Illinois Band Day

Welcome

To the University of Illinois Band Day

Welcome to the 2024 University of Illinois Band Day!  We are excited you plan to join us on Saturday, September 7, 2024. Please read the following instructions to help facilitate the organization of this event.  On this page, you will find information regarding the day’s schedule, parking, seating, placement on the field, and additional general information.

REGISTER HERE

REGISTER

BAND DAY 2024 TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

TimeEvent
8:45 AM• Buses park on Pennsylvania and walk to the stadium.
• No need to be in uniform for this rehearsal.
• Bring instruments, music, and any other equipment. Leave cases on your buses.
9:00 AM• Check-In begins in Memorial Stadium through the South Tunnel.
• Directors check-in on the 50 yardline.
9:30 AM• All winds and drumline report to their respective sections with the Marching Illini for warm-up/halftime music.
• Guard report to the South Endzone of the Stadium.
• Dance Teams report to the North Endzone of the Stadium.
9:45 AM• Set the Band Day Drill Set & Run the Show.
10:30 AM• Rehearsal concludes! Use this time to get something to eat, explore campus, concessions in the stadium.
11:45 AM• Illini drumline public warm-up in Grange Grove. West side of Memorial Stadium. Free and open to the public.
12:00 PM• Grange Grove pregame concert featuring the Marching Illini and the Fighting Illini Football Team. Free and open to the public.
1:45 PM• Band day participants report to the seats in Memorial Stadium.
2:05 PM• University of Illinois Marching Illini pregame show.
2:30 PM• Kick-off between Illinois and Florida Atlantic.
HALFTIME• Official Halftime Performance with a cast of thousands – please dress uniformly for this performance.
• Following the Band Day performance, exit the stadium through the South Tunnel and head back to your buses or your seats in the stands.
• You are more than welcome to change clothes at your buses and then enter through your assigned portal according to the seating assignments below following halftime.
• You are more than welcome to stay for the rest of the game or you may depart, depending on what is best for you and your students.
6:00 PM• Game concludes.
• Feel free to watch and listen to the Marching Illini at our Post Game Concert at the Education Building following the game.

Band Day Participants

BAND DAY LOGISTICS

  • Guard and Dance Team Demonstration Videos will be shared via the Band Day Google Drive
  • Band Day Field Placement – will be shared via email one week before the show
  • Drum Majors of each band will be placed around the perimeter of the field to assist in conducting
  • Halftime Instructions
    • Leave your seats in the stadium with 10:00 left in the second quarter
    • Enter the field level via the South Tunnel of Memorial Stadium
    • Once the clock hits 0:00 move quickly to the sideline where you will enter
    • Whistle sequence will start the process to bring all bands onto the field (64 counts)
    • Horns come down for 4 with MT, turn over your left shoulder for 4 counts to face the East Stands, horns come up the last 4 counts
    • Following the closer, horns come down in 4, MT over your left shoulder 4.
    • Whistles will sound to bring us off the field in 64 counts and then depart through the South Tunnel
  • Concession Stands in the stadium will open 1.5 hours before kick off

UNIFORMS

Be certain whatever you decide to wear that you match – full uniform is preferred.  The Marching Illini will be dressed in full uniform unless there is excessive heat. There will be time for you to return to your buses to change. Changing facilities will not be provided while on campus however.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • Lunch and Dinner is on your own.  You may choose to eat at the Memorial Stadium Concession Stands or eat something on your own.  
  • Cashless Concessions – Fighting Illini concessions are cashless at all venues. At Memorial Stadium, kiosks have been installed at all permanent concession stands for patrons to use their credit or debit card to order and pay for their selections
  • Clear Bag Policy – Fans will be able to carry the following styles and bag sizes into Memorial Stadium: Bags that are CLEAR plastic or vinyl and do not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″; CLEAR drawstring bag 12″ x 12″; One-gallon CLEAR plastic storage bag; Small clutch no larger than 4.5″ x 7″. Exceptions will be made for diaper bags (with child) and approved medical needs after proper inspection. All backpacks regardless of size are prohibited and any bags larger than 12″ x 6″ x 12″, clear or non-clear, will be strictly prohibited. Fans are encouraged to bring only necessary items into Memorial Stadium and all bags are subject to search and inspection.
  • There are water fountains in the stadium and water bottles are available for purchase. The Marching Illini and Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will not provide bottled water to you. Plan ahead for the well being of your students. Fans are permitted to bring sealed bottles of water into Memorial Stadium
  • Restrooms and First Aid are located throughout the stadium 
  • Please sit in your assigned seats only.  Do not “overflow” into adjacent reserved seating sections.  Seating information and game tickets will be distributed at check-in based on the numbers you provided
  • Know that you may leave anytime after the conclusion of halftime if you choose.  
  • It is recommended that all bands stay together as much as possible.  Students should not be allowed to “roam” the campus by themselves at anytime during the day.
  • There is no room in the stands for instrument cases and hat boxes so plan accordingly.  Your buses and equipment trailers will be your storage area. Large equipment – drums, sousaphones, flags can be stored in specific areas of the South Tunnel of the stadium. Do not store these items in high traffic areas in the Tunnel.
  • Bands should not play anytime around the stadium until it is performance time
  • Remember, there are others in the stands that came to watch the game.  Be courteous of our patrons and represent your school with a great deal of class and pride

PARKING & SEATING

  • Bus Parking Permit – display these in all of your buses or equipment trucks/trailers
  • Traffic Routes, Memorial Stadium Map, Memorial Stadium Seating
  • Band Day Locations (Tickets will be distributed at check-in on Saturday)
    • All buses and trailers should go straight to Pennsylvania Avenue to park.
    • Park between Sixth Street and Dorner Drive (on both sides of the street).  Athletic Parking staff will be there to assist in parking the buses.  
    • Please make sure there are no parent vehicles in the bus caravan parked along Pennsylvania – all parents need to park in permit lots notated on the parking map above
    • Students and directors will proceed to the South Tunnel entrance into Memorial Stadium…please do not bring uniforms or cases with you to this rehearsal…only what you need for rehearsal
    • Following halftime or the conclusion of the game, all schools, staff, band members,  will load on Pennsylvania

TICKET RESERVATIONS

  • Ticket Information for Band Day available now
  • To purchase tickets, visit our Band Day ticket page
  • For more information, feel free to contact:
  • NOTE:  All tickets for participating band students, directors, and staff are FREE