Wpopp's Blog

The Purdue All-American Marching Band is a big subculture on campus at Purdue University.

At Practice:

T-shirts and athletic shorts

Instruments

Each instrument has its own area to circle up into to practice

Each group has a leader that critiques the music as they play; this leader seems to be an actual instrumentalist in that group

The Golden Girl, The Girl in Black, and the Silver Twins practice at the same times, as they too are part of the band, even though they do not play instruments.

When practicing on practice “football field,” one conductor is on a platform in front of the whole group

I wonder when they practice the formations…they seem to all know exactly what they are doing already without instruction needed…maybe they practice this during the summer??

Cultural artifacts: instruments, world’s largest drum…

Everyone is very focused, no attention is paid to outsiders. They do not notice the many peple walking by as they practice.

 

Game:

Pre-game parade:

Led by Golden Girl

Usually just play “Hail Purdue”

Actually sing the lyrics; have hand motions that go with it

Cheer along with their music on breaks from playing (cheer against the opposing  team of the day “the huskies are dead”)

March onto field

During Game:

Sit in reserved section behind the end zone, or rather stand

Play lots of music, not just school song

Lead cheers

Organizes the student section

Dance around with their instruments

Halftime show; very organized and put together

Shout! Performances during the 4^th quarter;. Some of the band members run all the way around the football team.

Pay great attention to outsiders during games (contradictory to practice)

Artifacts: instruments, Drum, Marching Band Uniforms

Still under the direction of the conductor

Very energetic