Purdue Band breaks with tradition, selects three drum majors
From left, Aurie Swartz of Charlestown, Ind., Cherrie Lemon of St. Louis and Rich Marzullo of Stamford, Conn., were selected as drum majors for the 2010-11 season of Purdue's "All-American" Marching Band. The band, which is closing in on its 125th year, has traditionally been led by two drum majors. (Purdue University Bands photo)
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Breaking with tradition as it closes in on its 125th anniversary, the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band will have three drum majors for its 2010-11 season.
Returning drum major, Rich Marzullo, a junior from Stamford, Conn., heads the trio selected last Friday (April 30) in tryouts at the band's drill field. The two newly selected drum majors are Aurie Swartz, a sophomore from Charlestown, Ind., and Cherrie Lemon, a sophomore from St. Louis.
During its long history, the band has traditionally been led by two drum majors. Director Jay Gephart cited exceptionally stiff competition as the reason for the expansion.
Lemon is just the sixth woman to hold the post in nearly 125 years of the band's history. Until 1973, men made up the entire band because of the program's ties to the Reserve Officer Training Corps. Before that date, women only performed with the band as majorettes. The first woman to be selected drum major was Fort Wayne native Anne Woods in 1991-92, followed by Danville native Cathy Tuttle in 1993-94.
Stephanie Swierczek, from Aurora, Ill., helped lead the band for two years, 2001-02 and 2002-03; Danielle Donovan, of Dwight, Ill., was a drum major in 2003-04; and Melissa Linker helped lead in 2005-06.
Marzullo, Lemon and Swartz will lead the band when it participates in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November and will help the band department kick off the celebration of its 125th year of music on campus in 2011.
Contact: Kathy Matter, 765-496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.ed