FANFARE SPRING 2026
FROM THE DIRECTOR FACULTY & STAFF
Greetings from West Lafayette!
As I am writing to you now from Hagle Hall, I am pleased to report that Purdue Bands & Orchestras is wrapping up another incredible spring semester. I am constantly impressed by the way our students meet the challenges of their academic responsibilities and still push themselves to higher levels of musicianship year after year.
Please join in the celebration with us through our 2026 spring issue of Fanfare. Inside you will find news of our official appointment of the 6th Director of the “All-American” Marching Band, 2026 drum majors and twirling team, Purdue Day of Giving recap, alumni concerts, upcoming events, and much more. It is always wonderful to take this time and reflect on the many successes of the semester and remind ourselves of the positive impact the arts can have on an individual and our community’s culture.
Throughout this spring semester, our faculty and staff have worked tirelessly to continue to grow and improve our department for future generations to come. However, we are fully aware that it is only with the constant support of our extended PBO family that we are able to make real and lasting impacts. You are a true hero for our department and are the driving force behind the many victories of Purdue Bands & Orchestras. We are ever grateful!
Hail Purdue,
Jay S. Gephart
Director & Al G. Wright Chair
Purdue Bands & Orchestras
Jay S. Gephart
Director and Al G. Wright Chair
Matthew R. Conaway
Professor, Director of the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band
Dr. Pamela J. Nave
Associate Professor, Director of Percussion
Adam Bodony
Assistant Professor, Director of Orchestras
Bethany Robinson
Clinical Assistant Professor, Director of Jazz
Jarrard Harris
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. David M. Blon
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Lucas Petersen
Clinical Assistant Professor
Douglas R. Fletcher Director of Operations
Esther Kirgiss
Director of External Relations
Caitlin Cotten
Manager of Recruitment & Student Success
Humza Nasir
Multimedia Designer
Susan Lipscomb
Senior Administrative Assistant
Kim Delks
Business Assistant
Morgan Loetz
Assistant Director of Operations, Director of Auxiliaries, and Twirling Coach
Natalie Hess
Golduster Dance Team Coach
Jef Furr
Golden Silks Color Guard and Purdue Winter Guard Coach
Amy Brandfonbrener
Chamber Music Instructor
Adisyn Nichols
Student Office Assistant
Elora Ifeguni
Graphic Design Intern
Udochukwu Akorah
Social Media Ambassador
OCTOBER
FALL CONCERTS
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
36th ANNUAL PURDUE JAZZ FESTIVAL
While winter storms and bitter temperatures necessitated the cancellation of the 36th annual Purdue Jazz Festival Day, we were fortunate to host our local school clinics, Community Jazz Showcase concert, and other events before the severe weather arrived. We were disappointed to miss the opportunity to gather on campus with more than 100 middle and high school bands to celebrate their hard work, talent, and love for jazz. However, the safety of the students, directors, families, and guests traveling to campus was our highest priority.
“While we didn’t get the monster competition and festival day on Saturday, we managed to enjoy an amazing Yellowjackets concert, a hang with Bob Mintzer and Dane Alderson, a Jazz Jam and Masterclass with Artist-In-Residence, Kirby Fellis, local high school clinics with Lafayette Jefferson, Harrison, McCutcheon, and West Lafayette, and an incredible Community Showcase concert featuring their bands alongside the Purdue Jazz Band!
- Bethany Robinson, Director of Jazz
Additionally, one week after the intended jazz fest, Purdue Bands & Orchestras experienced another memorable win amidst the disappointment of canceling the event. The Purdue Jazz Band had a once in a lifetime opportunity to open for Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra on the Elliott Hall of Music Stage for Purdue Convocation’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Event. It was an honor to play a part in JLCO’s mission of preserving and advancing jazz performance and education.
Even though their hard work was not fully realized, a massive thank you is owed to the faculty, staff, student volunteers, visiting artists, clinicians, adjudicators, and participating schools who prepared tirelessly for this event. The annual Purdue Jazz Festival has been a highlight for our community for the past 35 years, and we look forward to gathering again next year.
Save the date for the 37th Purdue Jazz Festival on January 23rd, 2027!
GROVE MUSIC FESTIVAL
This January, Professor Bethany Robinson and the Purdue Jazz Collective served as featured guest artists and clinicians at the Grove Music Festival in Midland, Michigan. Through a series of breakout rehearsals and two outstanding performances, our students excelled at leading high school musicians from Meridian, Midland, Bay City Central, and Midland Dow high school jazz bands alongside Professor Robinson.
The Purdue Jazz Collective consists of Olivia Helmuth – vocals, Dan Gui – trumpet, Elliot Woo – alto sax, Seth DeWhitt – tenor sax, MacGuyver Cottrell – trombone, Michael Wall –piano, TJ Kay – guitar, Carl Nielsen – drumset, and Bethany Robinson – bass.
Professor Bethany Robinson adds that “the Grove Music Festival was a wonderful community celebration, where the organizers and community members came together to provide incredible music education opportunities for the local schools through performances, clinics, masterclasses, and rehearsals. I was fortunate to bring incredibly gifted Purdue University jazz students to work with and play alongside the high school students of the Midland, Michigan area. I loved leading workshops, an honor band, and especially playing alongside my talented students. The final concert was such a celebration for the entire community, and you could see so much excitement from the high school students in the crowd as they witnessed the incredible talent of our Purdue Jazz students. One of my favorite parts was seeing them answer questions and getting photos with the audience members after the show. It was my first ‘Partners in Music Education’ experience at Purdue, and I can’t wait to do more now that I’ve seen the impact it has.”
IMEA INTERCOLLEGIATE BAND
Every other year, the Indiana Music Education Association features a performance by an Intercollegiate Band. Sponsored by the Indiana College Band Directors National Association, the Intercollegiate Band is comprised of talented college musicians from across the state –nominated by their directors and selected by committee.
This year, Wind Ensemble students, Jeana Yeo, flute, Ava Baker, oboe, Andrew Nguyen, trumpet, Ryan Sierra, horn, Michael Gardner, euphonium, Elaine Lee, trombone, Henry Tsay, trombone, and Corbin Richardson, percussion, had the distinct honor of performing “La Chancla” (2024) in the Intercollegiate Band, under the direction of Cuban-Colombian conductor and composer, Dennis Llinás, Director of Bands at The University of Oregon.
The Intercollegiate Band was an amazing experience. Getting to perform alongside fantastic musicians from all over was incredible. I really enjoyed rehearsing with Dr. Llinás. His energy and passion for music was infectious, and I could tell everyone loved playing ‘La Chancla’ with him.
– Michael Gardner, euphonium
2026 AAMB LEADERSHIP
DRUM MAJORS GOLDEN GIRL
Calder Feit Rising Senior Chemical Engineering DeMotte, Indiana
Kenvar Pujoe Jr. Rising Senior Professional Flight Technology Merrillville, Indiana
GIRL-IN-BLACK
Audrey Circle Rising Junior Communication West Lafayette, Indiana
Ireland Jones Rising Senior Media and Mass Communications Carmel, Indiana
MISS BOILERETTE
Lindsay Mack Rising Sophomore Integrated Business and Engineering Renfrew, Pennsylvania
Mazie Zepeda Rising Sophomore Psychology Perrysburg, Ohio
Avery Ladd Incoming Freshman Marketing and Management Commerce Township, Michigan
ALL-AMERICAN TWIRLING TEAM
Rising senior: Megan Zoll
Rising junior: Allie Nitz
Rising sophomore: Hannah VanDeventer
Incoming freshman: Madison Anderson, Caroline Gardner, Abigail Marquissee, and Morgan Schweizer
SILVER TWINS
CONAWAY APPOINTED 6th DIRECTOR
Purdue Bands & Orchestras is thrilled to announce that professor Matthew R. Conaway has been named the sixth director of the iconic “All-American” Marching Band.
Conaway’s journey with Purdue Bands & Orchestras began in 2001 as a graduate assistant. He went on to serve as director of bands for the West Lafayette Community School Corporation for a decade before returning to Purdue as a faculty member in 2012. Since then, Conaway has contributed extensively to the program — spending 12 seasons as associate director, one season as co-director during the pandemic and one season as interim director of the “All-American” Marching Band. He also leads Boiler Brass, the men’s basketball pep band, and conducts a variety of indoor concert ensembles.
Beyond his dedication to Purdue Bands & Orchestras, Conaway plays an active role in university governance. He serves on several key committees, including the Advisory Committee on Equity; the Primary Promotions Committee for the Patti and Rusty Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance; the Area Promotions Committee for the College of Liberal Arts; and the Campus Promotions Committee. He currently chairs the Athletic Affairs Committee.
Conaway’s commitment to student success is evident through his seven years of service on the Purdue University Senate, where he contributed to both the Student Affairs Committee and the Steering Committee. In addition, his passion for working with students shines through his advisory roles with various student organizations.
“ There is something really special about the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band. The students are fantastic, the faculty and staff are top-tier, and the alumni have never lost their love for this organization. I am inspired every day by everyone’s commitment to this program and look forward to many years of collaborating for the good of our students and Purdue community
He added, “I am ready to meet this challenge, beyond excited to take on this new role and ever grateful to Purdue University for entrusting me with this treasured, iconic organization.”
The Purdue Bands & Orchestras family is excited to welcome Professor Conaway as director and looks forward to the next chapter of excellence for the “All-American” Marching Band under his leadership.
SPRING BREAK TOUR OF SPAIN
Under the direction of Professor Jay Gephart, Dr. David Blon, and Professor Bethany Robinson, the Purdue Wind Ensemble and Purdue Jazz Band toured Spain this spring break, for the first time since 2015. Our wonderfully talented student musicians were afforded the opportunity not only to travel and explore but perform in fantastic venues throughout the country alongside guest artist, Victor Mendoza on vibraphone. From Auditorio Centro Cultural Sanchinarro in Madrid to Almansa Auditorio in Almansa and Liceu Conservatory in Barcelona, our students will remember this tour for a lifetime.
“The Spain trip was incredibly inspiring. We experienced a wide range of Spanish culture, from the historic charm of Toledo to the spectacle of Las Fallas in Valencia. I especially valued the opportunity to deepen my connections with fellow PBO musicians and to collaborate with talented international artists. Immersing myself in such a unique culture was truly moving, and I will always cherish this trip as an unforgettable part of my Purdue Bands & Orchestras experience.
- TJ Kay, guitar, Purdue Jazz Band
The week began in the capital city of Madrid with time to enjoy self-guided tours of Museo Nacional del Prado and the Royal Palace. From there, they headed southwest to Toledo, nestled into the banks of the Tagus river. A walking tour guided them through winding, cobblestoned streets culminating with the Primatial Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, a Gothic, Roman Catholic cathedral.
Next, the group traveled onward to the city of Valencia and were welcomed with fanfare by the final two days of the Fallas Festival, a 2-week long festival that combines tradition, satire, and art to ring in the spring season through fantastic displays of pyrotechnics and parades. After free time to explore the city at their leisure, students packed back up and trekked to the small town of Almansa for a memorable performance featuring members from the town’s own community band alongside the Wind Ensemble.
The last stop on the tour was the beautiful city of Barcelona, known for its architecture, namely designed by the famed Antoni Gaudí. Students enjoyed time to hike at Park Güell, the stunning Basílica de la Sagrada Família, and more – ending their trip with a Flamenco show highlighting the spirit and soul of one of Spain’s most cherished forms of storytelling.
With the close of one exceptional trip, comes planning for the next. Stay tuned as Purdue Bands & Orchestras travels with the Purdue “All-American” Marching Band to Ireland for the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in 2027!
CHAPTER UPDATES
Kappa Kappa Psi is the national honorary band service fraternity that works with Tau Beta Sigma, the national honorary band service sorority, to serve and aid college bands. Our chapter is made up of 60 brothers from many different instruments, musical backgrounds, and majors, and we have many projects that we put on throughout each semester!
Alongside our traditional service project of assisting with all concert stage crews, we cleaned up Slayter Center last semester, built new storage shelves, and continued to clean our building, Hagle Hall! We hosted an instrument petting zoo for local elementary school kids, as well as various community events. Our music chair also organized several meaningful performances for ROTC activities!
This semester, we are very excited to continue broadening our service to Purdue Bands & Orchestras and continue offering new musical opportunities. Concrete plans include a bi-weekly game night, and our annual department-wide dodgeball tournament is in the works! To learn more, visit purduekkpsi. com or follow us on Instagram @kky_gammapi.
- Elissa Weinrick, Chapter President
Tau Beta Sigma is an honorary band sorority dedicated to serving collegiate bands. The Purdue University chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, the Beta Sigma chapter, is passionate about our acts of service, music appreciation, and leadership. Our chapter serves Purdue Bands & Orchestras in many ways. We run a music supply store called the Kloset for students to purchase essential band items, usher for concerts, make props for the “All-American” Marching Band halftime shows, and more!
Beta Sigma kept busy this past fall semester. Our chapter hosted a concert at University Place nursing home, set up a recording studio for online video auditions, put on fun recruitment events for students, and much more. As the president of the Beta Sigma chapter, I have assisted in planning and executing these events. It has given me much joy to see our hard work pay off.
This semester we have the pleasure of inviting 20 new Membership Candidates into our chapter! We are looking forward to welcoming them into the sisterhood. Beta Sigma is excited to continue our service to the West Lafayette music community, and we hope to continue to strengthen the connections we have made with the Purdue Kappa Kappa Psi chapter and the Jazz Education Network (JEN) chapter on campus. To learn more about our chapter, check out our website purduetbs.com and our Instagram @purduebetasigma.
- Julie Barber, Chapter President
The Jazz Education Network (JEN) is a national community where inquiry, exploration, and innovation are nurtured and encouraged to grow through education and performance. Our chapter here at Purdue is centered around building off this mission by expanding and developing our own Purdue jazz community through engaging educational events. Notably, we also seek to expand our local jazz community by directly marketing to anyone with a remote interest in jazz, not just students enrolled in Purdue Jazz Bands.
This past fall semester, we launched our JEN combos and had many engaging events like audition and improvisation workshops, as well as a trip to Carmel, IN to see trumpet maestro, Brandon Woody! We have many more exciting events and opportunities planned for this semester, so be sure to keep an eye on our newsletter. To learn more about our chapter, join our discord https://discord.gg/MqtfuDkjEW or follow us on Instagram @purdue.jen.
- Seth DeWhitt, Chapter President
HAAS QUARTET AT BOILERMAKER BALL
Purdue Bands & Orchestras opens doors for students with exemplary talent to connect with the campus and community beyond through unique and sometimes theatrical events. This spring the Sandra Yover Haas Quartet was honored to perform at the 2026 Boilermaker Ball in Indianapolis. The evening’s theme was “Midwinter Night’s Dream”. Rohan, Loxea, Akirin, and Tiana were dressed like a fairytale dream and performed center stage for a grand reception of honored Purdue partners, faculty, and friends.
“All of the decorations and the costumes were beautiful and really made me proud to be representing Purdue Bands & Orchestras and working with my fellow musicians
STUDENT AWARDS
Tiana Lin - Lafayette Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 Keller Concerto Competition Winner
Corbin Richardson, Grace O’Neil & Tiana Lin - Sudler Prize in the Arts
Mei Mei Rossi & Victoria Knott - Purdue Bands & Orchestras Concerto Competition Co-Winners
- Akirin Au, violin
ALUMNI CONCERT BAND
On April 18, 2026, the Purdue Bands & Orchestras Alumni Concert Band took their seats on the Elliott Hall of Music stage. It was a memorable evening for our students, alumni, and faculty alike. Their performance showcased a rich program of music by composers like Sheldon, Yoder, Barnes, and the late, great Gladys Wright. Approximately 50 concert band alumni, spanning multiple generations, shared music together; creating a warm and supportive atmosphere that made the performance even more special. After the music concluded, esteemed guests gathered for a reception in Hagle Hall, offering an opportunity to reconnect and celebrate together. We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended and helped make the event such a success, and we look forward to welcoming even more alumni to participate in future concerts. Make sure to sign up for our newsletter via our website, and follow us on social media to stay up to date on upcoming events!
SUMMER CONCERT BAND
Are you looking for a way to play music this summer? The Purdue Summer Concert Band is open to all area musicians that are high school-aged and up. This “town-and-gown” group includes a wonderful cross-section of the Greater Lafayette community. Participation is FREE and there is no audition necessary.
Eligibility: Open to Purdue students, high school students, staff members, staff dependents and local musicians.
Rehearsals: Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 PM at Hagle Hall, room 378 on June 2, 9, 23, 30 and July 7, 14, 21.
Performance: Thursday, July 23, 2026 at 6:30 pm in the Memorial Island Amphitheater in Columbian Park and will be immediately followed by a performance by the Lafayette Citizens’ Band.
To register, please scan the QR code or contact Dr. David Blon (dblon@purdue.edu) with any questions.
ALUMNI MARCHING BAND
Mark your calendars for a chance to return to the field! The Alumni Marching Band will reunite for Homecoming 2026, on November 7, 2026, for a day of music, spirit, and connection. We are looking forward to welcoming you back to celebrate and perform together once again. More details and registration information will be shared soon, so stay tuned—we hope to see you there!
ALUMNI PAGE
MEET THE ADVISORY BOARD
Pam represented Purdue and the state of Indiana with the AAMB as a part of the 1984 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California!
PAM STROLLO
Bachelor of Science in Geology - 1984, Master of Science in Industrial Engineering - 1987 Flute and Piccolo
Purdue “All-American” Marching Band, American Music Review, Symphony Band, and Basketball Band Library Team Volunteer
I auditioned for the inaugural piccolo section in the AAMB. 32 tried out, 8 made it. During tryouts, Maxine Lefevre put the pressure on letting us know that Al Wright wasn’t a fan of piccolos. The pride I felt was priceless when I secured one of the eight spots and was able to call myself a member of the “All-American” Marching Band.
IN MEMORIAM
DICK DUNSCOMB
It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our friend and former colleague, Professor Richard “Dick” Dunscomb, who passed away on November 12, 2025, leaving behind a legacy defined by his passion for jazz and his transformative influence as an educator. A native of Decatur, Illinois, he studied trumpet at Millikin University before embarking on a decades long career as a teacher, conductor, clinician, and mentor whose work shaped generations of jazz musicians.
A pivotal chapter of Professor Dunscomb’s career unfolded at Purdue University, where he taught from 1974-1988. He served as the Director of Bands for eight of those years, starting in 1980. His leadership helped establish a vibrant program that became a model for collegiate jazz education. At Purdue, he championed student-centered learning, fostered collaboration across ensembles, and inspired young musicians to approach jazz with both discipline and joy. Many former Purdue students credit him with igniting their lifelong commitment to music and with setting the academic and artistic foundations that continue to guide Purdue’s jazz offerings today.
Professor Dunscomb later went on to launch the jazz program at Florida International University and to serve as Chair of the Music Department at Columbia College Chicago, where he developed forward looking contemporary music programs and mentored faculty with a vision for the future of music education. Colleagues remember him as a motivating force who recognized potential in others and encouraged bold artistic growth.
Beyond academia, he was an internationally respected conductor, adjudicator, and clinician, sharing American jazz across Europe, Australia, South America, Canada, Japan, and Sweden. His co authored text, Jazz Pedagogy, remains a foundational resource for educators worldwide.
Professor Dunscomb is survived by a global community of musicians, educators, and students who carry forward his teachings and his love for jazz. His influence endures and Purdue Bands & Orchestras is grateful to be part of his legacy.
TOM MILLER
Purdue Bands & Orchestras mourns the loss of a cherished friend. This year, we said goodbye to Tom Miller, who passed at the age of 83, on February 28, 2026. A proud Hoosier from Cicero, Indiana and graduate of Elkhart Senior High School, Tom went on to earn his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Purdue University, an experience that shaped both his professional path and his lifelong devotion to supporting students.
Tom’s connection to Purdue extended far beyond his own student years. After beginning his career with RCA and Univac during the early era of computing, he returned to his alma mater as an Assistant Professor of computer technology in the Purdue University School of Engineering and Technology at Indianapolis. There, he became a trusted mentor to countless students, known for his clarity, patience, and genuine investment in their success.
But Tom’s most personal and joyful engagement with Purdue came through Purdue Bands & Orchestras, where he became one of the program’s most devoted friends. He was a member of the PBO Advisory Board and served faithfully as the chair for many years. However, Tom always went above and beyond for the department and more specifically for the students. Each summer, he opened his lakeside home to host the annual Purdue Band Student Leadership Picnic—a tradition filled with Tom’s signature hospitality. These gatherings marked the start of each new school year, offering student leaders a sense of welcome, community, and support that many carried with them long after graduation.
Tom’s love for Purdue Bands & Orchestras’ students and his belief in the power of education guided his extraordinary philanthropy. Through endowed scholarships, he provided full ride opportunities to numerous students, ensuring that financial barriers would never stand in the way of talent or ambition. His generosity extended across multiple institutions, but Purdue always held a special place in his heart.
Tom’s legacy lives on in the students he supported, the leaders he encouraged, and the Purdue Bands & Orchestras community he embraced with genuine care.
VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT TEAM
Much like your band and orchestra parent boosters at school, Purdue Bands & Orchestras relies on volunteers to assist in our day-to-day operations, but we are studentrun! The Volunteer Management program is comprised of eight teams, involving hundreds of students from every area of the department and provides unique leadership experience and opportunities to get to know fellow Purdue Bands & Orchestras staff, faculty, and musicians.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
OUTREACH TEAM LEADER - CHLOE MCGUIRE
My name is Chloe McGuire, and I am the Outreach Team Leader for the 2025-2026 school year. The Outreach team strives to foster relationships between PBO students and the alumni, donors, and Greater Lafayette community members that support our program. This is accomplished in a variety of ways, from connecting with alumni during events such as Alumni Marching Band to preparing social media content to engage donors during Purdue Day of Giving. We are always looking for new ways to build relationships and best represent our department.
This past fall, our team assisted with several events. Early in the semester, we enjoyed the privilege of hosting a mixer for members of Chameleon, an alumni variety band – originally formed in 1975, celebrating their 50th reunion. Outreach volunteers and other PBO students connected with members of the group to learn about their experiences in PBO and their careers. As the semester wrapped up, many additional volunteer opportunities arose. We improved the Awards Banquet experience by setting up decor, checking in guests, and ushering donors to their tables. We also hosted an Outreach Work Day during which we prepared thank you
cards for donors, packed holiday orders, and reviewed the events of the semester.
An Outreach project that I am quite excited for this semester is community volunteering. PBO receives so much support from Greater Lafayette, whether by attending our concerts or enjoying our game day performances. It is important for our department to give back to our wonderful community. We plan to send small groups to perform for nursing home residents and to support local volunteering events, such as Detrash the Wabash, that recruit groups from across the county to achieve a common goal. There are so many amazing opportunities to give back, and I am thrilled to see this project continue to develop!
I have been involved with Outreach since 2024, and I feel that I have grown so much by working with and now leading this wonderful team. I have had the chance to develop essential leadership and communication skills that will be invaluable as I pursue my career. I also value every opportunity to interact with alumni, as they are excited to share wisdom and advice that you cannot gain from anywhere else. I have gained so many lifelong friendships through my participation in PBO, and I am grateful to be able to give back to the department through volunteering. I look forward to seeing what Outreach can accomplish as we round out this semester and move into next year!
FACULTY FEATURE JARRARD HARRIS
A native of Louisville, Kentucky, saxophonist and educator Jarrard Harris is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Bands at Purdue University. Professor Harris is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Rick VanMatre, Pat Harbison, and Marc Fields. Upon graduation from CCM, Professor Harris moved to Chicago in 1998 to attend DePaul University where he earned his master’s degree in jazz studies under the tutelage of Bob Lark, Tim Coffman, and Marc Colby.
He joined Purdue Bands & Orchestras in 2019 and now leads Purdue Tower of Power Band, Lab Jazz Band I, Concert Jazz Band I, and the Jazz Jam sessions.
Professor Harris has served on the jazz faculties of Northwestern University, Columbia College Chicago, the City Colleges of Chicago, and as the Director of Jazz Studies with the Chicago Public Schools Advanced Arts Education Program at Gallery 37. He maintains an active private teaching studio in addition to serving as a director, clinician, guest artist, and adjudicator at college, high school, and state festivals. Professor Harris was a founding board member of the Jazz Education Network and serves as a current board member for the Jazz Institute of Chicago. He plays Vandoren saxophone reeds and mouthpieces, and he is currently a Vandoren Performing Artist.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
MATTIE MIDKIFF
MAJOR AND CLASS
Biomedical Engineering, Junior
INSTRUMENTS
Mellophone and French Horn
ENSEMBLES
“All-American” Marching Band Collegiate Band
Gold & Black Sound
DEPARTMENT SERVICE
Executive Team Lead - Volunteer Management Team
I am ever grateful to have built my strongest friendships through music. This community has supported and inspired me throughout my college career, and being a part of the Volunteer Management Teams has given me a chance to thank Purdue Bands & Orchestras for the opportunities they have provided
PURDUE DAY OF GIVING
For just 24 hours each year, Purdue Bands & Orchestras shoots for the moon—and because of you, we soar past it. The 13th annual Purdue Day of Giving was no exception. On April 29, 2026, a small but mighty team of faculty, staff, and students gathered in Hagle Hall and witnessed the true meaning of Boilermaker spirit in action.
Thanks to your incredible support, we received 4,833 individual gifts of $10 or more, totaling an astounding $676,861. By concentrating our fundraising efforts on this single day, we positioned ourselves to compete for—and win—bonus funds from Purdue through hourly challenges. This year, we secured first place in 12 hourly challenges, including two new categories won thanks to our amazing PBO Parents and PBO Alumni Who Graduated in the
Purdue Bands & Orchestras has been the reason for so many of my incredible experiences here at this university, including performances, travel, and involvement in a community of students like no other. None of these things would have been possible for me without the philanthropy of so many wonderful people who show their appreciation for the department through monetary support.
- Edward Culbertson, Junior in Cybersecurity, Mellophone/French Horn
Number of Gifts: 4,833 of $10+ per gift
Total Gift Amount: $676,861
Hourly Challenges: 1st place in 12 Challenges
Overall Ranking: 1st in Most Overall Gifts of any unit on campus
Bonus Funds: $27,402 for winning hourly challenges and 1st overall in most gifts
Grand Total: $704,263 in just one day!
PURDUE FOR LIFE DEVELOPMENT TEAM
The Purdue for Life Foundation Development Team for Student Life and Teaching & Learning is here to cultivate relationships with Purdue Bands & Orchestras alumni and donors to provide major gift support to the department and facilitate opportunities for our alumni and friends to stay connected, get involved, and give back to Purdue.
Senior Director of Development
Class of 2004
Purdue Bands & Orchestras
2000-2004
“All-American” Marching Band
Drum Major 2003-2004
“Purdue Bands & Orchestras provided me with a home and community as a student. I was able to make lasting memories with lifelong friends who all share the same passion for music and performance. All the opportunities, experiences, and donor funded scholarships in Bands & Orchestras shaped my college years, and are what made my time as a Purdue student truly exceptional.
”“ My favorite part about this role is the many stories and memories that everyone from the University has with the department. From meeting their significant other to traveling to a Bowl Game. Purdue Bands & Orchestras truly is the Heartbeat of the University!
”Development Officer Class of 2019
UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION
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Bob Shriner
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SUPPORT PURDUE BANDS & ORCHESTRAS
Scan the code on the left or visit www.purdue.edu/bands/donate to support Purdue Bands & Orchestras today. Your generosity directly contributes to our students’ success through ensemble travel, scholarships, new instruments, and more! We would not be the program we are today without the ongoing support from alumni, family, and friends.
Scan the code on the right or visit www.purdue.edu/bands/sponsorship to become a Purdue Bands & Orchestras corporate sponsor today! We offer a variety of sponsorship opportunities and enjoy creating ways to support your organization in return. When you become a corporate sponsor, you become part of the Bands & Orchestras family.
