Athletic Bands

Purdue pep bands are always on hand to keep Boilermaker spirits at fever pitch at all women’s and men’s home basketball games as well as women’s volleyball.

In the fall, an energetic Boiler Box Band brings their unique enthusiasm to all home women's volleyball matches.  Beginning in late fall, and extending into early spring, two basketball bands are in high gear on campus. Boiler Brass is affiliated with the men’s basketball program and Gold and Black Sound (GABS) with women’s basketball.

 Both are select ensembles consisting of woodwinds, brass and a rhythm section (guitar, bass and drum set. Membership in both is by audition. To qualify, students participate in another band department ensemble. Regular required rehearsals are held on weekday evenings for each group. Gold and Black Sound is under the direction of Dr. Pamela Nave.  Boiler Brass is under the direction of Prof. Max Jones.

None of the pep bands travel during the regular season, but are on hand to back their respective teams in season-ending Big Ten Tournament play and also follow the Boilermakers to NCAA Tournament games. Those games have taken Purdue musicians all over the United States. In 1999 Gold and Black Sound followed the Purdue women’s basketball team all the way to the NCAA National Championship in San Jose, CA. 

 While participants in any of the athletic bands do not earn academic credit, they have ringside seats for some of the finest basketball and volleyball action in the county. And they play a vital role in creating an atmosphere in both Mackey Arena, and the Indoor Athletic Facility (volleyball) that annually makes them two of the most difficult venues in the country for visiting teams to handle.

Interested in joining the Purdue Athletic Bands?

Click here for audition information