Welcome back to the Chops blog! Today we’d like to take the chance to preview the new college football season and several of our local collegiate marching bands.

If you are a fan of the marching arts, it’s hard to beat Indiana. Between drum corps during the summer, marching band in the fall, and winter guard and percussion during the winter and spring, there’s rarely a break between marching seasons. However, it’s easy to forget that there are many great college marching bands in the state.

Butler, Purdue, Indiana, Indiana State, and Marian University are all located in, or within a short drive from Indianapolis, and have excellent marching bands. These bands will perform before, during, and after their school’s home football games throughout the fall and winter. For the relatively inexpensive price of a ticket you can see an exciting college football game and performances from the band.  Be sure to get there early for some tailgating, as most of the bands will perform outside the stadium before everyone heads inside!

The Butler University Marching Band will perform at five games this fall and one Bands of America Regional.
9/16 – vs. Taylor
9/30 – vs. Drake
10/6 – at BOA Dayton Regional
10/14 – vs. Jacksonville
10/21 – vs. Campbell (Homecoming)
11/11 – vs. Valparaiso (Family Weekend/Senior Day)

More information can be found at www.butler.edu/bands

The Indiana State University Marching Sycamores will perform five times this fall at upcoming games.
8/31 – vs. Eastern Illinois
10/7 – vs. North Dakota State
10/21 – vs. Southern Illinois (Homecoming)
11/4 – vs. Youngstown State
11/11 – vs. Western Illinois
More information can be found at sycamorebands.org/marching-sycamores

The Indiana University Marching Hundred will perform seven times at IU games this fall.
8/31 – vs. Ohio State

9/16 – vs. Florida International
9/23 – vs. Georgia Southern (Band Day)
10/14 – vs. Michigan (Homecoming)
11/4 – vs. Wisconsin
11/18 – vs. Rutgers
11/25 – at Purdue (Old Oaken Bucket game)
More information can be found at  indiana.edu/~bands/

The Marian University Marching Band will perform six times this fall at upcoming games.
9/9 – vs. Robert Morris
9/30 – vs. St. Francis
10/7 – vs. Saint Ambrose
10/14 – vs. Taylor
10/28 – vs. Siena Heights (Homecoming)
11/4 – vs. Missouri Baptist (Senior Day)
More information can be found at
marian.edu/college-of-arts-and-sciences/co-curricular-programs/marian-university-marching-band

The Purdue “All-American” Marching Band will perform at six upcoming games this fall.
9/2 – vs. Louisville (at Lucas Oil Stadium)
9/23 – vs. Michigan (Homecoming)
10/7 – vs. Minnesota (Band Day)
10/28 – vs. Nebraska
11/4 – vs. Illinois
11/25 – vs. Indiana (Senior Day, Old Oaken Bucket game)
More information can be found at www.purdue.edu/bands/ensembles/aamb/

Not sure which game to attend? We’d recommend the classic Indiana-Purdue rivalry game, the Old Oaken Bucket. Both school’s bands will be in attendance, and the in-state rivalry is an atmosphere you have to experience.

Don’t miss the opportunity to see an exciting football game and marching band performance this fall!