Purdue’s ‘All-American’ Marching Band makes summer visit to Medellín, Colombia
August 4, 2015
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University’s “All-American” Marching Band will perform in the Feria de las Flores (Festival of Flowers) from Aug. 5-10 in Medellín, Colombia.
Band members will participate in a variety of performances as well as cultural and school engagement opportunities beyond parading in the festival.
In 1961, Purdue’s “All-American” Marching Band made its first trip to Colombia. At the time, 64 band members attended and made more than 30 appearances in 12 cities. Today, more than 190 band members are in attendance and will perform at a variety of events leading up to the parade on Aug. 9, in the city of Medellín.
Back on Purdue’s campus, more than 375 students participate in the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band. Most recently, the band has had several international travel experiences. Some trips have been to Beijing, China and Dublin, Ireland, where they performed in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
In its 129-year-plus history, the band in 1907 became the first to break military ranks to form an image on the football field; has served as the official band of the Indianapolis 500 Race since 1919; was the first band at a university without a music school to win the Sudler Trophy in 1995; and was the first Big Ten band to march in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Students in the “All-American” Marching Band continue to perform at Purdue because of their love for music. Purdue Bands & Orchestras, which includes the “All-American” Marching Band, has more than 750 students participate per semester. Over 23 different ensembles are offered per year, which include jazz, orchestra, concert band, athletic pep bands, and more.
Contact: Courtney Downey, 765-496-3288, cneash@purdue.edu
