Bust dedication honors Purdue Bands
legend Paul Spotts Emrick
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – All over the globe, people know the Purdue "All-American" Marching Band for the World's Largest Drum and for its Block P formation. But, as sometimes happens with larger-than-life traditions, it's difficult, even for Purdue fans, to pinpoint just how or where they got started.
To help remedy that situation, Purdue University Bands plans to unveil a larger-than-life-size bust of Paul Spotts Emrick, who during 49 years as the marching band's director was responsible for many of the richest traditions associated with it.
The public is invited to attend the Gala Week unveiling and dedication ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 29, on the plaza outside the bands' entrance to Elliott Hall of Music. A reservation-only reunion luncheon for Emrick-era band members and friends precedes the ceremony in the Anniversary Drawing Room of the Purdue Memorial Union.
Evansville sculptor Don Ingle, who also has created busts of many Purdue presidents, crafted the bronze bust that will allow Emrick to maintain a visible presence on the campus he loved.
Emrick died July 28, 1965, in Rochester, Ind., where he grew up. He led the marching band from 1905 to 1954, an era when it was linked with Purdue's ROTC program and when members – almost exclusively male – dressed in military uniform. Freshmen and sophomores with musical talents could meet their ROTC requirement by participating in the band instead of regular ROTC training, and that proved to be a good recruiting tool for Emrick.
An innovator with a flair for capturing the public's attention, Emrick came up with one idea after another that would put Purdue's marching band in the spotlight. In 1907 he dared to defy military tradition by having the band form the letter "P" on the gridiron. It marked the first time a band had ever broken military ranks to create a formation of any kind. Honoring that ground-breaking event, the band still recreates that moment at every pre-football game show it presents.
In 1919, under Emrick's direction, the band became the first to carry all the colors of the schools in the Big Ten. In 1920 it became the first band to play the opposing school's fight song.
Hungry for even flashier firsts, the ever-resourceful Emrick started talking about building a big drum that would set the Purdue Band apart from other bands. Tracking down huge steer hides in South America for the drum heads, the Leedy Corp. of Indianapolis built the big bass drum that is still in use today. It stands more than 10 feet tall on its carriage, weighs more than 500 pounds, and is still believed to be the "World's Largest Drum."
All the acclaim the drum brought the band just encouraged Emrick. On Oct. 5, 1935, on the occasion of the Big Ten's first night game, the Purdue Band presented the first-ever lighted halftime show. The only lights on the field were those outlining the band. Headlights projected out from inside the big bass drum, white lights sparkled in the plumes of the marchers' hats, and colored lights lined their instruments. The drum major held a flaming baton.
When Emrick's Purdue Band finished its program that night, CBS radio announcer Ted Husing couldn't help but say it. "This," he proclaimed, "is a real 'All-American' band." People all over the country had heard it live, and the name was perfect. From that moment on, unofficially at first, but eventually as a formal name, the Purdue Military Band became the "All-American" Marching Band.
The legendary band leader's accomplishments didn't end on the field, according to 1946 alum and West Lafayette resident John Anderson. A gift by Anderson jump-started the remembrance project, and other alumni chipped in to make the bust commission possible.
"We wanted to do it because Spotts was such an influence on so many of us, mostly young men, at that time. He was the epitome of the band spirit," Anderson said. "He turned boys into men. He made you face up to your potential and expected the best out of you; he instilled enthusiasm, and everyone admired him for it."
The bronze bust project is a way "to return some recognition to him," Anderson added.
The bust, which will serve as a constant reminder of Spotts' legacy for all who come to campus, depicts Emrick in full military band uniform, but without his hat.
The hatless bust may lead to a new tradition. "I'd like to see a hat put on him on football days," Anderson said.
CONTACT: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands publicist, (765) 496-6785; kcmatter@purdue.edu
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: In-progress photos of the bust can be obtained from the Purdue Bands Public Relations Office, (765) 496-6785. The dedication ceremony will feature short remarks and have strong visual elements beyond the bust. The World's Largest Bass Drum will be there, accompanied by a band member in current uniform and one in the military drab uniform of the Emrick era.
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