Off Topic: 9 Days from Auditions to Performance

Many readers know I have a Masters in Geography from Penn State. Only a few know that as part of that degree I explored the geographic problem of the Penn State Blue Band, the well regarded marching band famous for among other things writing PSU and LIONS across the field at Beaver Stadium.

I was in the band, as rookie and I must say, an alternate, back in 1987-88. So, as classes gear up across K-12, college and grad programs for fall I was delighted to read about how it all works. How the band goes from “nothing” to a “show” in 9 days. It involves band camp, weeding out those who don’t make it, then lots of practice. And, yes, there is a quite a lot of geographical learning, too!

This article and the photos will bring back memories for band folks, band parents, and band fans from schools everywhere.