Cultural Events and Varied Entertainment
- Purdue Convocations
- Convocation Voice Network (CVN)
- Student Concert Committee
- Instrumental Music
- Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO)
- Theatre
Purdue Convocations
Purdue Convocations presents live performances by professional, world-renowned artists. Performances are presented on campus and at venues in the Lafayette–West Lafayette community.
The 2008-–09 season includes six series — Lively Arts, World Stage, Classics, Jazz Set, Catalyst, and Family Adventures series — as well as several special events. There are also numerous opportunities for patrons to experience in depth a number of shows through the Experience+ education program. Experience+ events include pre-show lectures, films, panel discussions, and classes tied to several performances. Nearly all of the Experience+ events are free of charge.
Tickets may be purchased to a series or to single events. Tickets purchased in a series or as part of a Pick 5 package are sold at a discount from the single ticket price. The Box Office can be reached at 49-43933, and Purdue Convocations can be reached at 49-49712.
In addition to performances scheduled as part of the regular season, special events may be added throughout the season. Visit the Purdue Convocations Web site at www.purdue.edu/convocations for information about the season and new show announcements.
Convocation Voice Network (CVN)
CVN is the student volunteer arm of Purdue Convocations. CVN offers students the opportunity to experience and support the performing arts through promotional support and front-of-house services such as ushering and product sales. Convocation Voice Network can be reached by calling 49-49712.
Student Concert Committee
This committee of devoted students is the official student organization for booking and promoting student-oriented entertainment such as rock and comedy concerts. Recent bookings include: Jim Gaffigan, The Fray, Wilco, John Mellencamp, John Mayer, B.B. King, Dave Chappelle, Ben Folds, 311, No Doubt, and Dave Matthews.
Instrumental Music
Purdue University Bands offers a full spectrum of performing groups. Its headline ensembles include the “All-American” Marching Band, Purdue Symphony Orchestra, Purdue Symphonic Band, Purdue Jazz Band, and American Music Repertory Ensemble (big band with singers). It also boasts an additional jazz band and four seasonal concert bands as well as the University’s volleyball and basketball bands. Except for the athletic bands, all ensembles are structured as performance classes with credit, and are open by audition to all Purdue students. Each year, approximately 650 students participate in instrumental ensembles. In addition, the department offers individual lessons on string, wind, and percussion instruments. A summer concert band opens its roster to Purdue faculty and staff along with community musicians, and a summer jazz band is offered to students. During the fall and spring semesters, Purdue’s performing ensembles offer a regular series of concerts at campus and community locations, most of which are free. Ensembles frequently perform at University events, usually with compensation involved. The Purdue Jazz Festival in mid-January brings more than 2,000 high school students and several major jazz artists to campus.
For more information on opportunities for participation, and concerts, call 49-66785. Visit the bands Web site at www.purdue.edu/bands.
Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO)
For more than seventy years, Purdue Musical Organizations (PMO) has proudly served the Purdue University family as ambassadors of goodwill on campus, across the country, and around the world.
Membership for men and women in the Purdue Varsity Glee Club and Purduettes is by audition throughout the school year and summer. Auditions can be arranged by calling PMO at 49-43941. Additional ensembles hold auditions in the fall and include Purdue Bells, PMO Kids Choir, Heart & Soul, PMO Specialties, and the All Campus & Community Chorale — open to all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the community.
The nationally acclaimed Purdue Christmas Show is presented annually to a live crowd of thousands in the Elliott Hall of Music and reaches millions more through international broadcasts on public television and radio networks. The 75th Anniversary Purdue Christmas Show will be presented in seven performances December 12–14, 2008. A matinee for school-aged children will be performed at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, December 12. For ticket information, contact PMO at 49-43941 or (800) 893-3041.
Variety is a PMO trademark and since its founding in 1933, PMO strives to provide the highest quality musical entertainment for audiences. However, PMO’s most important goal is to provide a program for students to learn, perform, and grow together. To learn more about Purdue Musical Organizations and the many opportunities for students, please call 49-43941 or visit www.pmojo.com.
Theatre
Purdue Theatre serves both the students in the professional training programs and the campus community as a whole. The training programs offer B.A. and M.F.A. degrees. The students in the M.F.A. program are selected from auditions and portfolio reviews conducted nationally. M.F.A. degrees are offered with specialties in acting and all areas of design, technology, and theatre engineering.
As part of the training program, the division presents four Marquee Series and two Horizon Series productions, as well as undergraduate workshop productions each academic year. The productions are acted and staffed by a combination of graduate and undergraduate students, the professional faculty, and guest artists from the professional theatre.
For information about the productions, contact the theatre publicist at 49-43084 or the Loeb Box Office at 49-43933. For information on the training programs, call the Division of Theatre at 49-43074 or visit the Web site at www.purdue.edu/theatre.