Band camp: Fun and fear bundled into 7 intense days

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

In August the waves of sound rumbling through Purdue’s campus aren’t thunder but the sound of drums, tubas, horns and trumpets as marching band practice shatters summer’s calm.

More than 450 musicians, dancers and twirlers, pumped by expectations and nerves, descend on the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band’s annual seven-day camp on Sunday, Aug. 17, to create the thunder that officially ushers in fall on campus.

 

Senior Marilyn Szeszycki of Chicago, IL, who’s risen through the ranks to become assistant trumpet section leader, easily remembers her first day at camp.

 

“Being one person in a mass of hundreds and not knowing anyone here was scary but by the end of the week I felt at home at Purdue,” she recalls. As a student leader, the hardest part of band camp comes when they have to inform students that they are being cut from the band.”

 

“I don’t like it but we have to do it,” Szeszycki says.

 

No. 1 on list of things most freshmen dread about band camp are the playing and marching auditions that determine whether they’ll make the band.  Upperclassmen can dread them too because every student has to audition for their spot in the 340-member band each fall.

 

Long days are filled with marching fundamental rehearsals and music rehearsals and spontaneous social events at day’s end. Visits from campus celebrities are also on the schedule. President France Córdova, Football Coach Joe Tiller and Volleyball Coach Dave Shondell are among those who make time to personally great the band.

 

The official membership of the 2008 band is announced on Friday, Aug. 22, and newly-selected band members spend the remaining two days learning the basics of the stadium pre-game show including such traditions as the “Block P.”

 

The public’s first opportunity to see the 2008 “All-American” Marching Band comes on 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Band’s drill field on Third Street across from Shreve Hall. Admission is free to the hour long display of music and marching.

 

To see pictures of the 2008 "All-American" Marching Band during band camp and throughout the rest of the season, please visit: purduebandfan.com.

 

2008 “ALL-AMERICAN” MARCHING BAND WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
Sunday, August 17
12 noon	Percussionists and Goldusters check-in, Band Lounge
5   p.m.	All other NEW candidates check in, Band Lounge.
6:30 p.m.	Introductory meeting, Room 15, followed by music auditions.
Monday, August 18
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.	Marching Fundamentals Rehearsal, Drill Field (Percussionists at Alcatraz )
1:00 - 2:30 pm	Playing rehearsal, Room 15
3 - 4:30 p.m.	Marching  fundamentals rehearsal, Drill Field (Percussionists at Alcatraz )
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.	Rehearsal with instruments, Drill Field
Tuesday, August 19
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.	Upperclassmen registration and check-in
8:30 - 11:30am	Sectional Rehearsals
1 - 3:15 p.m.	Marching Rehearsal, Drill Field
1 - 2:30 p.m.	Playing auditions for upperclassmen
3 p.m.	New members “Getting to know you” activity at Drill Field
3:15 p.m.	Upperclassmen march to Drill Field from Elliott Hall
3:30 - 4:30 p.m., 6:30 - 8:30	Full Band, drill work at Drill Field
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.	Full band rehearsal at the Drill Field (meet at the field).
8 - 9 p.m.	Playing rehearsal, Room 15.
Wednesday, August 20
9 - 10:15 a.m.	Marching fundamentals rehearsal, Drill Field
10:30 - 11:30 a.m.	Music rehearsal at the drill field with percussion.
1 - 2:30 p.m.	Sectional rehearsals
3 - 4:30 p.m.	Full band meeting, Room 15.
6 - 7 p.m.	Marching rehearsal, Drill Field.
7:30 - 9:00 p.m.	Meet Coach Joe Tiller; historical presentation by  Roy Johnson, Fowler Hall
Thursday, August 21
8:45 - 11:30 a.m.	Marching fundamentals rehearsal. Drill Field
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.	Sectional rehearsals
3:00 - 4:30 p.m.	Full Band music rehearsal, Room 15
6 - 7:30 p.m.	Full band marching rehearsal, Drill Field
8 - 9 p.m.	Full Band music rehearsal, Room 15.
Friday, August 22
8:30 - 10 a.m.	Full Band meeting with Pres. France Córdova, Room 15 Announcement of 2008 membership
2 - 4:30 p.m.	Marching rehearsal, Drill Field.
Saturday, August 23
8:30 - 11:30 a.m.	First march to Drill Field for 2008 Band, leave from Elliott. Learn pre-game show.
1 - 2 p.m.	Sectional rehearsals
2:15 - 4:00 p.m.	Full Band rehearsal, Drill Field.
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.	End of Camp public performance at drill field. Parents, friends and public invited. Play lots of music, march, do some pre-game.
8:30 - 11:00 p.m.	Welcome Back Bash at Drill Field

      

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