Purdue News
Purdue News
|
|
May 19, 2000 Marching Band makes 81st appearance at Indy 500WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Moving into the eighth decade of a very special relationship between racing machines and marching bands, the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band makes its annual appearance at the Indianapolis 500 Parade on Saturday, May 27, and in opening ceremonies at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 28. Rising young country star Jessica Andrews will sing the Star Spangled Banner accompanied by the band during Sunday’s ceremonies, adding her name to an all-star list of performers who have worked with the band. The list also includes Jay Leno, Florence Henderson, Cee Cee Wyans and Jim Nabors. Nostalgia filters into many of the selections the band will perform during the weekend. "Back Home Again in Indiana" and "Hail Purdue" top the parade selections on Saturday. The televised parade winds through downtown Indianapolis and includes elaborate floats with race themes. Prior to the running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band is prominently featured in opening ceremonies. Traditionally, director David Leppla picks tunes with ties to Indiana to perform at the track along with favorite numbers performed during the previous year’s football season. This year, Leppla's musical line-up runs the gamut from "Mr. Roboto" and "Whose Bed Have Your Boots Been Under" to "Wabash Cannonball." Fifteen high school bands from around the Midwest will participate in the day’s festivities. The Greater Lafayette area is represented by the Tri-County High School Band from Wolcott, while others come from around Indiana and as far away as Sycamore, Ill.; McKees Rocks, Penn.; and Hartland, Wis. Hartland is the home town of Purdue Golden Girl Ann Loppnow, who will be making her final appearance with the "All-American" Band at the event. CONTACT: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands publicist, (765) 496-6785; kcmatter@purdue.edu
|
