November 2, 2007

Purdue band fundraising efforts surpass halfway point

Block P formation
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Donations totaling $53,400 have been collected so far to help finance the band's trip to Beijing to perform in the Meet in Beijing International Arts and Music Festival in late May. The event is a leadup to the 2008 Olympics there.

The China Performing Arts Agency, a division of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, extended the invitation to the "All-American" Marching Band. This is the first time an American college band has been invited to perform.

Approximately 230 members of the 343-member marching band - including the solo twirlers and several members of the twirling line - are planning to go on the trip, which is expected to cost around $635,000. The goal is to raise $100,000 of that amount during the fund drive, with the participating band members expected to make up the difference.

"Excitement among the band members is really beginning to spread," said Jay Gephart, director of bands. "In the past, we've performed on cruises and in places such as Canada, South America, Europe and Japan, but this is our first invitation to China. A chance to perform in the festival is a huge honor."

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

Sources: Jay S. Gephart, (765) 494-0770, jsgephart@purdue.edu

Reid Ricciardi, director of development for student services, (765) 496-2406, rricciardi@purdue.edu

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

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

CUTLINE:

Five hundred Purdue "All-American" Marching Band alumni returned for Homecoming on Saturday (Oct. 27) to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Block P formation and to help create the world's largest Block P on the Ross-Ade gridiron at halftime of the Northwestern game. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)

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