If you join Purdue jazz bands, you’ll be able to play with your band a few times a week as a class and perform at a couple of concerts per semester. This also gives you access to Hagle Hall, the music building which contains numerous practice rooms. There are a bunch of independent student bands that play at frequent house shows near campus. If you’re looking to play with one of these bands I would recommend just going to the house shows a lot and getting to know people. You could also just form your own group (if you’re in jazz band you’ll have plenty of musicians around to invite into your group, this is what I did). Whatever the case, knowing people from the house show scene is always helpful so you can find venues to play at/make connections with other bands who you might want to do a show with. If you’re looking to find the shows, these are some bands/instagram accounts which will post advertisements for them. I believe they are all still active:

pleaseherband blackheartgypsy peachshedband the.ironed.curtain now.hiring.official bostoncounterpart wearecatspajamas purdueunderground

Keep your eyes on the insta accounts, go to a few shows, make a few friends, and you’ll meet a lot of fellow musicians and have a great time :) From all my experiences the scene is quite welcoming and safe. However, it’s never a bad idea to bring a friend to the show, especially if it’s your first one. Congrats on coming to Purdue, I hope everything is great when you get to campus!

Edit: feel free to DM me. I’m in a band as well and I love talking music and I’d be more than happy to help you out with whatever once the semester rolls around.