For the second time in two years a first for the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band emerged during drum major auditions. The band’s first international drum major – MinChan Koo from Seoul, Korea – was one of three students named as drum major in auditions in late April.

Cherrie Lemon, the first African American drum major from St. Louis, MO, will return for a second year for the 2011-12 season. The two will be joined by Mitch Osterday from New Paris, IN. The trio will make their first appearance at the Kent State game on Sept. 3 in Ross-Ade Stadium.

Koo, a math major has lived equally in the United States and Korea. His parents currently live in Seoul but during his high school years they lived in Pennsylvania where he got interested in marching band, playing clarinet for four years in the band at Kennedy Catholic High School in Hermitage outside Pittsburg, PA.

Being placed on a list of band firsts was something “I really didn’t want to think about,” says Koo. “It’s a big responsibility. You have to be a good role model. Being first means a lot to me, but it does have its good and bad sides.”

He will use the summer to work with high school bands and polish his leadership skills. The opportunity to lead the band in the stands, as drum major, lured him to try out for the position. “I’m really interested in conducting the band and controlling the spirit in Ross-Ade. What the band does is really crucial for the football team,” Koo says.

Other leadership positions for the 2011 band include:

• Golden Girl – MerrieBeth Cox, Roselle, IL
• Girl in Black – Meg Merdian, Troy, MI
• Silver Twins – Sara and Chelle Zou, Elkhart, IN
• Miss Boilerette - Rachael Bazzell, New Carlisle, IN

Piccolo

• Hannah Jones, Mooresville, IN, Section Leader
• Stephanie Czarnecki, Elkhart, IN, Rank Leader

Clarinet

• Christina Zarse, Indianapolis, IN, Section Leader
• Laurel Donaldson, Geneseo, IL, Rank Leader
• Nicole Bianco, Valparaiso, IN, Rank Leader
• Kyle Zak, Troy, MI, Rank Leader

Alto Sax

• Ethan Gastineau, Brownsburg, IN, Section Leader
• Claire Dalder, West Lafayette, IN, Rank Leader
• Josh Marchi, Sheboygan, WI, Rank Leader

Tenor Sax

• Zach Perlmutter, Glencoe, IL, Section Leader

Trumpet

• Doug Booth, Plymouth, IN, Section Leader
• Dale Crakes, Bristol, WI, Asst. Section Leader
• Sam Yates, Paducah, KY, Rank Leader
• Mike Lorenz, Loveland, OH, Rank Leader
• Sean Sullivan, West Chester, OH, Rank Leader
• Ian Mixer, Longmont, CO, Rank Leader
• Carolyn Shaffer, Valparaiso, IN, Rank Leader
• Chris Bierhaus, Westport, IN, Rank Leader

Horn

• Lauren Hart, Mooresville, IN, Section Leader
• Mark Hamilton, Horsham, PA, Rank Leader

Trombone

• Elizabeth Kline, Section Leader
• Zach Collignon, Santa Claus, IN, Rank Leader
• Vince Nierste, Zionsville, IN, Rank Leader
• Kristen Blankenbaker, Anderson, IN, Rank Leader

Baritone

• Mike McCormick, Washington, PA, Section Leader

Tuba

• Matt Gusler, Pickerington, OH, Section Leader
• Matt Miller, Elkhart, IN, Rank Leader
• Angela Biesada, South Holland, IL, Rank Leader

Percussion

• Patrick Byrne, Austin, TX, Snare Segment Leader
• Brian Leathers, Granger, IN, Tenors Segment Leader
• Tara Yeager, Granger, MI, Bass Drum Segment Leader
• Ryan O’Dell, Granger, IN, Cymbals Segment Leader

Big Ten Flags

• Rachel Ambs, Aurora, IN, Section Leader

Golduster Dance Team

• TBA

Golden Silks Color Guard

• Amanda King, Columbia City, IN
• Kayla Taylor, Carmel, IN
• Daniel Durio, The Woodlands, TX

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