Purdue News

October 8, 1999 Marching Band alumni will take the field WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – More than 375 former Purdue University "All-American" Marching Band musicians and auxiliary members will dust off their band hats and limber up their twirling arms to participate in the halftime show at the Saturday, Oct. 16, homecoming football game. As one of the most popular traditions associated with Purdue Bands, Alumni Band pulls former band members from as far west as Hawaii and as far south as Florida back to campus for the opportunity to perform one more time in Ross-Ade Stadium. J. Harper Albritton, who graduated from Purdue 63 years ago in 1936, exemplifies the spirit of those returning to campus this fall. "I will march with the band if I can find a way to hang my cane on my trumpet. I will play with the band if I can hold my teeth in while I play," Albritton wrote from his home in Clearwater, Fla. Bill Kisinger, associate director of the marching band, has designed a special drill for the alums, who will perform to the Blues Brothers tune "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" and the Boilermaker favorite "Hail Purdue." The Alumni Band also will perform at the pre-game homecoming concert at 12:30 p.m. at Slayter Center of Performing Arts. Following the 2:30 p.m. football game against Michigan State University, the Alumni Band will participate in the traditional "Drum Major Breakdown' and "Run Out Exit" at the post-game concert at the fountain in front of Hovde Hall. CONTACTS: Kisinger, (765) 494-3955, bdkisinger@bands.purdue.edu; or Katy Matter, Purdue Bands publicist, (765) 496-6785, kcmatter@bands.purdue.edu   To the Purdue News and Photos Page