West Lafayette, Evansville natives named Purdue drum majors

Junior Jed Wilkinson, a Harrison High School graduate from West Lafayette who grew up in the shadow of Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium, and junior Ben Boutwell, who comes from Evansville, in the far southern corner of Indiana, will lead the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band as drum majors for the 2004-05 season.

The two were selected during a season-ending competition process held April 30 that included skill demonstrations in conducting, mace twirling and strutting along with personal interviews.

"I like all the pageantry that goes along with being drum major at Purdue. It's one of the most high profile drum major positions in college bands," says Wilkinson, an education major who selected Purdue because of its marching band program.

Boutwell's passion for band followed him from Evansville Reitz High School where he served as drum major for two years with the Marching Tiger Band.

"I loved it during high school, and once I saw what drum major was all about at Purdue, I fell it love with the possibility of being a drum major here," says Boutwell, a junior majoring in electrical engineering technology.

Both Wilkinson, who plays tuba, and Boutwell, a cymbal player, are interested in including more mace twirling in the band's 2004 shows, and will be working this summer to develop some routines.

Stepping out of the ranks and into leadership positions brings its challenges, says Wilkinson, who comes out of a tuba section known for its fun-loving attitude and field antics during football games. "As a drum major you are looked at to be perfect all the time," he says. " You have to separate when to be goofy and when to be serious. Drum major is 95 percent serious."

At Purdue, the drum majors conduct the band in the stands at games, and select the songs and cheers that will keep the stadium rocking. "It'll be a challenge keeping the crowd in the game, especially because the crowd is so diverse with the students on one side of us and John Purdue Club people on the other side," Boutwell says.

The first official appearance for the drum majors will come at the Purdue vs. Syracuse game on Sept. 5 in Ross-Ade Stadium. Fans who want to see the strutting talents of Boutwell and Wilkinson close-up are invited to check out the Drum Major Breakdown, the traditional close to each post-game band show at the Hovde Hall Fountain. Over the years it has become a showcase for talent and energy of Purdue's drum majors.

Joining Boutwell and Wilkinson in student leadership positions in the 2004-05 "All-American" Marching Band are the following individuals. The list also includes those appointed to be heads of various band offices.

Drum Majors

Ben Boutwell, Evansville

Jed Wilkinson, West Lafayette

Golden Girl

Christy Stallings, Johnston City, IL

Girl in Black

Tierney Brown, Bloomington

Silver Twins

Morgan VonDielingen, Seymour

Megan VonDielingen, Seymour

Piccolos

Kristin Bledsoe, Indianapolis - Section Leader

Elizabeth Darrah, Dublin, OH - Assistant

Clarinets

R. J. Nemeth, Loveland, OH - Section Leader

Alicia Stein, Pekin, IL - Assistant

Sarah Gore, Naperville, IL - Rank Leader

Alto saxophones

Evan Farthing, Alliance, OH - Section Leader

Joseph Kender, Glen Carbon, IL - Assistant

Whitney Richmond, Goshen - Rank Leader

Tenor saxophones

Carly Anderson, Rockford, IL - Section Leader

Trumpets

Christopher McManus, Auburn, WA - Section Leader

Jonathan Shearer, Strongsville, OH - Assistant

Anthony Siegfred, Peru, IN - Rank Leader

Ryan Kazmierczak, Battle Ground - Rank Leader

Jillian Parent, Salem, NH - Rank Leader

James Fairbanks, Stratham, NH - Rank Leader

Horns

Jon Rexeisen, Fort Mill, SC - Section Leader

Sarah Exline, Newburgh - Assistant

Trombones

David Sonnenburg, Osceola - Section Head

Daniel Campbell, Mishawaka - Assistant

Matt Query, Vicennes, Rank Leader

Baritones

Chris Prendergast, Sioux Falls, SD - Section Leader

Tubas

Michael Hart, Mahomet, IL - Section Leader

Nick Soboleski, Livonia, MI - Assistant

Percussion

Hannah Phares, Bettendorf, IA - Section Leader/ Snare Drum Segment Leader

Don Wismer, Roanoke - Tenor Segment Leader

Andy Wiseman, Indianapolis - Bass Segment Leader

Emma Doud , Wabash - Cymbal Section Leader

BBD captain

Ben Stengel, Indianapolis

Flag Corps

Amy Duckworth, Indianapolis

Sarah Tyrpak, Brunswick, OH

Goldusters

Megan Mueller, Ottawa, IL

Sarah Tagtmeyer, Fort Wayne

Twirling Line

Brianna Bullerdick, New Market

Student Office Heads for 2004-05

Chief of Staff - Emilie Grzywa

Supply

Emilie Grzywa, Marseilles, IL - Head

Operations

Ben Angelo, Kankakee, IL - Head

Library

Kristen Wilde, Carmel - Head

Records & Recruitment

Jenny Campbell, Mishawaka - Head

Outreach

Caitlin Tiller, Glenview, IL - Head