September 11, 2007

High school bands to bring color, pageantry to Purdue Band Day

Twenty-three bands from as close as West Lafayette High School, which is two blocks from Ross Ade Stadium, to as far as Crown Point, Berne and Rushville will fill the field with color and pageantry for Purdue's second home football game. Purdue will face Central Michigan at noon.

"All-American" Marching Band assistant director Max Jones, who was a high school band director before coming to Purdue, said Band Day has a large impact on young musicians.

"The thrill of being around a college band is very exciting for high school kids," he said. "Then you factor in performing alongside thousands of other musicians in the center of a packed 69,000-seat Big Ten stadium.

"Many of the bands attending don't participate in competitions, so they look forward to the camaraderie that comes with Band Day. You get to see other bands, meet other kids and be a part of something bigger than yourself. That's what band is all about."

William Fread, a retired music educator from Hartford City who was the first executive director of the Indiana State School Music Association, will serve as the guest conductor for the massed band show at halftime. It will feature nearly 1,500 performers.

The halftime show will open with Purdue's "All-American" Marching Band performing Kool and the Gang's "Celebration" and "The Hand That Feeds" by Nine Inch Nails while the high school bands assemble on the sidelines. They will then take the field, with musicians stretching from end zone to end zone for the massed show.

The bands will perform a rendition of John Williams' "Raider's March," which was featured in the 1981 movie "Raiders of the Lost Ark." Following "Secret Agent Man," the show will close with "God Bless the U.S.A." as a tribute to those serving around the world in the U.S. armed services.

Following the football game, the Purdue "All-American" Band will join ensembles from Purdue Musical Organizations for a brief concert outside Hovde Hall commemorating 9/11.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Source: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director, (765) 496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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