BOB GRIFFITHS introduced Purdue’s Music Man, Bill Griffel, who gave us an update on Purdue Musical Organization. 
He began with a bit of his own background. Early years were spent in Onalaska, WI (near LaCrosse) where he sang in the LaCrosse Boys Choir for seven years and played football. He trained as an opera singer, received his MS at DePauw in Chicago and performed all over the world. A substitute teaching job at Loyola Academy led him to teaching full time. While at Franklin Central (near Indianapolis) he noticed that football players were not encouraged to sing. He volunteered to coach football to find singers and ended up changing the culture of the program. Football players can sing! In 2008 the opportunity to fill a vacancy at PMO presented itself. His training and belief system meshed perfectly with that taught in PMO activities.
Bill outlined the strategic plan for PMO, including recognition that students are students first; using their time wisely; attending to the success of students accademically (average GPA is 3.07); helping create a sense of family among the PMO groups; providing flexibility for students who have family events that conflict with performances; making sure students have opportunities to collaborate with other musical performing groups; supporting students financially; and offering more students the chance to participate in performing choirs, to mention a few. The Christmas Show is the certerpiece of the organization. It is attracting larger and younger audiences.
There is a concerted effort to re-engage with alumni and tremendous enthusiasm about their new home in Bailey Hall (corner of Grant Street and Northwestern Avenue), where no state funds were used. The grand opening will be in October and we are all invited to stop in and have a look around.
VISITING ROTARIANS:
GUESTS:
Sumedh Badve, son of SUPRIYA and SHRIKAANT BADVE and freshman at Purdue.
