April 15, 2008

Purdue 'All-American' Marching Band tunes up for China trip

Standing more than 10 feet high when mounted on its field carriage, the Big Bass Drum definitely won't fit in an overhead storage bin, so Purdue Bands officials are trying to make alternate arrangements.

"We would really like to get the drum there, but the logistics of shipping it and storing it during the visit make the situation complicated," said Jay Gephart, director of bands. "This is a very special invitation for Purdue and the 'All-American' Marching Band, and it'd be a shame if one of the most well-known symbols of the band was forced to stay home in West Lafayette."

Even with the Big Bass Drum's appearance in question, band members and staff are getting excited for the trip, which will be May 26 to June 2.

The China Performing Arts Agency, a division of the Ministry of Culture of the People's Republic of China, invited the band to perform in the Meet in Beijing International Arts and Music Festival, a lead-in to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. This is the first time an American college band has been invited to perform.

As part of the festival, the band's trip consists of three performances, including one at the Great Wall of China, another for a Chinese military band audience and a marching exhibition at a Beijing-area secondary school.

The performances will feature tunes from the band's football pre-game show, Big Ten-style marching, part of the classical music repertoire from last year, and a variety of songs from rock music to John Phillip Sousa.

"Marching bands as we know them don't really exist in China, so this trip will allow the band students to serve as goodwill ambassadors from Purdue to the citizens of China," Gephart said. "It will also be interesting to see the reaction to the Golden Girl, twirlers, Goldusters and Golden Silks."

While in China, the band members will also have the chance to see Chinese landmarks and experience the culture. Gephart said the members plan to visit the Great Wall, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace in Beijing.

So far, a fundraising drive to help pay for the trip's expenses has garnered approximately $80,000 in donations, $20,000 short of the fund drive's goal. Approximately 275 members of the 350-member band, the Golden Girl, and some members of the twirling line, Goldusters and Golden Silks are planning to go on the trip, which is expected to cost around $802,000. Participating band members will be expected to make up the difference for the trip.

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

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

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

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

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