Bean noted that twirling isn't just a fall activity for the team. In addition to the national championships, squad members bring their Penn State pride to numerous events, clinics and competitions, some of which involve twirlers from across the U.S. and around the world. For example:
-- In February the squad will travel to Walt Disney World in Orlando to compete for the first time, individually and as a team, against other top teams in the nation at the TwirlMania International Championships. TwirlMania is a competition for soloist, teams, corps, high schools, universities and recreational groups in the athletic arena of baton twirling, auxiliary units, pompon and dance.
-- Also in February, Touch of Blue will appear at THON -- the 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon -- to help teach the dancers during the Penn State Pride hour and perform at the pep rally. THON will be held the weekend of Feb. 21-23.
-- May 3 and 4 brings the Fifth Annual Blue Sapphire Classic national baton competition to Rec Hall. The fundraising event draws hundreds of in-state and out-of-state twirlers, ranging from toddlers to fifth-year college seniors, to compete in divisions by both age and skill level. All funds raised from the Blue Sapphire Classic go to the Lori Bowers and David Uhazie Endowed Scholarship, for the Blue Band feature twirler.
-- The squad will hold its annual Twirling Day Camp in early summer, an opportunity for local twirlers from ages 5 to 18 to receive instruction from the Touch of Blue majorettes, including Freeman.
-- At the same time, the squad will be preparing over the months for the next National Baton Twirling Association competition, to be held in July at the University of Notre Dame.
-- The year comes full circle as August brings Band Camp, and then the intense preparations for fall football season begin once again. Games at Beaver Stadium, the TailGreat Blue Band Huddle, Rally in the Valley and the Homecoming Parade -- such activities and more carry them through December.
Members of the squad also are full-time students who are expected to keep high academic standards, and are required to take a one-credit course -- Music 081 -- each fall semester as Blue Band members.
"It's a huge commitment, but experiences like this create great memories and really cement a student's connection to the University," said Bundy.
Auditions for Touch of Blue majorettes will be held Saturday, April 5, with a separate audition to be scheduled for the position of solo twirler. Auditions for Blue Band instrumentalists, percussionists and silks will be held in August. More audition information can be found on the Blue Band website online.