Traditions of the "All-American" Marching Band
Since the marching band's inception in 1886 and its later transition to a football game staple, the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band has established a myriad of traditions. From oversized instruments, to beautiful baton twirlers, to the role of the drum major, there is an endless list of rich traditions at Purdue University. Below you will find just a sample of these traditions, as a whole new archive could be made for them alone!
The World's Largest Drum
One of the most important and historic
traditions of the “All-American” Marching band is the Purdue Big Bass Drum,
commonly referred to as “The World’s Largest Drum.” Originally crafted in 1921 at
the request of Purdue’s band director at the time, Paul Spotts Emrick, the drum was used as a
centerpiece of the band to make Purdue stand out from the others in the nation. Weighing over
500 pounds with a diameter of seven feet three inches, this drum is certainly a
monster. While the drum is no longer the world’s largest, the name is still synonymous
with this percussion instrument. And surprisingly, the name “The World’s
Largest Drum” wasn’t even given to the instrument until 40 years after its
creation! The name came about in 1961 when Purdue members of Kappa Kappa Psi
challenged their fraternity brothers at the University of Texas to see who
actually had the bigger drum. Texas’s contender was named Big Bertha, and they
extensively claimed that it was larger than Purdue’s Big Bass Drum. The
showdown took place in Wichita, Kansas at the national convention for the
fraternity. Purdue came armed and ready, but unfortunately Texas forgot their
own drum! As such, the Purdue students declared themselves the victors,
announcing that they now had “The World’s Largest Drum.”
Since its creation, the drum has been played at nearly every home game, save for a short period between 1940 and 1954 when Purdue couldn’t get the materials to service the instrument due to the war. Every game day it is played during the pre-game parade, the halftime show, and for every touchdown. Those in charge of the drum, called the Big Bass Drum Crew, even make it spin and “dance” for the show! The crew consists of six members: the driver, the breakman, two beaters, and two pushers. The pushers and beaters, as their names suggest, push the drum and hit the head, respectively. The driver is a much more dynamic part of the crew, calling out all orders and commands for the members to follow, as well as leading the crew from the front. The breakman, as his name might hint, is in charge of starting and stopping the spinning of the drum. These members are just as important as the drum itself, and are held in great regard as part of the “All-American” Marching Band.
Today the World’s Largest Drum still stands strong, thanks to a recent refurbishment in 2013 performed by Michael Sherwood, who is heavily involved in the mechanical engineering program at Purdue. The drum heads were replaced, bolts were re-crafted, reinforcements were added, and much, much more. This was the most significant refurbishment since 1970, and is one of only three refurbishments in the drum’s history. Thanks to the care given to the instrument and the overwhelming adoration by Purdue fans, the World’s Largest Drum is beating louder than ever.
Since its creation, the drum has been played at nearly every home game, save for a short period between 1940 and 1954 when Purdue couldn’t get the materials to service the instrument due to the war. Every game day it is played during the pre-game parade, the halftime show, and for every touchdown. Those in charge of the drum, called the Big Bass Drum Crew, even make it spin and “dance” for the show! The crew consists of six members: the driver, the breakman, two beaters, and two pushers. The pushers and beaters, as their names suggest, push the drum and hit the head, respectively. The driver is a much more dynamic part of the crew, calling out all orders and commands for the members to follow, as well as leading the crew from the front. The breakman, as his name might hint, is in charge of starting and stopping the spinning of the drum. These members are just as important as the drum itself, and are held in great regard as part of the “All-American” Marching Band.
Today the World’s Largest Drum still stands strong, thanks to a recent refurbishment in 2013 performed by Michael Sherwood, who is heavily involved in the mechanical engineering program at Purdue. The drum heads were replaced, bolts were re-crafted, reinforcements were added, and much, much more. This was the most significant refurbishment since 1970, and is one of only three refurbishments in the drum’s history. Thanks to the care given to the instrument and the overwhelming adoration by Purdue fans, the World’s Largest Drum is beating louder than ever.
Selection of Drum Majors
For the large majority of the “All-American” Marching Band’s 128 years of existence, there have been two male drum majors for each football and marching band season. This was not a rule of the band, rather it was the continuation of a tradition: a tradition that goes all the way back to the beginnings of the band. The “All-American” Marching Band was originally founded as the drum corps for the Purdue Student Army Training Corps, and as such was a military-based band. In this style of band all members had to be male, as stipulated by the military codes of the time. Even when the band transitioned to playing at football games they kept some of their old military traditions, one of which included having the band be all-male. As such, the first drum majors of the band were male, and two were selected to ensure that the responsibilities of the position could be equally divided between them. Every season afterward continued this practice.
It wasn’t until the mid-twentieth century that women were allowed to join Purdue’s marching band, and even at that it would be decades before a woman would be appointed to be drum major. Seventy years after the band’s formation, however, the first female was appointed to be drum major. Going through the same application process as the men, Anne Woods was selected to be one of the two drum majors for the 1991-1992 season. She served the position for only this single season, as she was a senior at the time. Since then, only a few other women have been appointed to the position. One of these women, Cherrie Lemon, made “All-American” Marching Band history when she was appointed in 2010. Not only was she in the record books for being only the sixth woman to be drum major, but she was also the first drum major to be African-American. Furthermore, she also broke another tradition of the band: there were three drum majors that year. This made a significant impact on the program. Band director Jay Gephart, when asked about this decision, said that three were selected because the competition was extremely stiff, and he felt like Lemon was a good fit for the job. Since this revolution, only two other seasons have had 3 drum majors. Additionally, the latest change in the drum major tradition occurred in 2012 with the appointment of Min Chan Koo, the first international student to be drum major for Purdue.
While the tradition of having two male drum majors each marching band season has not always been upheld, it is one of the most significant traditions of the band. The drum majors are one of the most important people in the band, as they both lead the band and act as representatives of the band. Due to this, their influence reaches much farther than the band alone could. As it stands, the future of this tradition is uncertain, but it can be said that there has yet to be a time when breaking this tradition has been a bad decision.
It wasn’t until the mid-twentieth century that women were allowed to join Purdue’s marching band, and even at that it would be decades before a woman would be appointed to be drum major. Seventy years after the band’s formation, however, the first female was appointed to be drum major. Going through the same application process as the men, Anne Woods was selected to be one of the two drum majors for the 1991-1992 season. She served the position for only this single season, as she was a senior at the time. Since then, only a few other women have been appointed to the position. One of these women, Cherrie Lemon, made “All-American” Marching Band history when she was appointed in 2010. Not only was she in the record books for being only the sixth woman to be drum major, but she was also the first drum major to be African-American. Furthermore, she also broke another tradition of the band: there were three drum majors that year. This made a significant impact on the program. Band director Jay Gephart, when asked about this decision, said that three were selected because the competition was extremely stiff, and he felt like Lemon was a good fit for the job. Since this revolution, only two other seasons have had 3 drum majors. Additionally, the latest change in the drum major tradition occurred in 2012 with the appointment of Min Chan Koo, the first international student to be drum major for Purdue.
While the tradition of having two male drum majors each marching band season has not always been upheld, it is one of the most significant traditions of the band. The drum majors are one of the most important people in the band, as they both lead the band and act as representatives of the band. Due to this, their influence reaches much farther than the band alone could. As it stands, the future of this tradition is uncertain, but it can be said that there has yet to be a time when breaking this tradition has been a bad decision.
The Golden Girl
Apart from the various musical traditions, there are also other long lasting and esteemed traditions of Purdue’s “All-American" Marching Band.
Known as the “Cradle of Twirler”, Purdue’s marching band has a reputation of featuring the best of the best twirlers in the nation.
The Golden Girl is one the most famous and distinguished tradition of Purdue’s “All American Marching Band”. Purdue’s Golden Girl is not only an extremely talented performer, but is also ranked amongst the nation’s best twirlers. Every spring, an extensive audition process is conducted to fill the coveted position. The Golden Girl is considered to be a leader of the marching band as well as an ambassador for Purdue University. The origin of this tradition goes back to the early history of the Purdue marching band.
The tradition of the Golden Girl was born in 1954, when Dr. Al G. Wright introduced his first twirling protégé to the field. This was during the era of Lenny Dawson, the quarterback who was dubbed the Golden Boy due poise on the field at the time. Foreseeably, Carpenter soon became the counterpart to Dawson and earned the name of the Golden Girl.
This tradition of the marching band is not only a prestigious, but also an honorable one. So valued is this role that once a Texas millionaire offered Director Emeritus Wright a blank check and a promise to outfit his daughter completely in gold, including a gold Cadillac, if she were made Purdue’s Golden Girl. Wright declined the offer.
The title and role of the Golden Girl didn’t cease to exist even after Dawson and Carpenter both graduated. Instead, the “Golden Girl” has evolved into a movable crown that is passed down through generations. Today, the position has become the standard for excellence within the twirling community.
Alexa Philips (pictured right), from Orlando, Florida, is currently the Golden Girl of Purdue “All-American" Marching Band.
Known as the “Cradle of Twirler”, Purdue’s marching band has a reputation of featuring the best of the best twirlers in the nation.
The Golden Girl is one the most famous and distinguished tradition of Purdue’s “All American Marching Band”. Purdue’s Golden Girl is not only an extremely talented performer, but is also ranked amongst the nation’s best twirlers. Every spring, an extensive audition process is conducted to fill the coveted position. The Golden Girl is considered to be a leader of the marching band as well as an ambassador for Purdue University. The origin of this tradition goes back to the early history of the Purdue marching band.
The tradition of the Golden Girl was born in 1954, when Dr. Al G. Wright introduced his first twirling protégé to the field. This was during the era of Lenny Dawson, the quarterback who was dubbed the Golden Boy due poise on the field at the time. Foreseeably, Carpenter soon became the counterpart to Dawson and earned the name of the Golden Girl.
This tradition of the marching band is not only a prestigious, but also an honorable one. So valued is this role that once a Texas millionaire offered Director Emeritus Wright a blank check and a promise to outfit his daughter completely in gold, including a gold Cadillac, if she were made Purdue’s Golden Girl. Wright declined the offer.
The title and role of the Golden Girl didn’t cease to exist even after Dawson and Carpenter both graduated. Instead, the “Golden Girl” has evolved into a movable crown that is passed down through generations. Today, the position has become the standard for excellence within the twirling community.
Alexa Philips (pictured right), from Orlando, Florida, is currently the Golden Girl of Purdue “All-American" Marching Band.
The Girl in Black
In 1962, another solo performer position was created for the International Twirling Champion June Ciampa. Ciampa was originally the Golden Girl in 1961, however a new Golden Girl was 1962 season. This is because the position had been promised to Teddie Darling, who was the sister of the former Golden Girl Addie Darling. Addie has passed away due to brain aneurysm and therefore, in her honor, Teddie would take the first as the Golden Girl while Ciampa dressed in black as the International Twirler.
The title of “The Girl in Black” was established when an announcer asked, “Who is that Girl in Black?” Throughout the years, this position has been filled by a many talented ladies. The position has taken an identity of its own, and just like for the Golden Girl, special auditions are held to fulfill the position of The Girl in Black.
Jordan Foster (pictured left) from Attleboro, Massachusetts, is currently the Girl in Black of Purdue’s “All-American" Marching Band.
The title of “The Girl in Black” was established when an announcer asked, “Who is that Girl in Black?” Throughout the years, this position has been filled by a many talented ladies. The position has taken an identity of its own, and just like for the Golden Girl, special auditions are held to fulfill the position of The Girl in Black.
Jordan Foster (pictured left) from Attleboro, Massachusetts, is currently the Girl in Black of Purdue’s “All-American" Marching Band.
The Silver Twins
Amongst the black and gold in Purdue’s “All-American" Marching Band are The Silver Twins.
In 1960, identical twirling twins Sharon and Karon Roeske attended Purdue. The director, at that time, Al G. Wright said “The chance of finding twins that are twirlers are in a million to one, so I named them ‘Silver Twins’ and put them how the field. And so, began the tradition of the Silver Twins. Since then, many letters have been sent to Wright about twirling twins, and it has become a distinct tradition of the Marching Band.
Traditionally, the position is for a set of identical twins. However, there have been many featured twirlers who were look-alikes. Infact, 12 of the past 21 sets of Silver Twins have actually been identical twins. Despite that, the position of the Silver Twins has always been help by girls who could twirl in synchrony. Another tradition of the Silver Twins is that they are always found together in appearances and even photographs!
In 2013, this position was held by Alyssa Lyzen from Brecksville, Ohio, and Juliana Johnson from Niles, Ohio (pictured right).
In 1960, identical twirling twins Sharon and Karon Roeske attended Purdue. The director, at that time, Al G. Wright said “The chance of finding twins that are twirlers are in a million to one, so I named them ‘Silver Twins’ and put them how the field. And so, began the tradition of the Silver Twins. Since then, many letters have been sent to Wright about twirling twins, and it has become a distinct tradition of the Marching Band.
Traditionally, the position is for a set of identical twins. However, there have been many featured twirlers who were look-alikes. Infact, 12 of the past 21 sets of Silver Twins have actually been identical twins. Despite that, the position of the Silver Twins has always been help by girls who could twirl in synchrony. Another tradition of the Silver Twins is that they are always found together in appearances and even photographs!
In 2013, this position was held by Alyssa Lyzen from Brecksville, Ohio, and Juliana Johnson from Niles, Ohio (pictured right).