How to Get Involved if You’re Not in the Marching Band…
By Catie Gilhooly
Are you a musician at Purdue who, for whatever reason, is not in the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band? I’m right there with you!
I came to Purdue excited to be a part of Purdue Bands & Orchestras, but I always knew that I wanted to do more than just play my instrument twice a week. Being in an orchestra ensemble my first semester, I felt out of the loop when it came to finding information to stay involved. So, I gathered five ways you can be involved in PBO if you can’t be/aren’t in the AAMB!
1. Volunteer. There are so many places where the department could use volunteers. One of the biggest is Jazz Fest, which is held in January every year. Jazz Fest is an all-hands-on-deck event where hundreds of middle school and high school ensembles from around the Midwest come to perform for judges at Purdue. While the day is an eventful one, it is definitely a fun one, too. Plus, you get to hear some great guest artist jazz musicians doing what they love!
2. Join a pep band. If you love watching sports, this is a win-win for you! When it comes to pep bands, Purdue has three ensembles: Boiler Box Band (women’s volleyball), Gold and Black Sound (women’s basketball), and Boiler Brass (men’s basketball). These ensembles are open to all regular pep band instruments, and each offers a unique experience. Note that GABS and Boiler Brass are both decided based on audition, but Box Band is open to anyone who is willing to come play and is enrolled in an ensemble. Learning how to play a pep band instrument? This could be a great way to get some practice!
3. Become an Ambassador. As an Ambassador, you are on the front lines of recruitment for the department. You attend prospective student events like the Fall Preview Days or Purdue’s For Me in the spring, greeting future freshmen and answering their questions. As a non-marching member of the department, you will be able to offer a valuable perspective to other students who only want to be involved in a concert band or orchestra.
4. Become a brother or a sister. At Purdue, we have both a band service fraternity (Kappa Kappa Psi) and sorority (Tau Beta Sigma). Being a member of these organizations means you are committed to the betterment of the department through different projects and service opportunities. In addition, you gain an awesome group of brothers and sisters! Both are co-ed, and full of some of the most passionate musicians you’ll ever meet. Look out for fun recruitment events and more information from both organizations in the fall!
5. Ask questions! This is one of those things that seems obvious, but is super helpful. It was definitely a step out of my comfort zone, but the second I did it, the more people I met and the more I was eventually able to learn and do in the department.
I hope that these resources are helpful for anyone and everyone looking to be more involved in Purdue Bands & Orchestras. No matter what you play or how much time you’re able to put in, there is truly a place for anyone who wants to help and have a more meaningful experience here. Boiler Up!
