Working on Tech in the AAMB

Working on Project Emrick has been a unique opportunity to blend my technical interests with my passion for the All-American Marching Band. This student-led project is all about enhancing Purdue’s iconic light system, a piece of history dating back to the 1930s when Paul Spots Emrick, the band director and electrical engineer, first illuminated the band during performances. His innovation was one of Purdue's many "firsts," and now, more than 90 years later, we’re continuing his legacy with a new twist—making the lights programmable to change remotely in sync with the show.

For me, the project was a chance to get hands-on and engage with both the technical and creative sides of the band. One of my roles involved assembling the units for the new light system. I also had the exciting task of diving into software engineering.

 The fun part? Developing the Emrick Designer, a custom interface that allows the band to program the lights with intricate patterns for performances and parades. It’s incredible to see the lights change in sync with the music, all thanks to the interface we’ve built.

What made this experience truly special was being able to apply my technical skills to a project that enhances the band’s visual storytelling. Every piece I worked on contributed to the bigger picture—helping the AAMB shine brightly on the field, literally and figuratively. Project Emrick wasn’t just about programming lights; it was about breathing new life into a historic tradition and ensuring that Purdue’s legacy of innovation shines for generations to come.