Auditions to Opening Day 1
Drew Bastian, a prospective rookie (p-rookie) percussionist, signs up for his music audition time on the p-rookie music audition sheet. Bastian, a sophomore, is studying music education and percussion, and, after having a number of friends in the Blue Band last year, "decided, why not? I'll audition this year." P-rookies audition on their instrument in the Blue Band Building, but also go through a day of marching instruction before the selection of those moving on to be in the band. For the full story, visit live.psu.edu/story/34206 online.
Auditions to Opening Day 2
Prospective second-year returnee trombonist Katelynn Griess discusses parts of her audition material with Assistant Director Greg Drane on Wednesday, Aug. 20, following her music audition. All members wishing to the return to the band are required to go through the same music audition process as the rookie prospects.
Auditions to Opening Day 3
Prospective rookies (p-rookies) continued to march as the sun set. The days are long for p-rookies, and many were exhausted by night's end after having played and marched for the better part of the day.
Auditions to Opening Day 4
Freshman trombonist James Ball, right, reacts with relief as he hears his name called. At the end of prospective rookie practice on Wednesday night, Blue Band Director Richard Bundy announced the names of those musicians who made the cuts and have been invited back for the start of three-a-day rehearsals on Thursday. About twice as many prospective rookies auditioned than there were available spots in the band.
Auditions to Opening Day 5
Fourth-year Blue Band trombone guide Jenn Ober goes over the technique of the Blue Band's traditional high-step marching style with a prospective rookie following a rookie orientation practice. This marching method, the exclusive style of the Blue Band's Pregame performance, is characterized by the 90-degree knee and leg-hip angles, and the pointing of the toe downward during the peak of the step.
Auditions to Opening Day 6
Due to the hot, dry, un-watered conditions and constant pounding of the ground by 300-plus pairs of feet, trenches of bare dirt have formed a grid in the grass of the field. This season, the dust at some points reached a level deemed potentially unhealthful by the staff, and dust-filtering facemasks were issued to band members.
Auditions to Opening Day 7
Blue Band Director Richard Bundy leads the "rookie run" through a tunnel of returning band members at the end of the final session of the day during Blue Band camp.
Auditions to Opening Day 8
Freshman Max Besong gets fitted for the standard issue spats and Nike athletic shoes by fourth-year band member Devon Herrick during Uniform Day, held Sunday, Aug. 24, at the Blue Band Building. Uniform parts such as spats and gloves are purchased each year by band members to maintain a uniform appearance, but all rookies are issued a pair of black shoes such as these shown here as part of their first-year admittance.
Auditions to Opening Day 9
The Penn State Blue Band performs for the first time in public as a full group at "Be a Part from the Start" held on Friday, Aug. 22. The event catered to all first-year students and aimed to get them included in the goings-on of the University from the very beginning. The Blue Band, with its Touch of Blue majorettes and Blue Band Silks, performed along with the Lionettes Dance Team and the Penn State Cheerleaders.
Auditions to Opening Day 10
The Blue Band performs its halftime show. For more photos of the Blue Band's nine-day band camp, visit live.psu.edu/stilllife/1780 online.
Sunday, January 19, 2020
