Only 3 shows to predict this week-no schedule was received for the Olympian Marching Band Festival in Olympia Fields, and our knowledge of Minnesota bands is not strong enough to accurately predict the Youth in Music Championships in Minneapolis (we do think Lincoln-Way Central will do well there and easily make finals.)
For the Illini Marching Band Championships as well as the ISU Championships, we do predictions a little bit differently: each member of the staff predicts their top 3, and the poll predictions are utilized as well.
Let us get to the predictions!
Downers Grove South Marching Mustang Music Bowl: Downers Grove, IL
1A: Eureka should be able to take first here, especially given their late performance time, but Wheaton North may sneak in. Providence Catholic should be able to secure third place.
2A: An extremely close call between Naperville North and Wheaton Warrenville South. We’ll give the slight edge to Naperville North with United Township most likely taking third, but A.A. Stagg and Pontiac will make solid attempts.
3A: Plainfield North takes first with Glenbrook South in second. Third place will be close between Romeoville, Huntley and Lemont, and we’ll go with Romeoville.
Finalists: Plainfield North, Glenbrook South, Romeoville, Naperville North, Wheaton Warrenville South, United Township, Lemont, Huntley, Eureka, Wheaton North
Grand Champion: Plainfield North
Bands of America Regional Championships: Akron, Ohio
We are operating under the assumption that all bands will make finals here. This may have changed, and if so, we predict that Norwin, PA, Lincoln-Way North, Miamisburg, OH, Brunswick, OH, Fort Mill, SC, Chantilly, VA, Kings, OH, Lebanon, OH, Marietta, OH, and Norton, OH will make finals. Just like last year, Fort Mill and Norwin will battle it out for the regional title, and we’ll give the nod to Norwin, PA for their second regional championship of the year. Expect Lincoln-Way North to be top 5 here-maybe as even as high as 3rd.
Illini Marching Band Championships: Champaign, IL
Class 1A:
Andrew: 1. Watseka 2. ROWVA 3. Tri-Valley
Chris: 1. Tri-Valley 2. Watseka 3. ROWVA
Dan: 1. Tri-Valley 2. Watseka 3. ROWVA
Mark: 1. Tri-Valley 2. Watseka 3. ROWVA
Polls: Tri-Valley (38.8% of the vote.)
Class 2A:
Andrew: 1. IVC 2. Eureka 3. Macomb
Chris: 1. Macomb 2. IVC 3. Eureka
Dan: 1. Macomb 2. Eureka 3. IVC
Mark: 1. Macomb 2. Eureka 3. Monticello
Polls: Eureka (51.4% of the vote.)
Class 3A:
Andrew: 1. Morton 2. Mahomet-Seymour 3. Limestone
Chris: 1. Morton 2. Mahomet-Seymour 3. Waterloo
Dan: 1. Morton 2. Mahomet-Seymour 3. Limestone
Mark: 1. Morton 2. Limestone 3. Mahomet-Seymour
Polls: Morton (80% of the vote.)
Class 4A:
Andrew: 1. Lincoln-Way West 2. Bloomington 3. Dunlap
Chris: 1. Bloomington 2. Lincoln-Way West 3. Dunlap
Dan: 1. Lincoln-Way West 2. Bloomington 3. Dunlap
Mark: 1. Dunlap 2. Washington 3. Lincoln-Way West
Polls: Lincoln-Way West (52.1% of the vote.)
Class 5A:
Andrew: 1. Prospect 2. O’Fallon 3. Belleville East
Chris: 1. Prospect 2. O’Fallon 3. Belleville East
Dan: 1. Prospect 2. O’Fallon 3. Belleville East
Mark: 1. Prospect 2. O’Fallon 3. Normal Community
Polls: Prospect (56.1% of the vote.)
Class 6A:
Andrew: 1. Waubonsie Valley 2. Neuqua Valley 3. Joliet West
Chris: 1. Waubonsie Valley 2. Joliet West 3. Fremd
Dan: 1. Waubonsie Valley 2. Joliet West 3. Minooka
Mark: 1. Waubonsie Valley 2. Fremd 3. Neuqua Valley
Polls: Waubonsie Valley (67.8% of the vote.)
Illini Marching Band Championships “Small Schools” Champion:
Andrew: Morton
Chris: Morton
Dan: Morton
Mark: Morton
Illini Marching Band Championships “Large Schools” Champion:
Andrew: Prospect
Chris: Prospect
Dan: Prospect
Mark: Prospect
Best of luck to all bands this weekend!
(full article)