SUMMER UPDATE

PRESEASON INFORMATION FORM

It is imperative that you complete all preseason forms located on the Preseason Camp page no later than June 1.  If any information changes after you submit your form please contact us IMMEDIATELY! If your plans change, do not assume we know your new plans.  Please notify us IMMEDIATELY as there are extensive waiting lists for the Marching Illini.

SUMMER SECTIONALS

All invited prospective students and returning members are highly encouraged to attend three Summer Sectionals on June 16 and July 21. These summer sectionals allow our students to check out instruments, uniforms, and lockers in addition to working on music memorization and marching fundamentals before preseason camp. The summer sectionals are set up for each prospective student to become familiar with the MI system and to better prepare for the final auditions. Marching Fundamentals will be taught on the MI Practice Field in the morning followed by a lunch break with members of your section. The afternoon will be spent practicing traditional music in preparation for music memorization during preseason camp. Each section may schedule some type of social event following each summer sectional.

GRADUATE STAFF, DRUM MAJORS, SECTION LEADERS, AND UGS

All Graduate Staff, Drum Majors, Section Leaders and UGS are expected to report to the Harding Band Building at 12:00 PM on Friday, August 17.  Please note that this is two days before the full Marching Illini Preseason Camp begins. From Friday to Saturday, our annual Student Staff Workshop will take place filled with leader workshops and organizational meetings in preparation for music auditions and preseason camp.  If you will be staying on campus during the Fall semester, you will need to stay in FAR until Sunday when early move-in begins.  Please complete the Temporary Housing Request Form if you need temporary housing during our Student Staff Workshop.

DRUMLINE & ILLINETTES DANCE TEAM PRESEASON SECTIONALS

All Drumline & Illinettes members are expected to report to campus on Friday, August 17.  Please note that this is two days before the full Marching Illini Preseason Camp begins.  From Friday to Sunday, the days will be filled with preliminary sectionals in preparation for preseason camp.  If you will be staying on campus during the Fall semester, you will need to stay in temporary housing until Sunday when early move-in begins for your permanent housing placement. Please complete the Temporary Housing Request Form if you need temporary housing during this sectional time before Sunday.

THE OFFICIAL MI PREASEASON CAMP | AUGUST 19 – 26, 2018

Attendance at Preseason Camp is required for all members of the Marching Illini!  Please plan to arrive and check-in at the historic Harding Band Building Sunday August 19 starting at 9:00 AM. During this time, you will check-in, have your photo taken, check out an instrument and locker, and take your music memorization test. If you are moving in to on campus housing, you are encouraged to complete the Marching Illini registration in the morning and then move in to your University Housing as Housing will not be open before 12:00 PM.

MEALS DURING PRESEASON CAMP

Lunch and Dinner will be provided by the Marching Illini during Preseason Camp.  Breakfast is on your own so please be sure to eat a healthy breakfast before each day begins.  Please check the appropriate selection on the Preseason Information Form, especially if you have any allergic or specific meal requirements.

MUSIC AVAILABLE THROUGH BOX @ Illinois

All music is available via Box @ Illinois and you should receive this link to your section shared folder prior to May 1. We are a 100% paperless organization so our students utilize their own personal devices to view all music, drill, and other documents through the official Marching Illini Box section folder. If you choose to print music, you are able to do so from the shared folder, but it is your responsibility to have all music, drill and other documents for each and every rehearsal.

MUSIC MEMORIZATION TEST EXPECTATIONS

The Music Memorization Test will take place on the first Sunday of Preseason Camp.  It is expected that traditional music be memorized at this time.  All music is available via Box @ Illinois.  This music will be heard by your TA and section leader in small groups during the check-in process.  New members should utilize the mp3 files provided via Box to aid in practicing and memorization. Music that needs to be memorized is as follows:

  • Revised Entrance #3
  • Patriotic Medley
  • Illinois Loyalty
  • Oskee Wow Wow
  • William Tell
  • The Star Spangled Banner
  • The Three In One
  • Illinois March

The selection of members for the Performance Block will be determined by the Music Memorization Check Off – meaning that if you wish to make the band, you must be certain you have memorized this music before Preseason Camp. This applies to ALL Members.  Those that do not meet this expectation will be put on alternate status until all traditional music has been memorized or may not make the official roster/membership of the Marching Illini during preseason camp.  In addition, the combination of marching fundamentals learned during preseason camp, attendance, drill and music performance will be evaluated to determine overall status for all members.

INSTRUMENTS

All Piccolos, Clarinets, a number of Tenor Saxophones, majority of Trumpets, Mellophones, Trombones, Baritones, Sousaphones, and Drumline equipment are provided by the Marching Illini at no cost to the student. This is very important for the brass players as we use a silver brass line for a unified look. All regular maintenance is covered by the Marching Illini but any other damage will be the responsibility of the student. These will be checked out during our Summer Sectionals in May, June, and July.

MARCHING ILLINI TEXT MESSAGE SYSTEM

If you are not part of the Marching Illini Text Message System, please contact Professor Houser ASAP.  This system, the official MarchingIllini.com website, and Box are the only official systems of communication for news, updates, and other important information.

MUSIC LYRES AND FLIP FOLDERS VS E-FLIPS AND SMART PHONES OR TABLETS

The Marching Illini is a 100% paperless operation. The Fall 2016 season was the first year when this system was fully implemented. All members will be encouraged to use their smart phone to read music and drill. Music will be provided through Box @ Illinois while drill will continue to be provided via the Ultimate Drill Book app. Each student is provided with an e-Flip which will attach to your current lyre for your instrument and will hold your smart device. By moving to this new 100% paperless system, the Marching Illini has saved THOUSANDS of dollars annually on paper, copier rental fees, maintenance of the copier, as well as hundreds of hours of staff time making the folders for every student. The sustainability of this project will have many positive outcomes. If a student ultimately wishes to use a traditional flip folder, the student will be responsible for printing the music and drill for each rehearsal.

ULTIMATE DRILL BOOK APP

The Marching Illini started the process to move to a paperless operation in 2014 that has saved the band thousands of dollars in printing and copying costs. We will continue taking steps forward to complete this process.  Each student will be provided with a license to Ultimate Drill Book before Preseason Camp begins. This app will provide your coordinate for each drill set as well as allow you to see all drill formations via your phone or tablet.  The technology is quite amazing. It is highly suggested that members of the MI have access to a smart phone or mini-tablet.

STUDENTS IN UNIVERSITY HOUSING

Indicate your UIN and Residence Hall on the Preseason Information Form so arrangements can be made with Housing for your early move-in.  Students living in University Housing will be able to move into their permanent Housing assignment on Sunday of Preseason Camp starting at 12:00 PM.  The Marching Illini will cover the cost of this early move-in as long as you are a member of the MI. If you choose to leave the ensemble, you will be responsible for these costs.  Again, we encourage all members to check-in for the Marching Illini in Harding Band Building first, then move-in to your Residence Hall or apartment.  If you live in Private Certified Housing, be sure you contact your facility directly to inquire about your early arrival.  If you need any assistance, please contact the University Bands office.

MERCHANDISE ORDER FORM & REQUIRED ITEMS

All items available to the Marching Illini are located on the MI Merchandise Form, the LIDS Flash Store for a limited time, and specific order through the Marching Illini.  We ask that each member and potential member complete the form with no payment due until membership in the Marching Illini has been confirmed.  Required Items for full membership in the Marching Illini include:

  • Official MI Nike Rehearsal T-Shirt | provided by the MI
  • Official MI Nike Polo Shirt | provided by the MI
  • Custom MI Nike Ball Cap | provided by the MI
  • MI Nike Beanie | provided by the MI
  • Custom MI Orange Sunglasses | provided by the MI
  • MI Nike Shorts
  • MI Nike Warm-Up Pants
  • MI Nike Section Jacket | required and paid for by student @ 55.00
  • Black Marching Shoes – VIPER SHOES | required and paid for by band student $32.00 [only if you do not own a pair of black marching shoes]
  • Guard Shoe | required and paid for by student
  • Guard Warm-Ups | required and paid for by student
  • Illinettes Shoe | required and paid for by student
  • Illinettes Warm-Ups | required and paid for by student
  • Khaki Shorts & brown belt | required for all members of the woodwind, brass, drumline, drum major, & grad staff sections – must purchase on your own
  • Long Black Socks | required for all woodwinds, brass, and drumline members

UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

Every Marching Illini student is issued a uniform at no cost to each member. Uniforms will be cleaned throughout the season and Professor Houser will announce when uniforms need to be returned to the Uniform Room for cleaning. The cost of cleaning will be covered by the Marching Illini.

GAMEDAY REHEARSAL UNIFORM

In addition to the Marching Illini Uniform, there is an official game day rehearsal uniform that is required of all members.  Professor Houser will clarify whether Summer or Cold Weather Attire should be worn.  Game Day and Travel Uniforms consist of the following:

  • MI Nike Rehearsal T-Shirt (Required)
  • MI Section Jacket (Required)
  • MI Nike Shorts (Required)
  • MI Nike Warm-Up Pants (Required)
  • MI Nike Ball Cap or MI Beanie or Shako (Required)
  • Socks and Proper Footwear for Rehearsals in the Memorial Stadium (Required)

WIND PLAYERS

All wind players should be playing on superior mouthpieces and reeds.  The use of colorful plastic mouthpieces and p-bones is prohibited.

ORANGE AND BLUES BAND

The Orange and Blues Bands are made up of multiple 25-member bands of the most dedicated and strongest players in the Marching Illini.  The Bands play for extra athletic events, tailgate performances, the President and Chancellor of the University, and any other VIP events.  Members are chosen by instrumentation and by the music memorization scores received the first day of preseason camp.

VOLLEYBALL BAND

The Volleyball Band is an ensemble that is offered in the fall semester [MUS 274] for primarily non-Marching Illini members.  However, if any member wishes to join, they are certainly welcome to. The Volleyball Band plays for all volleyball games and will travel with the team for specific NCAA Tournaments. Auditions will take place during the first week of the fall semester and Rehearsals will take place on Mondays each week during the fall.

MARCHING ILLINI CLASS REGISTRATION

All members of the Marching Illini are required to enroll in the academic class, MUS 273 Marching Illini and have the option of enrolling for 1, 2, or 3 credit hours. Click HERE to see which section of MUS 273 to enroll. Drumline, Guard, and Illinettes have specific section to sign up as there are sectional times associated with these sections of the band. Woodwinds, Brass, Drum Majors, Twirlers, and UGStaff have a specific section without sectionals listed.

If you are a student at Parkland, you need to register as a non-degree seeking student through the University of Illinois. Sign up for the course MUS 273 and enroll for 1 credit hour so your fees are less expensive than taking the course for 2 or 3 credit hours.

REHEARSAL AND CLASS SCHEDULE

During the Fall Semester, the Marching Illini’s official academic class time is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 5:00 – 6:30 PM.  On Thursday, rehearsal will take place from 8-9:30 PM in Memorial Stadium.  Additional sectionals for Guard, Illinettes, and Drumline will take place throughout the week. Game Day rehearsals take place on the day of a game either at 7 AM for an 11 AM kick-off or 9 AM for any other kick-off.

SEASON TICKETS

All members of the Marching Illini are provided with 4 season tickets for all home games.  This does not include any road trip games or games played off site such as Soldier Field.  Tickets will be distributed during the Marching Illini Photo Day at the end of Preseason Camp.  A tremendous thank you to DIA for their generosity.

B1G CHAMPIONSHIP AND BOWL GAMES

The B1G Championship Game and Bowl Game attendance is expected and required for everyone in the Marching Illini if the football team advances to post-season play.  Please plan family vacations accordingly.

THE SYSTEM

Be sure to read over the SYSTEM.  A copy of The System will be printed and provided to every member of the band during preseason camp as well.

MARCHING ILLINI FORMAL BANQUET

In December, the annual Marching Illini Formal will take place in the Colonnades Club of Memorial Stadium.  This is a formal dinner, awards ceremony, and dance to recognize all members of the Marching Illini for their efforts throughout the season.  The cost is $30 per person and is open to all Marching Illini members and their guests.

MARCHING ILLINI SOCIAL MEDIA

LIKE the Marching Illini on Facebook

Follow the Marching Illini on Twitter

Follow the Marching Illini on Instagram

Subscribe to the Marching Illini YouTube 

CONCERT BAND AUDITIONS

All students are encouraged to participate in one of the five concert bands in the Illinois Bands program. Information, schedules, and audition requirements for these bands are located on our auditions and ensembles links.  All first year members are required to play in a concert band the second semester or they have to re-audition for the Marching Illini.

DON’T FORGET THESE ITEMS FOR PRESEASON CAMP

  • Instrument
  • smartphone to display music and drill during rehearsals and performances
  • Required e-Flip to hold your phone or tablet – will be provided to all of our students upon arrival during preseason camp
  • Comfortable marching shoes – no sandals
  • Extra reeds,valve oil, etc.
  • Khaki Shorts and a brown belt | All shirts will be tucked in during performances
  • Hats | Sunscreen
  • Black Marching Shoes if you own a pair and did not order a pair
  • Black Socks

QUESTIONS OR CLARIFICATIONS

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us HERE