Alumni Blue Band Association ABBA News

2026 ABBA Board Meetings

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 13:07:16 GMT

All ABBA members are welcome to join our Board meetings. They are primarily held via Zoom, so simply email info@psualumnibands.org to request the link.

Meetings are currently scheduled for:

Sunday, April 26, 2026: 7p-9p

Sunday, July 12, 2026: 7p-9p

...and as soon as we know the Homecoming schedule for sure, we will confirm that date.

BLUE BAND ROCKS NYC IN A DIFFERENT WHITE OUT

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 14:00:00 GMT

BY CURT HARLER

It wasn’t a trip to balmy Florida or sunny Arizona. But when the Nittany Lions went to the frigid Pinstripe Bowl on December 27, 2025, the Blue Band heated up a frozen Yankee Stadium. The football team took down Clemson by a 22-10 score. And the marching Blue Band took home amazing memories despite not being able to march on the field either pre-game or at halftime.

Perhaps the Blue Band will remember their trip to New York City as a different kind of White Out game. Given the blizzard that struck Christmas week, it was amazing that the Blue Band got to NYC at all. Dr. Gregory Drane, director of athletic bands, spent much of his Christmas day reorganizing the trip. “It was interesting, to say the least,” Dr. Drane recalls.

Those ABBA members (like the author) old enough to recall the 1969 Orange Bowl trip will appreciate the upheaval that a State College snowstorm brings both for pre-trip practice plans and getting to the game. This year’s original plan called for a practice in State College before leaving for New York. That session was scrubbed.

The Blue Band got to New York safely and ate dinner; then the snow hit with a vengeance. Everyone was confined to the hotel. The musicians were supposed to rehearse in Yankee Stadium on the day of the game but the piles of snow put the kibosh on that. Eventually, the Band played from the stands. Fortunately, TV cameras gave the Blue Band lots of love during the game.

“The students understood the situation,” Dr. Drane says. “They made the best of it.” And their legacy certainly will be the “other” White Out game of the 2025 season.

Board Meeting

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 20:16:16 GMT

Happy New Year to all! Hope you enjoyed time off, visits with family and friends, and all the fun you could!

We have scheduled the Alumni Band Board meeting for Sunday, January 25th @ 7pm via Zoom.

Please reach out to president@psualumnibands.org for the link if you’d like to join us!

Holiday Store is OPEN - ABBA Merch

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Holiday Store is NOW OPEN!

Click here to buy (or go directly to https://www.storessimple.com/homefield/38861)

Please note the November 12 cutoff date to get your items mid-December!

Announcement Made Regarding the Blue Band Dedicated Practice Field

Sat, 25 Oct 2025 13:00:00 GMT

BY: LISA MARZKA

At this year’s Homecoming celebration, Dr. Drane (Director of the Marching Blue Band and Athletic Bands), Dean Carpenter (College of Arts and Architecture) and Dean Ott (College of Agricultural Sciences) jointly announced that the Dedicated Practice Field for the Penn State Blue Band is officially moving forward. This exciting milestone marks the beginning of a new era for the Blue Band. In the coming months, we’ll share more details, timelines, and ways to support the project through advocacy and philanthropy. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to the College of Arts and Architecture Blue Band Liaison Lisa Marzka at lisamarzka@psu.edu or 814-571-2930. Lisa, alongside the Blue Band development and alumni relations team, will be working with us on this project that will positively impact students and this program for years to come!

Homecoming 2025

Sat, 18 Oct 2025 13:00:00 GMT

BY: KATIE FRIST

This year’s Alumni Blue Band Association brought its spirit and sound to the heart of Penn State Alumni Association’s Homecoming 2025 celebrations at Pennsylvania State University’s University Park campus.

The weekend’s excitement kicked off on Friday, October 10, with the Ice Cream Social at the Hintz Family Alumni Center. ABBA also joined the parade along College Avenue, marching in the same tradition that brings together generations of Blue Band members and Penn State fans. On Saturday, October 11, 350+ Alumni Blue Band Association members took the field for both pregame and halftime to celebrate Finding the Glory in their Story during the game against Northwestern University.

A huge thank you to everyone who participated, volunteered, and helped make this year’s Homecoming a success. Your dedication to building on the legacy is unmatched.

Photos can be shared to homecoming@psualumnibands.org for future website and social media use.

Want to relive the weekend? Watch here!

Parade live stream: https://homecoming.psu.edu/live/

Pregame Performance: https://youtu.be/giVoQwTXi84?si=LsUkiMLl52g7IzE9

Halftime Performance: https://youtu.be/CGd4tXVl5P4?si=H36s934J8_o9kBUk

SAVE THE DATE!!!

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 12:00:00 GMT

SAVE THE DATE:

The 2026 Fore the Blue Band golf outing will tee off at the Penn State Golf Course on June 13, 2026. Appropriately, it will be on the Blue Course. Further details will be forthcoming early in 2026. The 2025 golf outing attracted 82 golfers and everyone had a great time (except for that one guy who kept slicing his ball into the far rough!). Hole sponsorships are available for 2026, too. See you there!

FTBBGT-01-SavetheDate.png

UPCOMING ABBA BOARD MEETING

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:00:00 GMT

BY: SERENA DAVANZO

The next meeting for the board will be on August 17th at 7pm.

There'll be discussions on a variety of things from performances ABBA did, to the golf tournament, to preparation for Homecoming, and more.

Board meetings are open to all ABBA members, please reach out to psu.abba.president@gmail.com if you'd like to join via Zoom.

BLUE BAND PLANS FOR 2025 HOME GAMES

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 13:31:10 GMT

BY: CURT HARLER

The 2025 Blue Band season is just about a month away with the Nittany Lion football team on the field between the Band’s pregame and halftime shows. In all seriousness, Dr. Greg Drane and the Blue Band staff have several amazing halftime programs set for home games this year. The musicians will be challenged.

"I’m eager to see what the band can whip up this year,” he says with excitement.

Keep in mind that the Blue Band literally starts anew each season. Dr. Drane and his team will know more as auditions at Band Camp are finalized. The block should be filled. “Numbers are looking good so far,” he adds.

As the calendar flips to August, music is being sent to arrangers and the Blue Band’s directors are designing drills and formations. The first show of the year at the game August 30 against Nevada will be “Karaoke,” a sing-along with fans in the stands. Exactly which numbers will be played is not yet set in stone but expect the program to feature a medley of popular songs through the years.

Next show is “The Evolution of Oz,” a musical look at the iterations of L. Frank Baum’s Wizard of Oz story including tunes from the original 1939 Judy Garland film; 1978’s The Wiz with Lena Horne, Diana Ross and Michael Jackson; and the 2003 Tony Award winning Wicked which originally starred Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Galinda, and Joel Grey as the Wizard. “It’s going to be a good one!” Dr. Drane says.

From there, the Blue Band goes “Higher, Faster, Louder.” This will reprise some of a 2017 halftime show which Dr. Drane says will feature “tunes that bands sound great doing.” The performance will include jazz numbers like Duke Ellington’s Caravan and a rip-roaring Louisiana Funk set. The show will wrap with Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

Once again, each Blue Band stadium performance will conclude with a post-game show and the students getting a post-game meal to replace calories and fluids lost through the afternoon. “You can’t believe how valuable a meal is for the students after a long game,” Dr. Drane says. “They don’t have to hunt down dinner and can go home fed and ready for their evenings.”

This year, the Blue Band will send a pep band to two of the Nittany Lions’s away games. However, if there is one blemish on the upcoming season it is that none of the visiting teams coming into Happy Valley will be able to bring their band to perform at halftime. “We are not hosting any bands due to the current stadium renovation,” Dr. Drane confirms. There simply will not be room for an additional several hundred attendees.

Upcoming ABBA Board Meetings

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 19:47:05 GMT

Board meetings are open to membership, please reach out to psu.abba.president@gmail.com if you'd like to join via Zoom.

Sunday, April 27th @ 7pm (Zoom)
Sunday, August 17 @ 7pm (Zoom)
Sunday, October 12 @ 10am (in person & Zoom)

COME HELP THE BLUE BAND CELEBRATE 125

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:30:00 GMT

BY CURT HARLER

The Blue Band is inviting the Alumni Blue Band to join them in celebrating our 125th anniversary. The Annual Blue Band Banquet takes on special meaning this year and the Blue Band has arranged for a limited number of alums to be a part of the party.

The Annual Banquet will be held at the Penn Stater Hotel on Sunday, April 6 at 7 pm.

“This is a special anniversary year for us,” says Blue Band Director Dr. Greg Drane. “The banquet is an opportunity to celebrate our 125 with the alumni.”

The students are arranging a special guest speaker.

Presently, there is room for 75 ABBA members (and guests) to attend. To secure your spot use the link below. Tickets can be purchased for $65 each. Of course, part of the ticket price goes to support Blue Band activities. These include such niceties as hand warmers and cups of hot chocolate served during the third quarter to ease the 11-degree temperatures at one playoff game. It also will help defray the cost of the post-game meals the Blue Band provides everyone after every game, home or away.

Whether it is the Annual Banquet or a football game, the Marching Blue Band is always hungry.

“There is lots going on during game days,” Dr. Drane says. “I like the students to have a hot meal when they leave the Blue Band Building.” There typically are sub sandwiches before the games so, rounded off with hot eats, the students’ nutritional needs are well met. “The students greatly appreciate it,” he adds. “Everyone is thankful.”

Not only is the Band’s 125th a great year in retrospect but it marks a watershed for the Band going forward. First year students had to handle back-to-back away bowl games. Dr. Drane says he is excited to see the level of experience those students will bring back to campus next year.

Registration Link: https://www.psualumnibands.org/event-6104154

BLUE BAND MAKES PLANS FOR POST-SEASON GAMES

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 15:29:28 GMT

By CURT HARLER

With the Nittany Lions on their way to post-season play, the Blue Band already is prepared to rock Beaver Stadium…and beyond. Things kick off when the #4 Nittany Lions host #10 SMU. The game is a White Out in Happy Valley at high noon, December 21st. The planning beyond that is tricky.

“There is a lot of logistics going on,” says Dr. Greg Drane, director of athletic bands in what might be the understatement of the year. “We are literally planning for four games – all the way to the national championships!”

Beat SMU in the first round and the Nittany Lions head to Arizona for the Fiesta Bowl. Win that and it’s on to the semi-finals at the Orange Bowl. And then…

Fortunately, the NCAA does help participating bands with accommodations and has reserved blocks of rooms for both bands all the way through to the National Championship.

SMU has informed Dr. Drane that they will be bringing their band for the first-round meeting at Beaver Stadium. “We are excited for that match-up,” Dr. Drane says. Penn State will reprise the oh-so-appropriate Winter Wonderland routine it did at the last game.

Let’s hope someone has told those Southern musicians about encountering stiff valves, sluggish slides, and the advantages of plastic mouthpieces in the frigid conditions they are apt to encounter at Beaver Stadium. Cold weather also changes pitch somewhat, tending to make brass instruments play sharp…an issue SMU is unlikely to experience at its home games in Dallas.

The Blue Band will do its NOLA Brass show at the Fiesta Bowl, so that will be another show that will have little learning curve for the musicians.

Still, the Blue Band practiced all of this past week, right up to the last day of classes. The SMU game comes at the end of finals week. Fortunately, residence halls will be open since graduation is on Sunday.

As if he were not busy enough, in the week before the SMU game, Dr. Drane was in Atlanta on December 13th judging the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Band of the Year national championship contest in Atlanta.

Meanwhile, Blue Band pep band musicians kept busy as the Women’s Volleyball Team made its run in the playoffs, starting with an impressive 3-1 win over #5 Marquette at Rec Hall to move to the Elite Eight. The Pep Band played on as the Lions beat #2 seed Creighton this past Sunday (12/15).

Of course, the men’s and women’s basketball squads will be playing, too. Dr. Drane says preliminary plans indicate that ABBA musicians will be called upon to help out at home games.

Meantime: GO STATE – BEAT SMU!

New scholarships reflect Blue Band alumni’s own experience in the band

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:36:17 GMT

Original article from psu.edu linked below

https://www.psu.edu/news/arts-and-architecture/story/new-scholarships-reflect-blue-band-alumnis-own-experience-band?utm_source=College%2BE-News%E2%80%94December%2B2024&utm_campaign=995811f753-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_09_24_02_17_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_2bc77c850e-995811f753-379966395

VOLUNTEERS FOR VIDEO TESTIMONIALS

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 03:15:27 GMT

By: Serena Davanzo

Hello ABBA,

The PR team for Blue Band is looking for for ABBA members who wish to join in a video for Giving Tuesday.

The video is about the legacy of the organization. You're asked to answer the question "How has Blue Band left a lifelong impact on you?"

If you wish to participate you can fill out the form below and submit your video.

The submission deadline is 11:59 PM on November 29th.

https://form.jotform.com/243244164660049

SIGN UP TO BE FEATURED ON OUR WEBSITE!

Thu, 14 Nov 2024 18:21:38 GMT

By: Serena Davanzo

Hi fellow ABBA members,

The communications team would like to start making monthly features of ABBA current members (musicians, silks, majorettes, drum majors, etc).

We have a variety of people in our organization who are from all walks of life. Everyone has a story about their life post graduation and we want to tell it.

When featured we want to also include pictures of you now and during your time at PSU.

If you're interested in our monthly feature, please fill out this form below. People will be randomly selected and reach out too.

Any questions feel free to reach out to me at serena.davanzo@yahoo.com.

https://forms.gle/F45Mv6Jm82GZFvWi8

ABBA BOARD SEEKS MEMBERS

Sun, 27 Oct 2024 23:38:04 GMT

BY CURT HARLER

The Alumni Blue Band association is looking for seven candidates to run for positions as directors for the upcoming election. If you are interested, you’re asked to self nominate on or before November 15th at elections@psualumnibands.org.

Your candidate statement should include the following:

Name
City, State
Years at Penn State, Degree(s), Other Degrees, Licenses, etc. as appropriate.
Years in the Band, Instrument, Groups (Marching, Pep Band, POTL, etc.).
Experience in Blue Band and Alumni Band participation, leadership, and relevant experience in similar organizations.
Brief statement as to why you want to be on the Board, how do you envision yourself contributing to ABBA and the current Penn State Athletic Bands program.

Directors serve a three-year term, starting in January 2025. Most quarterly meetings are via Zoom and take between 60- 90 minutes. ABBA members who graduated in the past 10 years are encouraged to apply as they are the most underrepresented group on the board.

The next scheduled meeting of the AABA Board will be a virtual Zoom meeting. It's slated for Sunday, January 12th, 2025 at 8:00pm Eastern time. All ABBA members are welcomed to attend this or any other board meeting, although voting is limited to elected board members. Among key business items will be the election of a new Board President to a two-year term (Randy Seely, who has done yeoman work leading ABBA, has reached his term-limit ceiling and is moving off the board).

ABBA EVENTS

Sat, 26 Oct 2024 13:04:47 GMT

Penn State basketball will face the Indiana Hoosiers on January 5, 2025 at the Palestra in Philadelphia. Expect an announcement on a pep band for the event (the Blue Band likely will be supporting the Nittany Lion Football Team at a prestigious bowl game).
The annual Knoebel’s Penn State Day event is slated for Saturday, June 14, 2025. Look for a pep band announcement soon.
Golfers and golf fans should mark down June 21, 2025 (the Saturday following Knoeblel’s) for the annual Fore the Glory golf tournament at Penn State. Participation – both as sponsors and as players – is open to everyone.

Blue Band's 125th Anniversary

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:12:34 GMT

On the occasion of the Blue Band's 125th Anniversary, the band has received several letters and messages of support. You can view the letters and video message below.

Letter from Dr. Ann Marie Stanley, Director School of Music

Letter from University President Neeley Bendapudi

Video Greeting from the College of Arts and Architecture

Happy 50th Anniversary, SILKS!

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 22:05:09 GMT

By Ned C. Deihl

It’s the 50^th birthday for the PSU Silks! Thinking back 50 years it seems like a long time has passed but also feels like just a few years ago.

In the early 70s after a few years of tweaking, the totally revamped PSU pregame was solidly in place. The Floating LIONS was becoming the Blue Band’s downfield trademark and we wanted to dress up the band. The flags would front the band entering down the field and would then serve as a background for the formations. They would add a bit of color to the all-male band, waving high above the band.

The flag-carrying Blue Banders hadn't qualified for playing a horn but had to be very good marchers, of course: "pick 'em up"!! A few trombonists were understandably unhappy when they found they were no longer the front line on the downfield block. I know how exhilarating it is to march out front as I did at Miami of Ohio when our band paraded through town before each home game -- with clarinets in the front rank.

My wife Jan made the first Blue Band flags (a la Betsy Ross?), spending many hours on the floor cutting and hemming the three-foot by seven-foot flags. She bought the materials from an outlet in Altoona, choosing shimmering satin-finish fabric in differing colors to represent the school colors of the various opponents in Penn State's schedule. We purchased their long wooden dowel poles from O.W. Houts. Now, the PSU silks are all blue but we have other opponents’ flags hanging in the huge band room -- adding new ones to the Big Fourteen?

Later, flags were called "silks,” perhaps due to drum corps influence. Their poles are now lightweight aluminum and the colors are all blue and white. With those changes, flag twirling with intricate routines has become a big part of the Blue Band half-time shows.

Typically, the Blue Band marches a full block of silks with 30 on-field performers. But just as the Blue Band has grown in numbers, so too the silks might grow in numbers sometime in the future.

For now, it’s HAPPY 50^th to the Silks. Here’s looking at 50 years more.

Clothing Order

Fri, 26 Jul 2024 16:49:01 GMT

Official ABBA Merchandise is available for order NOW! See the flyer below for more information then click here to shop.

Penn State Blue Band - Alumni Fall Promo Flyer 2024.pdf

Band Together Benefitting THON

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 09:50:06 GMT

Dear ABBA,

We stand TODAY! We would like to introduce our three dancers: Carson Pedaci, Justin

Kim, and Jocelyn Hibbard. Justin is a 4th year trombone in Blue Band. Jocelyn is a second year piccolo in Blue Band. Carson is a third year mellophone in Blue Band and currently our drum major. WE ARE so excited for them to have the opportunity to participate in THON 2024 in such a meaningful way. Please see the following three links if you are interested in donating directly to their individual participant DonorDrive pages.

Jocelyn

Carson

You can also donate directly to Band Together’s DonorDrive page!

Just like last year, we have the amazing privilege of hosting an adventure for the THON Explorer’s program. We have three families signed up, but have an open door policy for more families to come be part of our adventure. THON families will be coming to the Blue Band Building and getting to spend a day as a Penn State athletic band member. Members of Blue Band, Pride of the Lions pep bands (fall and spring), and Hockey Band will be present to provide an immersive experience for families and kids.

As always, we appreciate your support and donations. Our organization is successful because of donors like you. This year, we hope to surpass last year’s fundraising total of $32,000. All proceeds benefit THON. Please consider donating this weekend!

FTK!

Sincerely,

Justin Kim and Katie Baker

Overall Chairs, Band Together Benefitting THON

Save the Date

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 23:29:58 GMT

2024 ABBA Board of Directors

Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:27:12 GMT

Welcome to our newest Board members:

John Rohrbach

Jim Westlake

Curt Harler

A huge thank you to these board members who have fulfilled their two consecutive terms:

Becky Burley (Communications chair)

Matt Gregory (Secretary)

Aaron Magano (Membership chair)

The rest of this year's board members are as follows:

Elizabeth Beckman - Nemenz

Brett Butler - Historian / Golf Tournament Committee

Rachel Harvey

John Kovalchik

Larry Parko

Mark Poblete

Charles Robey - Secretary

Kevin Sobalcik - Interim Homecoming Chair

Aaron Terranova

Marv Walton

Jim Westlake - Performances

Lynn Yingling - A&A Alumni Board chair

Non-voting members include

Randy Seely - President (president@psualumnibands.org)

Doug Czekaj - Past Treasuer - Accounts Payable

Judy Seely - Treasurer

If you have any topics of discussion you'd like the board to address, send an email to either info@psualumnibands.org or president@psualumnibands.org).

Board meetings are held at least quarterly - in person at least once a year and virtually. We are always looking for volunteers who are not on the board, including for the Golf Tournament in June and Homecoming in the fall. There are many opportunities to serve, so please reach out if you are interested.

BLUE BAND STORMS ATLANTA

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:12:06 GMT

By CURT HARLER

The Penn State Nittany Lions made their first appearance in the Peach Bowl in Atlanta and the Blue Band rocked the city.

For current Blue Band members, the trip was different in many ways. “Performing in an indoor NFL stadium was a new and exciting experience that proved to be very different from performing in Beaver Stadium,” says Blue Band Vice President Cara Arnoldi. She is the Band’s president-elect.

The Blue Band’s performance pre-game that afternoon at Mercedes-Benz Stadium was every bit as classy as the car. Marching out for pre-game was – quite literally – breathtaking. “I was thinking what I always think: "Yay! Oh, my goodness! It’s pregame time!" and "Man, I'm going to be breathing heavily after this one!" Arnoldi recalls. Since Blue Band did not have time to stop for the National Anthem or the Alma Mater, pre-game was a fast-paced and exciting performance.

Blue Band President Evan Linkimer, Beaver, PA agrees about the focus. “While each pregame is unique in its own sense, from my perspective performing a pregame at the Peach Bowl or Rose Bowl is not very different from performing in Beaver Stadium,” he feels. “We’re all so focused on marching our spots and hitting every note and step just right to show that, whether home or away, the Blue Band puts on an excellent show.” Blue Band members agree that the atmosphere in Mercedes Benz Stadium was unreal. “Seeing the size of the stadium from the perspective of the field for the first time truly took my breath away and let me appreciate the opportunity of where I was,” says Linkimer. He is a fourth year mellophone player majoring in international politics.

The trip was the first ever to a Peach Bowl for the Nittany Lions. Although the Lions lost to the Ole Miss Rebels 38-25, the Blue Band went home winners.

It is not quite true that every thoroughfare in Atlanta has the word “peach” in somewhere. Still, Blue Band members were just about as ubiquitous, including a gig at the Aquarium and the pep rallies. Linkimer says the Peach Bowl brought excitement with a new city to explore and Bowl events to participate in.

“Performing within Mercedes Benz Stadium was a unique experience that not even the Rose Bowl can provide,” he says.

The audience engaged with the Blue Band’s halftime selections. The HipHop show had tunes that resonated with alumni and students. There was something for everyone in the stadium. “Even when performing our stand tunes, the ‘student section’ appeared to enjoy our selections,” Arnoldi says. A third-year baritone from Chalfont, PA, she has a dual major in communications and political science through the Schreyer Honors College.

“The crowd loved our halftime show,” Linkimer agrees. Traveling with its HipHop Show to the Peach Bowl allowed the Blue Band to showcase an excellent display of its musical abilities. “The crowd seemed shocked at the power and intensity of our music and the stadium allowed our sound to take over the audience,” he remembers.

One memorable part of the trip for Arnoldi was watching Blue Band Drum Major Carson Pedaci rock a dance battle with a band member from the Pride of the South who happened to be the Homecoming King from Ole Miss. “It's fun to be able to engage with the other team's band members, even from across the stadium,” she says.

“Whenever I perform in any setting, I am always grateful for the opportunity, thinking of my parents and sister watching,” Arnoldi says. Her parents played Sousaphone and trumpet in the Blue Band; her sister played mellophone, and a younger sibling will try out next year for Blue Band. Linkimer, too, is a second-generation Blue Band member.

The trip home was epic – the flight was disrupted due to problems with the passenger manifest followed by mechanical issues. Shades of the five-hour delay on the way back from last year’s Rose Bowl! This time, the Band had to spend an extra night in Atlanta and did not get home to Harrisburg until around 8pm on New Year's Day.

HOMECOMING DATES

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:10:31 GMT

Mark the weekend of September 28 on your calendar for the Alumni Blue Band’s 2024 Homecoming events. Typically, there is an ABBA gig at the ice cream social at the Hintz Alumni Center on Friday afternoon and the parade Friday night. The game is on Saturday. This year, the Nittany Lions will take on Illinois for its Homecoming game on the 28^th.

Stay tuned for details on all the activities – including an opportunity to get rid of your old, yellowing ABBA jacket and buy a new one…along with other cool ABBA merchandise (there might even be some 125^th Anniversary items…stay tuned!).

BLUE-WHITE GAME PLANS

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:07:46 GMT

Written by Curt Harler

The Nittany Lions football team will hold its annual Blue-White inter-squad game on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Admission is free. A group of Alumni Blue Band members will provide music and excitement for the A&A Tailgate crowd. Bring your horn and get a preview of Coach Franklin’s 2024 squad. Find all the details on our event calendar.

ABBA WINS ENTHUSIASM AWARD

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 10:05:17 GMT

The 2023 Homecoming Parade’s “Most Enthusiastic Award” went to the Penn State Alumni Blue Band. ABBA President Randy Seely (left) displays the certificate which came with a cash award. Those funds will be donated to the Blue Band’s Legacy Fund. Joining Randy at the post-parade presentation, and still exuding enthusiasm, were Curt Harler and Scott Anderson.

December 2022: Give to Support the Touch of Blue

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:54:41 GMT

Support the Touch of blue Program Fund

Help celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Touch of Blue! The purpose of this fund, established by Beth Christina, is to enrich the Penn State Blue Band by providing program support for the Touch of Blue Majorettes. Funding will provide resources to the whole troupe and will be available for Dr. Drane and his team to spend as needed.

Click here to give!

Dr. Drane to host Alumni Association trip to Paris

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 12:38:22 GMT

November 2022 Update from Band Together THON

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:01:31 GMT

Dear ABBA,

We want to thank you for all of your support during the Dream Forward campaign that wrapped up in the beginning of November to celebrate 100 days until THON 2023! We had a successful fundraising campaign and are extremely grateful for your donations and support. There will be more matching opportunities in the coming weeks. On Tuesday, November 29th, Band Together would like to invite you to participate in Giving Tuesday! Once again, starting at 8am, every third donation up to $100 will be matched 1:1 until funds run out. There will also be a specific alumni matching hour, which should be communicated to alumni by THON directly. Please use the link below to donate! We thank you in advance for your support on Giving Tuesday. https://donate.thon.org/?fuseaction=donorDrive.event&eventID=3015

November was a busy but successful month for our organization. We look to get more involved with our families this year, and we were pleased to be able to put together family mail for our families. In addition to sending cards, we packed up some PSU accessories and notes to send before the Maryland game. Since our families are often unable to make a trip to University Park to be with us, we wanted to send them something that made them feel like they could be there with us. We are grateful for the opportunity to support our families in any way we can.

In November we also hosted our annual fundraiser called “Coin Wars,” where members compete by rank in the band to raise money for THON. For each rank, members can donate coins that count towards their total, but other ranks can sabotage them by placing bills in another rank’s container. In past years, this fundraiser was successful, but we never imagined how successful it was going to be this year. We raised over $700 in coins and bills combined, all of which is donated directly to THON. It was a lot of fun to watch people interact and engage with this 3 week long fundraiser.

After an emotional senior day and our last day in Beaver Stadium for the season, a group of 15 Blue Band and Band Together members got together to participate in the recycling clean up efforts in Beaver Stadium. It was great to spend time together. We want to thank the Sustainability Institute at Penn State for this opportunity.

It was a great month, but now we are looking forward to the upcoming Winter Break and the few months left leading up to THON 2023! We have a long way to go to reach our fundraising goals, but we are off to an incredible start. Thank you for your continued support of Band Together Benefitting THON!

Sincerely,

Justin Kim & Katie Baker

2022-2023 Band Together Co-Overall Chairs

October Update from Blue Together Benefitting THON

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 00:45:54 GMT

Dear ABBA,

The year is fast underway, and we are off to a great start for fundraising for THON 2023. After holding a few general meetings, we have gotten our members set up in Donor Drive and we have also been more involved in the broader THON crediting opportunities. Soon, we will be holding our annual Coin Wars Benefitting THON and selling Blue Band Calendars. We hope to hold more events in November when the semester starts to wind down.

With that, we would like to tell you a bit about our families for this year. We have been placed with two families this year: the Kayla Nakonechni family and the Dami Schmehl family. Kayla was a Penn State student and, after being diagnosed with cancer after dancing in THON, she graduated college and sadly passed away on October 14, 2015. We celebrated her with a Purple Out at Blue Band, since her favorite color was purple. Dami Schmehl was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 2012, but last year she was told that it is unlikely that it will ever return. We hope to support both of our families by sending cards, care packages, and even potentially visiting them!

We hope to begin building a community within our organization and getting more involved together. We would like to raise the importance of our family relations chairs, as the job they do is very important. We want to remain focused on our families. We recently had the whole band sign a card that was then sent to the Nakonechni family. These are the types of things we hope to be able to do for THON families. Although fundraising is one of the most important parts of THON, we hope to also provide kids and families special opportunities here at Penn State. We have agreed to participate in the THON Explorer’s program. This will hopefully allow us to give THON families an opportunity to explore Penn State outside of the BJC during THON weekend. We hope to provide them with a meaningful and lasting experience from the Blue Band family.

We would like to invite you to fundraise with us by sharing the Blue Band’s DonorDrive page with you. Using this link, you can donate directly to Blue Band Benefitting THON. Please note that your donation is benefitting THON through Blue Band’s organization. Thank you for your continued support of Band Together Benefitting THON!

Sincerely,

Justin Kim & Katie Baker

2022-2023 Band Together Co-Overall Chairs

Save the date: Homecoming 2022: One Community, Forever A Home

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 13:07:56 GMT

October 21-22, 20Join us this October as we celebrate Penn State Homecoming with the Alumni Blue Band!

Registration will open on Tuesday, September 6th at 7:00am EST and will close Wednesday, September 21st at 11:59pm EST. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept any registrations after this cut-off date.

The cost to participate in Homecoming this year, including your ticket for the Homecoming football game, will be $115 per person.

Be sure to add homecoming@psualumnibands.org to your address book to avoid important communications going to your "Spam" or "Junk Mail" folder!

IMPORTANT REMINDER:

With the transition to the Penn State Alumni Association’s new unified membership model, you no longer need to renew your membership in the Alumni Blue Band Association in order to be eligible to participate in Homecoming. Access to ABBA communications and events is now included in your Alumni Association membership! Visit the Alumni Association for more information about this change.

Not a member of the Penn State Alumni Association? Click here to learn more about all the benefits you’re missing!

NEW FOR HOMECOMING 2022:

We are excited to make your Homecoming experience even better this year with these enhancements! More details will be shared regarding each of these changes in the near future.

Post Parade Reception - New Location!

We are excited to bring our traditional post-parade reception closer to the end of the parade route this year! We will gather at the Music Building’s Esber Rehearsal Hall following the parade, just a short walk from the Nittany Lion Shrine. Come see the School of Music’s beautiful new space, enjoy some refreshments, and catch up with your fellow Blue Band alumni!

Keep Your Folio!

The Homecoming Committee is furthering its efforts to be more sustainable, decrease cost, and reduce the burden on our volunteers and the Blue Band staff. This year, you will keep your music and folio at the end of Homecoming weekend. (That's right: no more tracking down plastic bins on the field at postgame!) Bring your folio back for Homecoming next year and get a discount on your registration!

New to Homecoming? Haven’t marched in a while? Need a refresher?

For those who are new to ABBA, or just haven’t back back for Homecoming in a while, read on to learn about all the events you can participate in throughout the weekend!

What does my registration include?

Game ticket (please note that due to capacity constraints, only confirmed Homecoming participants will be permitted in the Alumni Blue Band seating area: family and friends will need to secure tickets elsewhere in the stadium)
Opportunity to participate in the Homecoming parade
Opportunity to participate in the Ice Cream Social
Friday night post-parade reception
Transportation between the O. Richard Bundy Blue Band Building and Holuba Hall on Saturday morning
Pregame rehearsal at Holuba Hall led by Director of Athletic Bands Dr. Greg Drane
Instrument rentals for certain sections (NOTE: instruments cannot be guaranteed and are subject to availability - only sousaphones, baritones, mellophones, and percussion will be available)
Use of equipment for band front members
Music folios and drill charts
A contribution to the Penn State athletic bands program on behalf of each participant
The opportunity to "relive the glory days", reconnect with fellow Blue Band alumni and friends, make new connections with alumni and current Blue Band students, and take the field during pregame and halftime of the Homecoming game

What do the Homecoming weekend events entail?

Hintz Family Alumni Center Ice Cream Social Pep Band

The Alumni Association kicks off Homecoming activities on Friday afternoon with its annual ice cream social at the Hintz Family Alumni Center. This event takes place in the afternoon. ABBA participants play one or two sets for the crowd, and get to enjoy free Berkey Creamery ice cream and socialize.

Homecoming Parade

Relive the magic of marching down College Ave as the crowds cheer in this time-honored Penn State tradition on Friday night. Uniform is blue shirt/jacket and jeans, and we play the traditional Penn State fight songs throughout the parade route (music will be provided to those who need it).

Post-Parade Social

After marching in the parade, make your way over to the Music Building and join us for a reception in the Esber Rehearsal Hall. Enjoy the School of Music’s beautiful space, enjoy some refreshments, and catch up with your fellow Blue Band alumni.

Rehearsal at Holuba Hall (Time TBD)

Meet at Holuba Hall on Saturday morning to rehearse. Run through music, and learn the pregame and halftime drills.

Game Day (Kickoff 7:30PM ET)

Join us in Beaver Stadium as we take the field for pregame, halftime, and postgame! Play some of your favorite stands tunes and enjoy being together with your Blue Band family. Uniform is a white shirt/sweatshirt/jacket. Game tickets and field credentials are provided during rehearsal at Holuba Hall.

Do I have to participate in everything?

No! You are welcome to participate in as much or as little of Homecoming weekend as you like. If you want to participate in the game, you MUST pay the full registration fee and attend the Saturday rehearsal at Holuba to receive your game ticket and field credentials. This includes individuals who wish to join the Alumni Band and play from the stands, but not necessarily take the field for pregame, halftime, or postgame.

Those who do NOT want to participate in the game, and only want to march in the parade and/or play at the ice cream social, do NOT need to pay the registration fee. More info will be provided in the upcoming registration email.

QUESTIONS?

Please keep in mind that the committee is still in the early phases of planning this year's event, and details are subject to change. We will do our best to communicate any changes as soon as possible. At this time, we do not have details or information regarding guest tickets or game day parking. We are also awaiting confirmation of game day rehearsal timing and will communicate those plans as soon as we are able.

If you have any other questions, please contact the Homecoming committee.

We look forward to seeing you at Homecoming 2022!

Raise the Song!

Mark Poblete, Homecoming Co-Chairperson

Carol Poblete, Homecoming Co-Chairperson and Volunteer Coordinator

Randy Seely, ABBA President

COVID-19 Risk Acknowledgement:

The Pennsylvania State University requires adherence to its policies at all times while on Penn State property or attending University events. Penn State has issued rules and precautions which follow, or may in some cases exceed, guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. By registering to participate in Homecoming weekend activities with the Alumni Blue Band Association, you agree to adhere to such guidance and policies, you acknowledge the risk of being exposed to or infected by COVID-19, and you assume any and all such risk.

As of July 7, 2022, this guidance includes basic health, safety, and sanitation measures (staying home when sick, washing/sanitizing hands often, etc.) in addition to wearing a face mask while in healthcare facilities and certain research facilities and labs.

Per CDC guidance, Penn State may impose additional or alternative requirements, including masking at certain locations, depending on community spread in Centre County and at the University Park campus. You agree to comply with any directive from Penn State representatives regarding masking or other mitigation measures while participating in any events hosted by the Alumni Blue Band Association on campus.

You must adhere to these protocols regardless of vaccination status.

DR. BUNDY HOSTS REUNION OF 60s-70s BLUE BAND MEMBERS

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:08:03 GMT

Dr. Dick Bundy introduces a man who needed no introduction to Marching Blue Band members from the early 70s: Dr. Ned C. Deihl, Deihl is the Director who designed The Floating LIONS. To his left is wife Janette.

By CURT HARLER

A half-century ago, Dr. O. Richard Bundy was marching with a trombone. He became the assistant in the Marching Blue Band. Later, he became Director. This year, he came up with a wonderful idea: invite back to an informal reunion all of those who marched in the 1967-1973 era.

The event drew a slew of alums on June 18. Some attended as part of the 50^th We Are… Class Reunion Weekend. Others just showed up to see old friends, to swap stories and memories. All were treated to big-screen videos of the 1968-72 Blue Band on the field. Everyone pointed to themselves in the block. Due to the age of the films (yes, it was film back in the day, now converted to DVD), there was no sound. But, darn, we all looked good and hit our marks!

Trombone players Tom Little, foreground; Alan Wood in blue sweater; and Dr. Bundy in suit coat admire the performance trombones available to today’s Blue Band members. Musicians also are assigned practice horns. Back in the day, it was BYO instrument. Today, even the mouthpieces on both the lower and upper brass are uniform.

Recent grads should note that the women in the photos here are spouses…back then there were no women in the Marching Blue Band. In fact, 120 male musicians took the field to perform in front of sell-out crowds of 50,000 fans at Beaver Stadium. The Blue Band did an on-field heart transplant (to “The Beat Goes On”) and even “kicked” a football as part of a drill. There were Gator Bowl, Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl trips. There were stories of Dr. Jim Dunlop threatening to shave, with a dry razor, anyone who showed up with facial hair or hair that touched their collar.

John Rumancik, clarinet, reminisces about his era in the Blue Band. In the background, video of a 1971 Marching Blue Band’s halftime show plays.

In addition to the camaraderie of the event, attendees were treated to a full tour of the Blue Band Building. We saw the beautiful suites of performance and practice instruments available to today’s Blue Band. We got a look behind the scenes at the offices and locker rooms. We were regaled by Dr. Bundy with the history of the Blue Band and saw the original cornet owned by George H. Deike. That instrument was hanging on Deike’s dorm room in 1899 when it was noticed by a ROTC officer who asked him to play at drills…the original on-field performances by Penn State musicians. The rest, as they say, is history. Those who marched 50-55 years ago were gratified to recount their roles in that history and to know the legacy is being passed along a half-century after they came out of the tunnel.

Sadly, there were no chocolate chip cookies distributed on reunion day at the Blue Band Building. Otherwise it was a wonderful event. Cheers to Dr. Bundy and to the alums who participated.

The Marching Blue Band is now housed is a great facility, the O. Richard Bundy Blue Band Building. Over the years, the Blue Band sheltered big instruments in a semi-trailer. Practices were on open fields…rain or shine, snow or missed dining hall hours.

ABBA GOLF OUTING RAISES $7000

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 12:03:18 GMT

By Curt Harler

The Alumni Blue Band’s 4^th Annual “Fore the Glory” golf outing was a rousing success (if one forgets the bogeys recorded by certain golfers!).

The outing raised $7,000 for the Blue Band Legacy Fund, according to event co-chair Doug Czekaj. In the four years the outing has been held golfers made contributions totaling over $47,000 to the Blue Band Legacy Fund.

“Fortunately, we had nice weather for this year’s event, even if it was slightly windy for golf,” Doug says.

The Penn State Golf Course staff again did a wonderful job hosting the event on the Blue Course and at the Pavilion.

There were 71 golfers on the links and another 10 people joined the festivities just for dinner following the golf activities.

“We appreciate Blue Band Director Greg Drane, the current Blue Band members, and the Alumni volunteers who helped to make the day of the event so successful,” Doug says.

Dr. Drane is equally thankful. “It is absolutely awesome that the event was re-formed post-Covid,” he says. “The Blue Band is very grateful for the support we get from the alums.” As the tradition is reinstated, both attendance and the support for the Blue Band should increase.

Below is a list of the winners of the various prizes at Fore the Glory:

1^st Place Foursome: Peter Sides, Jason Sandonato, Brad Eargle, Gabriel Wagaman (Score of 59)

2^nd Place Foursome: David Uhazie, Lori Uhazie, Ken Duke, Jane Duke (Score of 62)

Most Honest Golfers: Michael Kirk, Robert Meade, Joshua Tonkel, Anthony Stem

Men’s Longest Drive: Jason Sandonato

Women’s Longest Drive: Sydney Eckert

Closest to the Pin Winners: Hole 8 - Rick Miller (10' 3") and Hole 17 - Rick Miller (17' 5")

The event supports the Blue Band Legacy Fund. A complete program outlined the history of the tournament, the story of the Legacy Fund, listed all the participants and the sponsors of the event.

The ABBA Golf Committee is run by Randy Seely, Brett Butler, Josh Helsley, Matt Wagner and Doug Czekaj.

“We are so thankful for all of our sponsors of the event, without whom our event would not be as successful,” Doug concludes.

LISTEN UP! BLUE BAND HEADED TO AUBURN, NEW LOOK AT HOMECOMING

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 11:59:31 GMT

BY CURT HARLER

The Blue Band is headed to Auburn, Alabama for the huge Big10-SEC showdown on September 17 as the Auburn Tigers take on our Nittany Lions. This is not just a road trip, not just an overnight trip…the Blue Band will spend two full nights in Atlanta, Georgia as part of the festivities.

The first day will have a recruiting flavor as the Blue Band performs for high school musicians in the Atlanta area. The next day, they will bus 100 miles Southwest down I-85 to Auburn for the game.

“The athletic department was extremely supportive about us going,” says Dr. Greg Drane, director of athletic bands. It helped that Coach James Franklin was outspoken about wanting the Blue Band there to support the team as the Nittany Lions invade SEC country.

The Blue Band’s halftime show on the natural Bermudagrass turf at Auburn’s Jordan-Hare Stadium will feature Latin music. And there is no doubt that the expected 87,500 fans will be rocking. Not quite as exciting is the bill Dr. Drane anticipates receiving as a result of the Blue Band’s travel expenses. “It will be a significant cost to go to Auburn,” he notes. Donations to the Blue Band to support the trip are appreciated.

HOMECOMING NEWS

For ABBA members, Homecoming is the red-letter (blue-and-white letter?) date on each year’s calendar. This year’s Homecoming performance will feature a twist. Look for both the Blue Band and the Alumni Blue Band to share the field for the halftime show.

While the norm has been for ABBA to perform after the Blue Band does its seven minutes at halftime, this time the Homecoming crowd will be treated to the full impact of both bands shaking the stands in unison. And did you recall that the October 22 homecoming game against Minnesota is a White Out?

One of the reasons a joint show is possible is the digital drill software which both bands will have access to at Homecoming (the Blue Band has it every week). The software simplifies charting and makes it easier for both ABBA and regular band members to find their marks. Eventually, ABBA also will get its music digitally, downloadable to cell phones. ABBA will need to get special lyres for cell phones. The Blue Band has them now.

Back to current events, the Blue Band’s season will start with them storming out of the tunnel for the 2022 home opener September 10 against Ohio University. Look for the normal complement of 305-320 musicians to be high-stepping in Beaver Stadium. The music theme at the OU game will be Blockbuster Hits, featuring show tunes from the best of recent movies.

ABBA Year in Review

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:31:45 GMT

By Randy Seely

ABBA President

After the year that many of us have had, I’m not sure that reviewing the year is in our best interest. On the other hand, there were a lot of positives this year, and maybe as we look back, these are the things that will stand out.

At the beginning of 2021, the board was looking at a few serious issues. Our membership was declining, our technology platform was not meeting our needs, and it appeared at the time that we would not be participating in Homecoming once again.

However, as the year progressed, we started to see some improvements in all these areas. Our technology committee (thanks Becky Burley, Doug Czekaj, and Mark Poblete) began an investigation into new platforms. We were able to find one that suits our organization much better, allowing us to bring what once was a conglomeration of different platforms under one umbrella. Special thanks also to Jon Ford for his help in assisting with this transition.

We also got word that we would be able to participate in Homecoming. Although this would look very different than in past years, we began planning for the event. Julia Stack and her committee once again planned for a Virtual 5K to support the Blue Band Legacy Fund. And once the new platform was operational and our membership saw that there would indeed be a Homecoming this year, our membership numbers improved. Homecoming itself was very different than it has been in year’s past, but with the reduced number of participants and other protocols that were in place, the event was conducted as safely as it could be. Special thanks to all who helped volunteer, especially the Homecoming Committee – Mark and Carol Poblete, Julia Stack, and Johanna Steinbacher. The committee wanted me to note that we appreciated all of the feedback, and are already in discussions to improve the experience for next year.

As the year now draws to a close, despite all the challenges, we managed to end the year on a positive note. Between the Virtual 5K and our Homecoming donation, we were able to contribute over $32,000 to the Blue Band Legacy Fund.

We have begun planning for next year’s Fore the Blue Band Golf Tournament, sadly missed the last two years. (Save the date – June 18, 2022!) Our hope for the next year is that we will be able to continue to grow as an organization and provide our membership with more opportunities to get together as we return to what we believe will be a greater sense of normalcy.

ABBA Board Elections

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 10:29:01 GMT

By Randy Seely

ABBA President

Each year, the Alumni Blue Band Association holds elections for seats on our Board of Directors. This year, there are a total of seven seats up for election. We have four incumbent board members who have expressed interest in remaining on the board, but a few others will be stepping down. I would personally like to thank Casey Hesse, Lee Shaw, and Tom Range for the time they have spent working for ABBA. Their efforts are varied, but all have had an impact in one way or another.

If you are interested in serving on the board, please reach out to Kevin Sabolcik and the elections committee at elections@psualumnibands.org by December 21.

In your email, please include

· the years you were in the Blue Band

· instrument/position

· degrees earned

· current residence

· any relevant ABBA/other alumni group experience

· a short write-up on why you are seeking a seat on the Board.

The Board meets approximately four times a year, which we have been doing virtually, so you do not need to physically be present in State College.

There is the additional opportunity to be involved in one of our committees, but no requirement to do so. It is the Board’s goal to have diversity within our representation – particularly with regards to graduation years.

Additionally, we are still looking for someone to step in as treasurer to replace Doug Czekaj. This person will need some accounting experience and be familiar with generally accepted accounting procedures.

We will be conducting the election at the beginning of January, with the hope to have our new members seated at our (virtual) board meeting Sunday, January 23, 2022.

Daily Collegian Features Virtual 5K

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 09:29:18 GMT

Click to read the article published in the Daily Collegian.

Blue Band Expands Staff

Sat, 07 Aug 2021 22:37:11 GMT

By Curt Harler

The Blue Band will hire a new Assistant Director in the near future. The search process for the position should start shortly.

Meantime, the Blue Band plans to add three new graduate assistants. Two will be from the Conducting Studio and one will be a percussion student instructor. The two conducting spots will be a combined effort with the new Director of Concert Bands, allowing the positions to be leveraged across both programs.

The percussion position is in cooperation with the School of Music and will provide a graduate student to assist with the drumline.