11-03-2026
The Purdue “All-American” Marching Band (AAMB) helps Mitch Daniels School of Business students develop discipline and time management skills that support their academic success. The daily routine of marching band requires students to balance rehearsals and performances with their coursework.
Members also build lasting friendships, take part in beloved Purdue traditions and gain experiences that extend beyond the field.
For Daniels students in the AAMB, band camp offers an opportunity to form friendships before the academic year begins. Lauren Cunningham, a junior marketing major who plays clarinet, said that the experience helped her find an instant friend group.
“There are 400 people immediately, before classes even start, that you start talking to and making friends with," she said. "It makes easing into school a lot easier, because you might know people in your classes.”
Cunningham also found that learning new halftime routines for each home game sharpened her study habits: “Learning to memorize music in such a short amount of time does help you. It’s easier to retain information because you are so used to doing that.”
With two hours of practice every weekday and games on Saturdays, marching band requires a significant time commitment. Rather than conflicting with academics, that schedule encourages students to use their time effectively.
Lindsay Mack, a sophomore in Integrated Business and Engineering (IBE) and the band’s “Miss Boilerette” feature twirler, stays on top of her coursework by planning ahead.
“I keep a really organized calendar,” Mack said. “I complete all my homework assignments a week in advance.”
Being in the AAMB also connected Mack with study partners in her program. “There are people that I’ve met in the band that are also in IBE. It’s given me a way to ask them about classes.”
Nathaniel Young, a senior economics major who plays the sousaphone, doesn’t like having homework on the weekends, so he tries to finish it all during the week.
Young did not march in high school — his school only had a concert band. He learned about Purdue’s program through YouTube videos. Taking the chance to audition gave him confidence in the classroom, too.
“I kind of just figured out I could do it,” Young said. “That’s something I take into every part of my life.”
Zachary Knotts, a sophomore studying film and sports broadcasting, balances marching in the Big Ten Flags section with his work as a marketing and communications intern at the Daniels School. He credits the band with keeping him focused and accountable.
“They’re your community,” Knotts said. “They’re not going to be people that are going to discourage you from having to do what you need to do and getting your work done.”
The band’s reach extends well beyond football games. Members perform at events across the state, including the Indianapolis 500, where Young recalled shaking Keanu Reeves’ hand and seeing Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. He also witnessed Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam don a tuba.
Members are preparing for a spring break trip to Ireland, where they plan to participate in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Dublin and perform at Kilkenny Castle.
The AAMB also provides opportunities to connect with Purdue’s traditions and alumni. At homecoming, more than 500 alumni return to march with the band, including Cunningham’s father, who will take the field alongside her.
For Caitlin Cotten, manager of recruitment and student success for Purdue Bands & Orchestras, that reflects the program's legacy.
“That legacy isn’t just of music and marching excellence — it’s a legacy of community,” Cotten said. “The relationships our students build with each other, as well as our faculty and staff, are what keep them coming back year after year.”
The AAMB community is one part of a larger musical program at Purdue. With more than 1,300 students and 25+ ensembles, Purdue Bands & Orchestras offers students multiple ways to stay involved while pursuing their degrees.
