Purdue News
Purdue News
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May 5, 2004 West Lafayette, Evansville natives named Purdue drum majorsWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Two juniors will lead the Purdue University "All-American" Marching Band during the 2004-05 season. Jed Wilkinson, a Harrison High School graduate from West Lafayette who grew up in the shadow of Purdue's Ross-Ade Stadium, and Ben Boutwell, of Evansville, Ind., were chosen during a competition on April 30 that included skill demonstrations in conducting, mace twirling and strutting, as well as personal interviews. "I like all the pageantry that goes along with being drum major at Purdue," said Wilkinson, an education major who chose Purdue because of its marching band. "It's one of the most high-profile drum major positions in college bands." Boutwell's passion for band followed him from Evansville Reitz High School where he was drum major for two years with the Marching Tiger Band. "I loved it during high school, and once I saw what drum major was all about at Purdue, I fell in love with the possibility of being a drum major here," says Boutwell, who is majoring in electrical engineering technology. Wilkinson, who plays tuba, and Boutwell, a cymbal player, are interested in including more mace twirling in the band's 2004 shows and will be working this summer to develop some routines. Stepping out of the ranks and into leadership positions brings its challenges, says Wilkinson, who comes from a tuba section known for its fun-loving attitude and field antics during football games. "As a drum major you are looked at to be perfect all the time," he says. "You have to separate when to be goofy and when to be serious. Drum major is 95 percent serious." At Purdue the drum majors conduct the band in the stands at games and select the songs and cheers that will keep the stadium rocking. "It'll be a challenge keeping the crowd in the game, especially because the crowd is so diverse, with the students on one side of us and John Purdue Club people on the other side," Boutwell says. The drum majors will make their first official appearance at the Purdue vs. Syracuse game on Sept. 5 in Ross-Ade Stadium. Fans who want to see the strutting talents of Boutwell and Wilkinson up close can check out the "Drum Major Breakdown," the traditional end to each post-game band show at the Hovde Hall Fountain, which has become a showcase for the talent and energy of Purdue's drum majors over the years. Writer: Kathy Matter, (765) 496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.edu Sources: Ben Boutwell, boutwell@purdue.edu Jed Wilkinson, wilkins0@purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu Related Web site:
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