Purduettes looking out at a scenic Hawaii landscape.

Purdue Musical Organizations has a long history of performance travel, providing opportunities for our students to serve as global ambassadors for Purdue, the state of Indiana, and the United States since 1933. PMO is committed to providing these opportunities and is now able to offer these trips at no cost to students thanks to donor support.

We believe in the ability of travel to transform a student’s learning experience, expanding their horizons past the classroom and preparing them for an increasingly global and connected world. This past spring break, our Purduettes ensemble traveled to the beautiful state of Hawaii to learn about its rich cultural heritage, perform in stunning venues, and share the Boilermaker spirit with those lucky enough to call Hawaii their home.

“Learning about other cultures is so powerful and important. When we sang our Hawaiian pieces to local people, it was so impactful. I didn’t realize how meaningful and special it would be, but there is truly nothing like the connection I felt to the music and to the people we performed for during those moments,” second year student and PMO Social Media Ambassador Molly Walker said.

The ensemble had the once in a lifetime opportunity to perform in historical venues and experience the unique culture of the state. From Pearl Harbor to the Polynesian Cultural Center, the members of Purduettes learned about the historical significance and customs of Hawaii and its people, and shared their music along the way.

“Not only did I get to bond greatly with my siblings in song after difficult college years during COVID, I also got to connect with strangers full of stories, wisdom, knowledge, and love that will stick with me forever,” second year student Baylee Clore said.

While this trip brought many Purduettes closer together, the experience itself created memories that will last a lifetime.

“I cannot express enough how much this trip helped me to connect to other students and has made me feel so at home at Purdue and PMO,” first year student Savannah Bretsch said. “Not only have I returned…with a wealth of new cultural knowledge and experiences, [I feel much more] connected to my fellow Purduettes.”