Day of Event Logistics
Please return often for updates. There will be no mailings. Information for 2012 will be updated once schools are confirmed for this year's contest.
It is strongly encouraged that bands attend a portion of the festival as members of the audience and support other bands. Please reinforce with your students and fans that quiet during performances will be expected and that if noise during performances becomes an issue that students and other individuals will be asked to leave the venue. Please be courteous of all those performing by remaining quiet during their performances. The encouragement of other ensembles for the greater good in our community of music education is vitally important to our philosophy.
FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
ILLINI MARCHING BAND CHAMPIONSHIPS
University of Illinois––Urbana-Champaign
October 13, 2012
Cancellations: If any band must cancel, please notify Rebekka Kaupat by telephone as soon as possible at (217) 333-3025. There are no refunds for cancellations.
Emergency Phone Number: On the day of the event, you may contact Rebekka Kaupat at (217) 333-3025.
Director/Staff Hospitality Area: The Director & Staff Hospitality Area, generously hosted by Smith Walbridge, is located on Level 8 of the Memorial Stadium press box.
Starting Time: The event begins at 8 a.m. Buses should arrive no earlier than 6:30 a.m.
Parking: Bus and equipment truck parking has been assigned in the Assembly Hall parking lots as well as Lot E-14. Cars may park in Lots E-24, E-25, and E-15. Please share this information with those attending the Illinois Marching Band Championships. Handicap parking will be available in Lot E-27.
Stadium Entrance: The Memorial Stadium West gates will be open at 7:15 a.m. Band members in uniform will be admitted to the stadium at no charge. All bands will enter through the south end tunnel at their scheduled time. Support staff and pit crew will enter the south end tunnel at their scheduled time and must have a valid field pass. Each band is allotted a maximum of 24 field passes and six director passes. All others must purchase a ticket for admission. It is the responsibility of participating directors to convey this information to everyone attending the event. Band members will have their hands stamped upon arrival in bus parking. Band guides will give field passes to directors. Tickets may be purchased at the Ticket Office located at the south end of Memorial Stadium on Kirby Ave. between 1st and 4th Streets.
Stadium Seating: Seating for IMBC will be in the West stands only. The price for admission is $8.00 for Adults and $5.00 for Students/Children. Children three and under admitted at no charge. Access will be through Gate 18 of Memorial Stadium on the West side of the field. Handicap seating is available on the concourse of Level 5––use the North or South elevator to reach the handicap seating area.
Dressing Room Facilities: No special dressing room facilities are available in Memorial Stadium. Restrooms are available under the West stands. Please ask your bands to be courteous of others when using the restrooms. Please do not leave trash on the floors.
Security: Security of instruments, equipment, etc. is the responsibility of each band. If equipment is left on the buses, it is recommended that a reliable caretaker be stationed with each bus to ensure the security of your property.
Judging: In order to ensure understanding of judges' criteria and scoring system, band directors should review judging sheets and rules located on the UI Bands website. The decision of the judges will be final. In the case of a tie, the combined Music GE scores will be used as the tie breaker. If the tie still exists, the judges will make the final decision.
Awards: A representative from each band should be available for the awards ceremony to accept any awards for that school. Judges’ sheets and comments will be available to directors and staff shortly after the awards ceremony at the 50-yard line tables at the conclusion of the event. Any materials left at the end of the day will be kept at the University of Illinois Band Office for 14 days for pick-up. Any unclaimed materials will be shipped at this time. Please contact Rebekka Kaupat, Event Contact, at (217) 333-3025 for any special arrangements regarding your materials. Drum Majors are requested to be in full uniform for the retreat and awards ceremony.
- Grand Champion award for class 1A-3A and 4A-6A
- 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies will be awarded in each class.
- Caption Awards: Best Music, Best Visual, Best Percussion, Best Auxiliary
Programs: Souvenir programs will be available at the stadium entrances for $5.00.
Marching Illini Exhibition Performances: The University of Illinois Marching Illini, will present a marching exhibition at the close of classes 1A- 3A (1:24 p.m.) and classes 4A- 6A (8:10 p.m.).
Safety: Directors should alert students and adults to use caution at all times and observe the police directing traffic when crossing First Street and especially Kirby. The University Police request that spectators and students entering and leaving the stadium cross only at the intersection of Kirby and First, or Fourth and Peabody. For safety in Memorial Stadium, please caution your students about sitting on the balcony walls or other dangerous areas. These areas, as well as the stadium tower areas, are strictly off-limits.
DVD Recording: Flushing Pheasant Digital Videowill professionally record each band’s performance. DVD recordings will be available through Flushing Pheasant. You may contact them at their booth in the West Hall or at (217) 586-1887. These arrangements are handled exclusively by Flushing Pheasant Video Productions and not the University of Illinois.
Professional Photography: Still photography will take place at the South end of the stadium after each band’s performance. Arrangements are handled exclusively by Jolesch Photography and not the University of Illinois. No on-field photography will be allowed. Parents are more than welcome to take photos from the stands.
Timing: Please advise all of your participating and support personnel that the scheduled time of your performance is an approximation. You should be prepared to perform earlier or later than the scheduled time.
Entering Field: Competing bands will assemble at the south tunnel entrance of Memorial Stadium 10 minutes prior to their scheduled performance time. After reporting, bands will proceed to the contest field sidelines for competition preparation (1 point penalty for reporting late). Bands will be escorted and should not use percussion, as bands are performing. All shows will be presented to the West stands; judges will be located on the Level 3 concourse.
Vehicles: No powered mechanized vehicles will be permitted inside the stadium. The penalty for violating this regulation is disqualification of the band.
Timing & Penalties: You will have 14 minutes from the cue of the Timing and Penalties judge to enter the field, warm-up, have your band announced, perform your show, exit the field, and cease all sound. One (1) penalty point is applied for each 15 seconds over the 14-minute time limit.
Exiting Field: Bands will exit the contest field through the south tunnel gate, and proceed to Kirby Avenue for pictures.Bands must seize all sound at this time, even if the 14 limit time limit has not been met. Dropped equipment should be retrieved by your own appointed personnel or by the performers. Please do not bring front ensemble equipment to the photo area.
Electrical Equipment: A power source will be available on the field on the West Side of the field.
Weather: In case of inclement weather, the 2011 Illini Marching Band Championships will be held under the West balcony of Memorial Stadium and adjudicated as an indoor, standstill contest. Although participation is voluntary, there will be no refunds. The schedule will follow the same order, minus those bands that elect not to perform.
Warm-Up: Bands will receive a detailed schedule with assigned warm-up times and areas. Fields immediately surrounding the stadium are off-limits for warming up and playing to avoid possible interference with the stadium competition. Please face away from Memorial Stadium while warming up.
Hash Marks: There will be two sets of hash marks on the field: the center set is for the NCAA and the outside set is IHSA. The IHSA marks are temporary markers and will be reset throughout the day to ensure consistent placement.