Are you worried about the time commitment, concerned about costs, or not sure whether auditioning is the right decision for you?

Those of us in the band for a few years count our experience in the MI as one of the most enriching and enjoyable parts of our time in college. The responsibility and dedication of being in the MI is not easy, but the rewards of camaraderie and lifetime friendships are tremendous. If nothing else, the Marching Illini is a good way to find your ‘niche’ in a large and sometimes impersonal university.

Consider the time commitment for MI much like you would a part-time job. During football season, the band rehearses about 1.5 hours each afternoon, with an additional rehersal on Tuesday evenings. (See the Class Schedule entry for MUS 273 for the exact practice times.) While discouraged, small class conflicts may be allowed if approved by the directors. Don’t forget to account for some travel time to and from Memorial Stadium for rehearsals.

If you are accepted into the band after you audition, watch your mailbox for the summer mailing. This will include the information you’ll need to come to campus, move in, and start band camp. Copies of your part for the traditional music are included in the mailing. Memorize these! It’s important that you be able to pass the memorization playing test on the first day of band camp.

For a full week before classes start, the MI holds band camp during the entire day. Plan on dedicating this week to the MI. Especially if you’ve never been in a high-quality marching band before, it’ll be an incredible experience! During the day, you’ll learn marching fundamentals and drill on the practice field, rehearse with your section, and rehearse with the entire ensemble indoors. In the evening, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to socialize and get to know fellow band members.

Performance and game days begin early – usually at 8:00 am for afternoon football games. We’ll have a morning rehearsal, followed by a short lunch break, and the pregame parade will step off about an hour and a half before game time. After the postgame antics on the field, we’ll parade back to the Education Building and give a concert on the front steps. Expect on a long, exciting day. On Saturdays with no performance, you’ll have a well-deserved entire weekend off.

The Marching Illini enjoys a mutual support relationship with the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, so the monetary costs of joining the MI are minimal. Members are required to purchase a section t-shirt, shorts, shoes, and a lyre at the beginning of the year. After that, no extensive costs or purchases are involved. Uniforms are checked out at no cost. For several sections (including the sousaphones, piccolos, mellophones, and drumline) musical instruments are provided by University Bands; for others, instruments may be available for checkout during the season.