’s it! You will receive a confirmation from us letting you know if you have an instrument.

- Have you taken care of your lodging for game weekend? Rooms and seats will go fast, so do not procrastinate! Information on local lodging can be found online at www.purduesports.com, or contact the Lafayette Visitors Bureau at 765-447-9999. We also have thirty rooms on hold at the Holiday Inn City Centre in Lafayette that are available to Band Alums on a first come-first served basis. Simply call 1-800-423-1137 and identify yourself as a Purdue Band Alum.

- Anyone not performing with the Alumni Band MUST have a game ticket to enter the stadium! Game tickets should be ordered DIRECTLY from the Purdue Athletic Department. This can be done online at www.purduesports.com, or by calling 1-800-49-SPORT. Identify yourself as an alumni band member and request seating either in the vicinity of the Alumni Band (south end zone) or best available seating. There are no special discounts available for single ticket seating. Band members must wear the official reunion uniform and enter the stadium with the band block to be admitted to the stadium free of charge

- Remember that when you are in the Purdue Band Block, you represent the entire department to all who see and hear you. Keep the cheering positive and the language angelic! No coaching from the bleachers!!

- Have questions or need additional information? You can reach the Band Office and Pat Newton at (765) 494-0770 (email: panewton@purdue.edu). Dr. Leppla can be reached at that same number or email daleppla@purdue.edu. Professor Kisinger can be reached at (765) 494-3955 (email: wdkisinger@purdue.edu).