Can’t wait for the hoopla of Purdue football game days? Come see the 2011 Purdue “All-American” Marching Band at its end-of-camp performance at 7:30 p.m. at Hull Drill Field on Third Street across from Shreve Hall. A major announcement about the band’s next international trip will also be made.

Admission is free. Those attending are encouraged to bring folding chairs.

Although thunderstorms are common 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.

This year, approximately 400 musicians, dancers and twirlers, pumped by expectations and nerves, descend on the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band’s annual seven-day camp that begins Sunday, Aug. 14, to create the thunder that officially ushers in fall on campus.

No. 1 on list of things most freshmen dread about band camp are 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 Danny Hope and Volleyball Coach Dave Shondell are among those who make time to personally great the band.

The official membership of the 2011 band will be announced on Friday, Aug. 19. 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.”

See daily pictures of band camp at www.purduebandfan.com

See the entire band camp schedule here.