Where It Started…And Never Stops

The notable Illinois Bands program began on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus in 1868, and, thanks to our amazing students and our many staunch supporters over the years, is still going strong today. We invite you to join with these individuals in helping us innovate and grow our educational and impactful bands program that has had, and continues to have, an impact on the lives of thousands of students across every discipline throughout campus.

To honor donors who are able to give $500 or more, their names are displayed each year on the Illinois Bands Loyalty Society Donor Board in the historic Harding Band Building.

Support Illinois Bands

Illinois Bands Annual Loyalty Fund

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Gifts to our Annual Loyalty Fund support all aspects of Illinois Bands and enhance the student experience in the Concert Bands, Marching Illini, and Athletic Bands. This fund supports travel, instrument purchase and maintenance, composer and guest artist residencies, upgrades to Harding Band Building, and many other elements of the comprehensive Illinois Bands program.

Marching Illini Band Fund

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This fund is used for all aspects of support of the Marching Illini. Instrument purchase, uniform upkeep, production of halftime music and drill, support for travel to away games, and many other areas of support to provide first class experiences for members of the Marching Illini!

Other Funds

Friends and family of Illinois Bands have created numerous awards and scholarships to support our students and contribute to their success. We thank each of them for their generosity and invite you to consider contributing to one of these established funds.

Albert Austin Harding Band Awards

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The Harding Band awards were established to recognize achievement in concert band performance.

Marching Illini Drum Major Scholarship Fund

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The income from this fund is used to support an annual scholarship for one drum major of the Marching Illini. This is determined by number of years of membership, academic excellence while serving in this position, and the embodiment of what it means to be a member of the Marching Illini!

David A. Trotter Endowment Fund

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The income from this fund is used for equipment and instrument purchases for the Marching Illini.

Gary E. Smith Excellence in Leadership Endowment Fund

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The Gary E. Smith Excellence in Leadership Scholarship honors the legacy of Associate Director of Bands Emeritus—and former Director of the Marching Illini—Gary Smith, whose selfless dedication embodies the spirit of Illinois Loyalty. Established by Band alumni to provide critical support to current students of the Bands program, awardees will be selected by the Bands faculty based upon applicants’ proven leadership skills, academic excellence, and inspiration to others on campus.

Gregory Vasich Memorial Endowment Fund

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This fund is used for the support of producing a halftime marching band performance by the Marching Illini in memory of Gregory S. Vasich, a former member of the band. Greg played trombone in the Marching Illini.

Harry Begian Assistantship Fund

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The legacy of former Director of Bands Harry Begian is acknowledged through an endowment establishing an award for travel and study given to a MM or DMA wind band conducting major.

Illinois Concert Bands Fund

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Our Concert Bands Fund was established to support the many students who participate in our concert bands. This includes the purchase of concert instruments for non-music majors, music purchase and rental, and any other equipment and materials needed to support a successful and nationally recognized program.

Marching Illini Drumline Scholarship Fund

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The income from this fund produces a scholarship for a member (or members) of the Marching Illini Drumline. Drumline members must be in the MI for two previous seasons in order to be eligible.

Marching Illini Instructional Tower

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Our Marching Illini Instructional Tower fund supports the ongoing costs of our practice field and tower.

Mark H. Hindsley Fund in Bands

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The legacy of legendary Director of Bands and music arranger Mark Hindsley is acknowledged through this endowment. Proceeds from this fund are used to enhance the concert band program through music and instrument purchases and recognize undergraduate and graduate musical talent through yearly scholarships.

James F. Keene Illinois Bands Commissioning Fund

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While at the University of Illinois, Professor Keene personally commissioned or co-commissioned more than 30 new works written for wind band. This fund continues his legacy by making possible the continued leadership of Illinois Bands in the propagation of new music for bands.

Marching Illini Dad's Day Fund

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The MI Dad's Day Fund supports the Dad's Day field show and activities by the Marching Illini.

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Creating a Legacy of Excellence

A significant portion of the University of Illinois Bands' annual and endowment income comes from realized bequests and other types of deferred gifts from our alumni and friends. Donors who remember the Illinois Bands in their estate plans provide critical funding to establish scholarships, awards, fellowships, and other student and faculty support. There are many ways to establish a planned gift for the Illinois Bands.

We would like to recognize the following named endowment funds in support of Illinois Bands:

  • Guy M. Duker Awards Fund

  • Thomas J. Harris Memorial Band Award Fund

  • William F. Ludwig U of I Band Awards for Percussionists Fund

  • John Brownfield Memorial Fund

  • George Brownfield Memorial Fund

  • James R. and Candace Penn Frame Endowment Fund

If you would like more information about ways to give, or have other questions, please call or email David Allen, Director of Development (Office: 217-333-6453).  

University of Illinois Bands
Harding Band Building, MC-524
1103 South Sixth Street
Champaign, IL 61820

 

Phone: 217-333-3025
Fax: 217-244-8810
Email: bands@illinois.edu
Web Address: bands.illinois.edu
General Office Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm