Four Plainfield grads return for Purduettes performance
By Lindsay Doty
Wearing red lipstick and matching sparkling outfits, Purdue’s all-female vocal ensemble called the Purduettes, is something to see and hear as they enthusiastically belt out a mix of tunes on stage.
Through Purdue Musical Organizations the group includes 60 talented singers from Purdue, some with Hendricks County roots.
Plainfield graduates Serena Viau, Ceci Daily, Kira Siepman and Hannah Friddle will perform with the Purduettes in concert at PHS Jan. 18. (Photos provided by Purduettes)
“Purduettes is one of the best things about my time at Purdue,” said Serena Viau, a junior at Purdue who graduated from Plainfield High School in 2017. “My favorite thing about being in Purduettes is that it gives every person in the group the opportunity to create relationships that will last a lifetime.”
Viau will head back to Plainfield High School on Jan. 18 to sing in a Purduettes concert. The Plainfield High School Choral Boosters is hosting the group for a Saturday evening performance in the auditorium.
“It means so much to have the opportunity to come back and perform at my high school,” Viau said. “That’s where music became such a big part of my life, and being able to give that gift back to the high school now that I’m in college is such a great thing,”
Three other Purduettes also share high school history. Purdue senior Kira Siepman, freshmen Ceci Daily and Hannah Friddle are also Plainfield graduates.
“Plainfield High School was the first place I performed and found my love for music. Performing on the stage one last time in front of the community I grew up in will be a joy,” said Siepman, a 2016 PHS grad.
Seven other Purduettes get to perform that night are from the Hendricks County area.
The singing group has served as “Ambassadors of Song” at Purdue University for more than 75 years and offers opportunities for students to learn, perform, travel and grow together while engaging audiences.
Founded in 1942, the original Purduettes heartily fulfilled previously-booked appearances of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club when the onset of World War II depleted the Glee Club’s roster. Since then, the Purduettes have continued performing for community, university, corporate, business, private, government, alumni, arts and school events throughout Indiana, the United States, Canada, Europe and Central America.
They sing a mix of songs from jazz to gospel.
The ladies must audition and keep up with their performance and travel schedule while maintaining high academic achievements.
Polished and pitch-perfect, many joined the group to continue their love for singing and performance beyond high school.
Many members say the group is about more than just music, but a sisterhood, on and off stage.
“I have grown so much as a person during my time in Purduettes and I have made friendships that will last a lifetime. I get to celebrate my love of music and performing with my sisters in song and I will forever be grateful for my time in this ensemble,” said Siepman, who manages and choreographs Purduettes.
The Purduettes Community Concert
Plainfield High School auditorium
1 Red Pride Drive, Plainfield
7 p.m. Jan. 18.
Cost: $10 adults, $5 ages 5-18, free for kids 5 and younger
Tickets online at http://showtix4u.com/events/Purduettes or at the door.
Proceeds will benefit the Plainfield High School choral programs.
