Special Events

Illini Marching Band Championships

This annual event is the oldest major marching band competition open to all Illinois High School marching bands.  The festival provides participating bands with feedback from the finest national adjudicators, relevant and educational evaluation rubrics, and the thrill of performing in historic Memorial Stadium at the University of Illinois. Participation is open to the first 46 bands that apply in six classifications based on certified school size.  The two awards ceremonies, one mid-day for classes 1 through 3, and one at the end of the day for classes 4 through 6, feature signature awards and a performance by the world-famous Marching Illini!

Illinois SuperState Concert Band Festival

This annual event is the premier concert event for the finest band programs in Illinois.  An invitation to Illinois SuperState is extended to the best concert bands based on competitive evaluations by a panel of national adjudicators. Those invited to Illinois SuperState present a concert in the Krannert Center’s Foellinger Great Hall and receive conducting feedback and an expert analysis of the performance from four internationally respected conductors.  An invitation to Illinois SuperState has become the highest honor for band programs in the state of Illinois. The invitation represents top national standards and carries a high level of respect throughout the country.

University of Illinois Band Conductors Symposium

The band faculty of the University of Illinois presents this annual summer event for music educators focused on sharpening their skills, sharing “best practice” pedagogy, and energizing their creativity.  The symposium includes sessions on conducting, rehearsal techniques, wind band repertoire, pedagogy, educational philosophy, and much more.  The exact curriculum for the two-day symposium will change from year to year to encourage making this event a recurring necessity for attendees. 

University of Illinois Drumline Clinic

The University of Illinois Bands is proud to present an updated Illinois Drumline Clinic, focused on the teaching of proper technique and musicianship in high school marching band drumlines. The clinic offers instruction to entire high school drumlines (limited availability), as well as individual students who wish to improve their playing.  The teaching staff for the Drumline Clinic includes expert national clinicians and the curriculum is created and strictly overseen by University of Illinois Bands faculty.