Bonanza - just one of the many western themes going to be performed by the "All-American" Marching Band this Saturday. As stated in a previous post, Purdue will be paying tribute to Coach Joe Tiller by visiting the Old West in the show entitled, "Happy Trails to You, Joe Tiller." Buffalo Bill, Butch Cassidy, Black Bart. Cowboys, gunfights, saloons, alliterated names - what could be better?
In addition to the music, this week's drill focuses on the western theme. The band will start out with traditional drill (circular formations and diagonal lines) when playing the first selection, "How the West was Won." A set sure to be a crowd-pleaser is a quick ripple effect performed by the brass. In the second tune, "Western Drama," the dance teams are featured in the band's rendition of the "Can-Can" while the band marches into a stage formation. Throughout all of the show, "Happy Trails" will be used to transition from song to song. Finally, "Western Medley" features Joe Tiller. The band will form a sheriff star with the coach's initials and eventually spell out his name in the finale. Right before the final song is performed, the band comes to a climax by reenacting an Old West showdown. Two humongous stick figure cowboys will be created on the field by the band - ten-gallon hats, sheriff badges, guns, and all the trimmings any respectable cowboy would have. The storyline behind this drill is Sheriff Joe Tiller vs. our archenemy from Indiana University. The figures will face off on the field to the melodies of "Night on Bald Mountain" and the "William Tell Overture." Will Sheriff Tiller win the fight? Watch the halftime show to find out. To keep you tied over until then, check out this trailer from 1960 advertising "The Magnificent Seven" and enjoy the theme music. 
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