The conference, now known as the Big Ten, would be a primary driver in much of the early history of both football and marching band. While the sport was born in the Northeast, its next outpost was the Midwest. In the first half decade of the 20th century, five championships were awarded away from the Northeast, four to Michigan and one to Chicago. The sport continued to take shape as we know it today
I remember just how intense the culture was and how important it was to everybody that was involved and the power of having a marching band or a live band behind you at these events. I mean, it really does change the atmosphere. So, believe it or not, I think my first real experience learning about marching bands and the importance behind them was actually the movie Drum Line with Nick Cannon that came out in 2002, I believe I was 1011, I think, when that movie came out
phil spade
@Phil · 0:48
Curtis the mere mention of the purdue marching band really made my day. My dad was actually in the purdue marching band back in the it's just a band that I've followed over the years. Now they have what they claim to have the world's largest drum, and it is pretty big. I don't know if it's technically true or not, but purdue is full of engineers, and they're pretty precise on what they do and what they claim
Curtis Tarver
@cwt302 · 1:06
But yes, I never marched in college. Or I guess more specifically, I was never in a marching band in college. The summer before my senior year, we did get a set of field drums for the sole purpose of making us more mobile. So we did march on a very limited basis, including the homecoming parade that year
Curtis Tarver
@cwt302 · 0:52
It's. Phil, that's really cool to hear that your dad marched at Purdue. I tend to think about the all American marching band around this time of year as their most famous member celebrates an important anniversary. Yesterday was the 54th anniversary of the moon landing, and the first man on the moon, Neil Armstrong, also marched baritone horn at Purdue. And of course, you mentioned that Purdue also boasts the big bass drum
phil spade
@Phil · 0:46
Curtis absolutely right. Neil Armstrong actually did play in the Purdue marching band. And another one of Purdue's most famous alumni, Orville Reddenbacher, also played in the marching band. He was a tuba player. And I'm posting a picture of Orville Reddenbacher in the band. Now, if you're not familiar with Orville Reddenbacher, the next time you're in the grocery store, go down the aisle where there's popcorn. You'll see orville reddenbacher's face there?
Curtis Tarver
@cwt302 · 0:36
I appreciate you sharing that, Phil. I did not know always and I realized erroneously associated Orville Reddenbacher with Valpo. And of course that's because in his ad spots he said I'm Orville Reddenbacher from Valparaiso, Indiana. Now of course the university is not the same as the city, but I know the city of Valparaiso has a statue of Orville Reddenbacher there. So I've always just sort of conflated the two