Purdue News
Purdue NewsNOTE TO JOURNALISTS: Several color photos of the All-American Marching Band and the World's Largest Drum are available from Purdue News Service.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Three sure bets for May in Indiana: 33 cars on a two-and-a-half-mile oval, unpredictable weather, and the Purdue University All-American Marching Band high-stepping its way through the Indianapolis 500.
Purdue's Marching Band has been a part of pre-race festivities since 1919 and has been a mainstay in the 500 Festival Parade since its inception in 1957.
The 40th Festival Parade starts at noon Saturday, May 24, with the theme "Here's to the Winners." Purdue's Marching Band, with more than 200 members, leads off the afternoon with an opening drill sequence to a special arrangement of "Strike Up the Band" by George Gershwin.
"This segment is a special, made-for-TV, program," David Leppla, director of university bands, said. "The network wanted a high-impact opening for its coverage, so this two-minute sequence will be the first thing the national audience sees when it tunes in on Saturday."
The parade, which, like the famed track, is two-and-a-half miles long, begins at the intersection of North and Pennsylvania streets in Indianapolis and ends on Sixteenth Street near the track.
This year's Parade of Bands around the oval on race morning gets under way at 8 a.m. Sunday, May 25. It includes high school marching bands from throughout the state and will culminate with a special show on the track by the All-American Marching Band during the opening ceremonies.
These ceremonies will include the band's annual performances of "Back Home Again in Indiana" with Jim Nabors, and "The Star Spangled Banner" with Florence Henderson, immediately before the race begins.
"The 500 is a 77-year tradition for us," Leppla said. "With all the fans and celebrities on hand, you don't have to enjoy auto racing to enjoy being a part of the excitement at the track. Performing at the track is a very meaningful to our alumni, and something our current students look forward to throughout the year."
Purdue's bands department is more than 111 years old. It is in the midst of a $2 million fund-raising campaign that will run through Homecoming 1999 with a goal of $400,000 for band scholarships, $800,000 for new instruments, and $800,000 to support student travel opportunities.
CONTACT: Leppla, (765) 494-0770
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
