University of Illinois Bands is proud to be the world's largest college band program, offering University of Illinois students the highest quality ensemble experiences in eleven ensembles. These ensembles include the Illinois Wind Symphony, two symphonic bands, three concert bands, a British Brass Band, Clarinet choir, the UI Basketball Band, the Orange & Blues, and the world famous 350-member Marching Illini. Over 850 students participate each semester in these outstanding ensembles.

The Illinois Wind Symphony, Symphonic Bands, Concert Bands, and British Brass band perform regularly on the stage of Foellinger Great Hall in the state-of-the-art Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Housed in the A.A. Harding Band Building, all UI Bands ensembles have the pleasure of rehearsing in the world's first building specifically designed and built for a band department.

The various athletic bands provide spectacular entertainment at all Illini football, basketball, and volleyball games. In addition to their precision marching at Memorial Stadium, the Marching Illini presents an annual formal concert at the Assembly Hall. This event – combination showcase and portrait in contrasts – gives this athletic band the chance to show its annually sold-out crowd why it is the "Best Band in the Land."

University Bands Heritage
Albert Austin Harding guided the bands for forty-three years to their position of eminence as the University's first official Director of Bands. A.A. Harding became honorary life president of both the College Band Directors National Association and the American Bandmasters Association, and the current band building is named in honor of his years of devotion to the University.

Mark Hindsley became Director of Bands upon Harding's retirement in 1948. To Dr. Hindsley can be attributed the far-sighted University of Illinois Symphonic Band Recording Project. Hindsley retired in 1970 and Dr. Harry Begian became Director of Bands until his retirement in 1984. In addition to his outstanding musical achievements, Dr. Begian established the University Band Conducting Internship Program. Many of today's leading college band conductors served as band conducting interns under Dr. Begian's tutelage.

University Bands Today
Today, the University Bands tradition is currently under its fourth Director of Bands, James F. Keene. The University of Illinois Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony, under the baton of Professor Keene, have been selected to perform for every major music conference in the U.S. and have toured throughout the country. In 1997, Mr. Keene led the Symphonic Band on a concert tour of Great Britain. In addition to producing an extensive recording series for Mark Recordings continuing Hindsley's recording project, the Symphonic Band was featured on the Masterpiece Series distributed by EMI-Toshiba of Japan. These recordings have been broadcast on National Public Radio in the U.S., as well as radio programs in Japan, Australia, and several European countries.

University Bands Tomorrow
The goal of the University Bands is to provide a quality musical, educational, and cultural program for all interested University of Illinois students. There is presently a Wind Symphony, two Symphonic bands, three Concert bands, the world famous Marching Illini, a Basketball Band, British Brass Band, and Clarinet Choir. Other ensembles include Summer Band, Orange & Blues, and Alumni Band.

Search the University Bands Website