But it proved to be just the first in a number of head-spinning highs on the 11-day tour that concluded in Europe’s lowest county in a steamy, jam-packed Amsterdam jazz club built on land reclaimed from the sea.

Stuffing chocolates into their travel bags in Switzerland, adding hand-crafted beer steins in Germany, and clogs and cheese in the Netherlands, the 18-member band directed by M.T. "Mo" Trout created musical memories that will last longer than any of their purchased souvenirs.

Winning the big band competition at the Third Annual International Alpine Music Festival in Saas-Fee, and receiving compliments at every stop on their tour, band members felt the highlight of their adventure came in the chance to play in the same venues as the world’s top jazz musicians at the prestigious Montreux International Jazz Festival.

On a rainy afternoon at Montreux, Purdue literally brought out the sun over Lake Geneva as it pulled out all the stops in an outdoor concert. Guest soloist, Chicago saxophonist Mark Colby aided the effort with a surprise improvisation on "Blue Skies."

"Even though it was raining we had a real good crowd, and we just had a really good time. A number of times I had to remind myself I was playing at Montreux. It was a dream come true," says baritone sax player Al Reuther.

"Playing Montreux is huge," adds drummer Roger Hoover, a senior majoring in chemical engineering. "It’s humbling and inspiring at the same time."

Beyond performing, band members seized the numerous opportunities presented by the Montreux Festival to enjoy different styles of jazz. Hoover reveled in the chance to immerse himself in one of his favorites - Latin jazz. "The Cuban Night just blew me away. We danced all night. It was fun," he says.

Sightseeing was sandwiched around performances at the two music festivals in Switzerland, and jazz club gigs in Mannheim, Germany, and Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Special moments came as the group explored a funky museum carved out of an Alpine glacier, wandered the narrow, windy streets of German towns like Heidelberg and St. Goar that oozed with Old World charm, and watched the carving of wooden shoes in the Netherlands.

"There were incredibly breath taking sights," says trumpeter Kelly Keesler. "Over there, you drive two hours and the culture completely changes, along with the language and customs. That was the highlight for me."

For Reuther, who obtained his PhD in electrical and computer engineering this summer, the trip provided the perfect exclamation point to a successful college career. Setting what might be a record, Reuther played in AAMB, Boiler Brass, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band and Jazz Band while obtaining three Purdue degrees over 11 years.