Author: Esther Mae Kirgiss

Solo Twirlers, Twirling Team Selected for 2026-2027 Season

The Purdue “All-American” Marching Band has selected twirlers for the upcoming school year. Golden Girl Ireland Jones is a rising senior from Carmel, Indiana and is Majoring in Media and Mass Communications. Ireland started twirling with the "All- American" Marching...

“All-American” Marching Band Drum Majors Selected for 2026-2027 Season

The Purdue “All-American” Marching Band is pleased to announce the appointment of Calder Feit and Kenvar Pujoe, Jr. as our 2026-27 Drum Majors. Calder will be serving his second year in the role. Both Calder and Kenvar come from the...

36th Annual Purdue Jazz Festival

Due to the bitter cold and impending winter storm, Purdue Bands & Orchestras has made the difficult decision to cancel the 36th Annual Purdue Jazz Festival. We are disappointed to miss the opportunity to gather with the 100+ middle and...

Matthew R. Conaway appointed director of ‘All-American’ Marching Band

Purdue Bands & Orchestras is thrilled to announce that professor Matthew R. Conaway has been named the sixth director of the iconic “All-American” Marching Band. Conaway’s journey with Purdue Bands & Orchestras began in 2001 as a graduate assistant. He...

Remembering Gladys Stone Wright

It is with heavy hearts that the Purdue Bands & Orchestras family shares news that our dear friend and former first lady of PBO, Gladys Stone Wright, passed away peacefully at the age of 100, on the evening of Wednesday,...

Sandra Yover Haas String Quartet Selected

The Sandra Yover Haas String Quartet embodies a spirit of outreach for all of Purdue Bands & Orchestras. This year’s quartet includes Purdue Philharmonic Orchestra Members: Rohan Eapen | Freshman in Neurobiology & Physiology | ViolinAkirin Au | Sophomore in...

50 Years of Chameleon

This year marks a golden milestone — 50 incredible years of unforgettable performances and lifelong friendships. Chameleon has shaped a legacy of sound, soul, and camaraderie. In honor of this milestone, we invite you to join us on September 13th...

Dr. Pamela J. Nave wins Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion Award

Congratulations to Dr. Pamela J. Nave for being recognized as the 2025 Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion award winner! This award was instated by the class of 1968 in partnership with that year’s class of Mortar Boarders, the Women’s Residence...

2025-2026 Solo Twirlers and Twirling Team Selected

The Purdue “All-American” Marching Band has selected twirlers for the upcoming school year. Golden Girl Ireland Jones is a rising junior from Caramel, Indiana. She is majoring in Communications with a minor in Creative Writing. She started twirling with the...

Matt Conaway appointed Interim Director

Purdue Bands & Orchestras is pleased to announce that Professor Matt Conaway has been appointed Interim Director of the “All-American” Marching Band. A national search will follow in the coming months. Conaway has been an esteemed faculty member of Purdue...