{"id":843,"date":"2019-12-10T15:04:10","date_gmt":"2019-12-10T15:04:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/?p=843"},"modified":"2020-01-27T18:25:30","modified_gmt":"2020-01-27T18:25:30","slug":"the-all-american-band-becomes-open-to-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/2019\/12\/10\/the-all-american-band-becomes-open-to-all\/","title":{"rendered":"The \u201cAll American\u201d Band Becomes Open to All"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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by Jackie Krutsch<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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     \u201cEvery time something good happens to the university, people look to the band to play \u2018Hail Purdue.\u2019\u201d [1] Purdue\u2019s band embodies years of tradition, history, and pride for the school. The band started in 1886 with a handful of cadets and has now grown into a band department that encompasses an organization of more than 800 students. [2] These statements shed light on the magnitude of Purdue\u2019s bands, especially the \u201cAll American\u201d Marching Band. For a band that has existed for almost 135 years at a university with no school of music, the talent and success of Purdue\u2019s marching band and additional concert bands has grown with each year. Despite this history and esteem, the band has only been open to women joining within the past 65 years, and has only let women play instruments and march during football season within the past 50 years. Once women <\/span>were<\/span><\/i> allowed to participate in the \u201cAll American\u201d Marching Band, they still faced specific restrictions and demands required of them based on their gender. <\/span><\/p>\n

     The \u201cAll American\u201d Marching Band got its name from a TV broadcaster who stated that Purdue\u2019s marching band was truly an \u201cAll American\u201d band, equipped with their lighted instruments and uniforms that they used during the first halftime show. [3] The Marching Band has a rich history, involving many distinguished alumni and multiple \u201cfirsts\u201d that were set over time. Neil Armstrong, the first man on the moon, played baritone at Purdue, Orville Redenbacher, who founded Orville Redenbacher popcorn, played tuba during his time in the band, and Russell Games Slayter, who invented fiberglass, also played tuba. [4] Purdue\u2019s \u201cAll American\u201d Marching Band was the \u201cfirst band to break military ranks to create a formation of any kind\u201d with the iconic Block \u2018P,\u2019 it was the \u201cfirst band to create an oversized bass drum,\u201d and it was the \u201cFirst Big Ten band to march in the Macy\u2019s Thanksgiving Day Parade,\u201d along with many other firsts. [5] As the prestige of the band rose, so did the number of musicians. Throughout history, during the football season, everyone involved in Purdue Bands plays in the \u201cAll American\u201d Marching Band, and during the off-season in the winter and spring, there are other bands that students can get involved in  in order to keep their skills sharp. In 1958, \u201cwith increased enrollment and interest in the Bands, this year\u2019s band program was expanded into one of the largest in the country. This program was divided among four units, Symphonic, Varsity, Regimental, and Variety. Of course for football season we were all together in the traditional Marching Band, which, this year, was bigger and better than ever.\u201d [6] These additional units, the symphonic, varsity, regimental, and variety bands, have shifted over the band\u2019s history and Purdue Bands and Orchestras currently consists of the athletic bands and auxiliaries, concert bands, jazz bands, orchestras, chamber music, and other ensembles. [7] <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The All American Marching Band Marches in 1921<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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     Early on in the Band\u2019s history, the students involved were all men except for the \u201cFair Lady\u201d group of majorettes, who accompanied the all-male band groups, but information regarding the extent of their performances is  limited. According to a Bands informational booklet from the 1959-1960 school year, all men and women were encouraged to join the bands by registering for band as they would register for classes, but only male members were allowed to perform as part of the \u201cAll American\u201d Marching Band. [8] Then, \u201cduring the football season, women in the band rehearse with the Indoor Unit.\u201d [9] Due to this, the exact year that all women were permitted to play in the marching band is unclear since they were allowed to join different parts of the band at different times. In 1954, the first twirling position was created and subsequent positions were formed in the following years, so women played a large role in the auxiliary groups. As of 1967, of the 320 band members, 293 of them were men and the 27 who were women were twirlers. [10] Women also made up half of the flagmen, but flagmen usually consisted of \u201cbass clarinetists, horns, oboes and other instruments not utilized in the block marching band plus women who desire marching experience.\u201d [11] The inclusion of women as flag carriers was not equal to the inclusion of men as flag carriers since men could choose to march in the band or march as flagmen, but women did not have this option of marching in the band. Women\u2019s only opportunities to be a part of the \u201cAll American\u201d marching band for many years was as a twirler, majorette, flagsmen, or indoor band performer. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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AAMB Uniform Guidelines 2000-2001<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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     Purdue\u2019s Bands have always had meticulous guidelines in regards to uniform and appearance, and band members receive handbooks each school year that explicitly state these guidelines. The section for auxiliary members in the 2000-2001 handbook stated that \u201cstudents interested in membership should arrive on campus in good shape and good physical health. You will find it impossible to keep up with your fellow members and to fit the uniform if you do not. Information is provided to all girls during the semester concerning good physical conditioning and proper eating and sleeping habits.\u201d [12] Although these instructions at first appear reasonable in proposing that members be in good physical shape, there were instructions like these written only for the auxiliary groups, which consisted of all women. Nowhere in the rest of the band booklet were there specific directions on how to continue to fit into one\u2019s uniform and have proper eating habits. In addition to these lifestyle tips, the handbooks also include requirements on how to maintain one\u2019s uniform so that each band member looks professional and there is a consistent look to the whole band. There are rules regarding men\u2019s facial hair, including that mustaches must be well trimmed and beards are not allowed. [13] Rules regarding jewelry are also included, noting that jewelry may not be worn, other than wedding\/engagement rings and watches, and this goes for both sexes. [14] Restrictions on makeup and nail polish worn are also present for band members, but the make-up type and application, hair style, and hose worm all had to be the correct, precise form as described in the band handbooks. [15] The number of written rules about appearance were more extensive for women than for men as shown by these guidelines. Between the restraints on and requirements for physical appearance, uniform appearance, and overall aesthetic for band and auxiliary members, it is apparent that more of these restraints and requirements were targeted at women participating in the groups. So, not only were women excluded from the participation in the band for close to 100 years, once they were granted permission to join they were held to a standard that was not equal to their male counterparts.<\/span><\/p>\n

     Women\u2019s integration into Purdue\u2019s bands may not have been as \u201cAll American\u201d as the marching band\u2019s name proposes, but in the band today, women are appreciated for their participation in the organization and aid in the band\u2019s overall stature. \u201cWhether they graduated a year ago, during World War II, the Depression or before World War I, all band alumni have something in common — and unbridled delight in telling the band tales of their days at \u2018Old Purdue.\u201d [16]<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNotes<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

[1] Purdue News Service: Purdue Band\u2019s history commemorated, 7 December 1987, Purdue Bands Vertical Files 1980-1989, Purdue Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.<\/span><\/p>

[2]\u00a0 Ibid.<\/span><\/p>

[3] History, Purdue University Purdue Bands & Orchestras, <\/span>https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bands\/aboutus\/history\/<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

[4] Ibid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

[5] Ibid.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

[6] Purdue All American Band 1958-59 Pamphlet, 1958, Lynne Ann Phillips Scrapbook, Purdue Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.<\/span><\/p>

[7] Ensembles, Purdue University Purdue Bands & Orchestras, <\/span>https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/bands\/ensembles\/<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

[8] Purdue University Bands General Information booklet 1959-1960, 1959, Lynne Ann Phillips Scrapbook, Purdue Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.<\/span><\/p>

[9] Ibid.<\/span><\/p>

[10] College Bands Strike it Big, Parade Reading Eagle 12, November 1967, Purdue Bands Vertical Files 1960-1969, Purdue Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.<\/span><\/p>

[11] Purdue University All American Marching Band Handbook Fall 1992, 1992, UA 160, Purdue University Bands and Orchestras records, Purdue Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.<\/span><\/p>

[12] Purdue University Department of University Bands Course Offerings and Information Booklet 2000-2001, 2000, Purdue Bands UA 160, Purdue University Bands and Orchestras records, Purdue Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.<\/span><\/p>

[13] Purdue University All American Marching Band Handbook Fall 1992, Purdue Bands UA 160, Purdue University Bands and Orchestras records, Purdue Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.<\/span><\/p>

[14] Ibid.<\/span><\/p>

[15] Ibid.<\/span><\/p>

[16] Purdue News Service: Purdue Band\u2019s history commemorated, 7 December 1987, Purdue Bands Vertical Files 1980-1989, Purdue Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Jackie Krutsch      \u201cEvery time something good happens to the university, people look to the band to play \u2018Hail Purdue.\u2019\u201d [1] Purdue\u2019s band embodies years of tradition, history, and pride for the school. The band started in 1886 with a handful of cadets and has now grown into a band department that encompasses an organization of more than 800 students. [2] These statements shed light on the magnitude of Purdue\u2019s… Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":845,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[51,30,92,93,8],"class_list":["post-843","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gendering-performance-pmo-and-the-all-american-marching-band","tag-college-sports","tag-discrimination","tag-marching-band","tag-representation","tag-student-activities"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-23 07:11:43","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/843","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=843"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/843\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1102,"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/843\/revisions\/1102"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/845"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=843"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=843"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ascblogs.lib.purdue.edu\/fall2019-honors49900\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=843"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}