Student-led music club strikes a chord in Indianapolis
When Neilambar “Neil” Risal arrived in Indianapolis nearly two years ago to study mechanical engineering, he didn’t wait long to act on Purdue University trailblazing spirit. “I got to campus and I wanted to play drums again,” he said. “I thought, ‘I need to start this music club.’”
Founded just one month after Purdue expanded into Indianapolis in July 2024 — the Music Club at Purdue Indianapolis set out “to create a space for all Purdue students to continue their musical interests, hobbies and careers.” Now entering year three, the club has grown into a vibrant student-run organization that reflects both the energy of the city and the timeless pull of creative expression.
Risal, a rising junior, came to Purdue with years of musical experience — playing the piano since he was 3 years old and percussion since middle school — and a desire to continue performing while pursuing his studies.
For Risal, the club’s purpose goes beyond just performances.
“I could go on and on about the benefits of music on the brain, mental health and physical health,” he said, “but the best benefit you get is a place to keep doing what you love without the high stress, without the large hours of commitment, with a laid-back but still seriously passionate group of people.”
Risal’s initiative also reflects the broader spirit of the Indianapolis location.
“Indy’s like the startup,” he said. “Knowing how to start something from scratch is a great skill that goes a long way.”
Today, about 50 active members participate in the club’s ensembles, which connect Purdue students in Indianapolis from nearly every major while creating an interdisciplinary community built around shared passion rather than academic focus.
Rehearsals happen frequently — with one of the ensembles meeting nearly every weekday evening during the school year — as students balance demanding academic schedules with creative collaboration. Current ensembles range from jazz and rock to Japanese rock and Indian classical, with student interest at the spring callout meeting resulting in fall plans to expand to as many as seven groups, including Latin, strings, and additional jazz and rock ensembles.
Growth has been supported by key funding sources. A $5,000 award from the Trailblazer Fund in fall 2025 allowed the club to replace worn audio equipment and improve sound quality. New funding for the 2026-27 academic year from the Student Fee Advisory Board will help expand access to instruments for students who do not have their own.
“Neil and his team have really filled a need and created an organization that’s exceeded our expectations,” said William “Bill” Oakes, associate dean for undergraduate education in the College of Engineering. Oakes learned of Risal’s passion for music when teaching him in a fall 2024 engineering class and has been the faculty advisor for the group from its inception. “The club is giving them an opportunity to gain some real-life skills because they built something inspiring, and more broadly, it’s very important that we build a culture here with that kind of artistic beauty of the music,” he said.
As the club continues to expand, its trajectory mirrors Purdue in Indianapolis itself: student-driven, collaborative and still being built — note by note. Along with Purdue’s other 70-plus student organizations in Indianapolis, Music Club at Purdue Indianapolis plays a vital role in helping students develop a sense of belonging on campus. For more information about the club, where students who play any instrument or sing are welcome to sign up, visit its page on BoilerLink.