Valpo High Alumni to march with the Purdue All-American Marching Band in Dublin St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Valpo-Alumni-March-Purdue-1Two Valpo High School graduates and current members of the Purdue All-American Marching Band, Kate Manning and Nicole Bianco, will be traveling with the world-renowned marching band in the St. Patrick's Day Parade held in Dublin, Ireland. The group will be spending their spring break touring through the Emerald Isle and will complete their journey with a march through the streets of Dublin. Departing March 10, the group lands in Shannon and heads east through Galway, the Ring of Kerry, Adare, Kenmare, Killarney, Cork, Kilkenny, and finally Dublin. The total number of people traveling in the group is 506 which includes band members and staff, Purdue faculty, parents, and alumni. For the first time in it's 91 year history, the famed Big Bass Drum will be traveling abroad with the band.

Both Kate and Nicole were both active members of the band at VHS and credit their success and love of music to their high school directors, Mr. Dan Pritchett and Mr. Miguel Rosario.

Valpo-Alumni-March-Purdue-2Kate, a baritone player, participated in the concert, jazz, and pep bands at Valpo, and served as Vice President her senior year. She is currently majoring in Aeronautical Engineering Technology and participates in the marching band, Concert Band, and Boiler Brass pep band at Purdue.

Nicole, a clarinet player, was involved in the concert and jazz bands at Valpo, and also served as a drum major during marching season. Nicole is majoring in Nutrition Sciences and participates in marching band, Concert Band, and the National Band Honor Fraternity Kappa Kappa Psi.

Both are very much looking forward to the opportunity to represent Purdue and to travel abroad with the entire Purdue band family.