专辑简介

Ever since 1907, when they were the first to break ranks and form letters on the gridiron, The Purdue Band has been a band of “firsts.” High among their other notable achievements is the fact that they are the largest university band in the United States. This is quite a feat for a university that does not have a music school or any music students. Yet, The Purdue Band is recognized as one of the nation’s leading proponents of the “pageantry type” of football show, as well as a serious and distinctive medium of musical expression – one that is of vital service and importance to its University and the community it serves. As you listen to these actual on-the-scene performances in the ‘Field Of Color,’ by The Purdue University Symphonic Band, under the direction of Al G. Wright, you will agree that their record of distinction and international prestige is truly warranted. It was back in 1920 that The Purdue Band became the first in history to play an opponent’s school song. Here, they march onto the field to the strains of The Purple Pageant, a rousing salute to their gridiron rivals, the Wildcats of Northwestern. Emblem Of Unity, which follows, clearly demonstrates the band’s precision in working together with the various personnel covering the field – bandsmen, majorettes and auxiliary units. Colossus Of Columbia and Hosts Of Freedom are two distinct numbers – the former stately and majestic; the latter a cymbal crashing go-go-go spirit provoker. Then, Officer Of The Guard, with its military air, brings back the snappy, pass-in-review precision marching of field formations. The side concludes with The Southerner, a reflection of the Old South which proves that marching bands can be highly melodic. Here Comes The Band introduces the halftime ceremonies at their exuberant best. Then, the title tune, Field Of Color, ushers in the gridiron maneuvers, its blazing fanfare introduction recalling that Purdue was the first band to use fanfare trumpets on the field – back in 1930. Glory Of The Gridiron captures the color and excitement of a football stadium any Saturday in autumn. March Of The Majorettes, up next, is dedicated to the “Rockettes of the Gridiron,” a line of twenty dancing and twirling majorettes which The Purdue Band first innovated in 1954. The band then turns to the instrument-flashing, high-stepping Black And Gold which represents the team colors of the Purdue Boilermakers. This march, incidentally, was dedicated to The Purdue Band and to Mr. Wright by one of their longtime admirers, bandmaster-composer, Karl L. King. The show ends with the gala “three-ring-march” Circus Days, another rousing composition packed with authentic tanbark flavor, from the pen of former circus bandmaster, Karl L. King. Professor Al G. Wright, Director of Bands at Purdue University, is one of the nation’s foremost marching band authorities and symphonic band conductors. He has developed a variety of special marching steps and styles for the Purdue pageants as well as contributed numerous arrangements for the band repertory. Though constantly in demand as a band clinician and guest conductor, Professor Wright finds time to serve as honorary member of many musical organizations, including the National Band Association, of which he is currently the President.