Blue Band director set to go 'Off on Victory'

When the Blue Band exits the football field at the end of halftime, they play the song "Off on Victory," a fitting description of O. Richard Bundy's final Beaver Stadium game after a long and successful career.

Bundy's Last Rookie Run
IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz
Pregame Instructions
IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz
His Own Commemorative Jersey
Penn State Blue Band Director O. Richard Bundy acknowledges the crowd’s cheering after Athletic Director Sandy Barbour presented him with a football jersey. The number 48 on the jersey represents the number of years Bundy was part of the Blue Band, going back to his days as an undergraduate trombonist in the band. Looking on is Bundy’s predecessor, Ned C. Diehl.

IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz
O. Richard Bundy 04
IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz
Announcing One Last Tribute
O. Richard Bundy laughs at the announcement by Blue Band President Stephen Payne, left, that the final Blue Band halftime show of the 2014 season would be some of his first arrangements for the Blue Band in the early 1980s. Because the final show of the season for the Blue Band is made up of band members’ favorites from the current season, Dr. Bundy thought the announcement was a joke and was waiting to hear the “real” selections.

IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz
O. Richard Bundy 07
Director O. Richard Bundy instructs the guides during Blue Band auditions during his final season before retirement. Bundy involves the guides in the audition process for the prospective rookies.

IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz
Bundy Directs from Above
O. Richard Bundy directs a band that numbers more than 300 members, with roughly a quarter of the band turning over every year, and yet he knows every student’s name, and also remembers names of the alumni when they come back to visit.

IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz
At the Ready on the Field
Blue Band Director O. Richard Bundy, right, gives some instructions to Drum Major Christopher Siergiej while assistant directors Carter Biggers, left, and Greg Drane keep an eye on the game action. The band has to be ready to play during breaks in the on-field action, to keep the crowd energized.

IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz
O. Richard Bundy 12
IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz
O. Richard Bundy 13
During the pregame Tailgreat performance at the Bryce Jordan Center on senior day 2009, Blue Band Director O. Richard Bundy joined the trombone section for their feature. Bundy was playing a new Yamaha trombone that the company presented to him in recognition of his service to the Blue Band. In retirement, Bundy hopes to find more time to play his trombone.

IMAGE: Annemarie Mountz