UI Bands Alumni

General Information for Band Alumni

Due to the legacy of being the first college band program, the University of Illinois Bands has over 12,000 living alumni with degrees from every major on campus. Truly, our alumni represent the entire University of Illinois. From some of the finest music professionals in the world to business leaders, engineers, medical professionals, and so on. Our alumni have a unique bond forged through their experiences in the University of Illinois Bands and you can (and should) continue to enjoy your link to the most famous band program in the world.

Our Band Alumni Network is an official alumni unit on campus. In addition to a widespread national board that the organization has several committees to assist with communication, the alumni marching band at homecoming, alumni concert band events, and so on.  This activity create a living connection between our amazing alumni and our current students. 

To connect with our Band Alumni Network, please visit this website frequently to stay informed of UI Band news, concerts, recordings, and so forth.  Our media page and news stories are of particular interest to our valued alumni!

Your current Band Alumni President is Rich Schroeder and he can be reached at rsclarinet@gmail.com. We are in the process of an organizational redesign supported by the UI Alumni Association that will help create a better, stronger band alumni group! 

A Call for Volunteers

Alumni Organization (State Representatives)

The University of Illinois Bands and the Alumni Band Association are in need of state representatives. In general, we would ask that state alumni representatives contact every band alumni in their state (e-mail list provided) once a month to let them know news from the Alumni Band Network and from University Bands. Once each year the representative will organize a social event of some sort for Illinois Band Alumni in their state. It could be as simple as meeting at a restaurant or taking in a baseball game together.  All Band Alumni hold a special bond that bridges generations together. UI Bands and the Alumni Band Network want to provide more opportunities than just Homecoming or the occasional concert band reuion to bond, enjoy each other, and remember the wonderful experiences that the UI Band gave you. Those experiences can continue...and we are looking for one person in each state that will agree to e-mail once a month and organize a social event each year. Easy, fun, and rewarding for all, volunteering for this is a significant service. If you are interested in helping, please contact Rebekka Kaupat at 217-333-3025 or email her at rkaupat2@illinois.edu.