This marks our 3rd weekend of competition in the state. 8 competitions in state this weekend. Lincoln-Way Central and Downers Grove South are making their way up to Minnesota to compete, and O’Fallon, Normal West, Prospect, and Lincoln-Way East will be competing in the Bands of America Louisvile Regional. Best of luck to all bands this weekend!
That being said, let’s get to the predictions.
Unity Invitational Marching Band Contest: Unity, IL
Five bands that are younger and just starting out competing take the field here. Great idea for a competition. Look for Heritage to take this competition.
Geneseo Maple Leaf Classic: Geneseo, IL
Class A: 4 bands pretty much evenly matched in this class. Our pick: Wethersfield
Class AA: A few good bands in this class. Look for Pekin to win it. Our pick: Pekin
Class AAA: Limestone has had a very good start to their season, doing well in Washington and Morton. We think they’ll win this class. Our pick: Limestone.
Grand Champion: Limestone
Panther Marching Band Festival: Charleston, IL
Class A: 8 bands in this class, and it could go a few ways. Our pick: Atwood-Hammond
Class AA: Salem has had 4 competitions already, some good, some not so good. We think they’ll turn it around and win here. Our pick: Salem
A/AA Champion: Salem
Class AAA: Granite City is coming off a class championship at Edwardsville last weekend. Triad could give them a run, but we think they’ll fall short. Our pick: Granite City.
Class AAAA: Effingham has really been turning some heads so far this season, winning their class at O’Fallon convincingly, and having a good run last weekend at Edwardsville. U High is coming off a win at Mt. Zion, but we don’t think they have enough to top Effingham. Our pick: Effingham
AAA/AAAA Grand Champion: We think Effingham will win their class, and pick up some strong consideration in the “Bands of the Year” voting as well.
Phantom Regiment Marching Band Festival: Machesney Park, IL
We’re not quite sure how this show is being run, if there’s classes, or if every band is in the same class. Either way, our Grand Champion will be the same. Lots of bands here that don’t compete that often.
Class A: Richmond-Burton and Argo will battle it out for this class. Our pick: Richmond-Burton
Class AA: Rochelle Township looks to repeat their class AA title, but an ISU competitior is in this class. We think Kaneland will win this class.
Class AAA: DeKalb or Batavia? We think Batavia will win it.
Grand Champion: Kaneland.
Pontiac Indian Showdown: Pontiac, IL
Class A: Eureka looks to rebound from being defeated by Streator Township at Washington. Watseka could make it interesting, but Our pick goes to: Eureka
Class AA: Streator and Herscher have already met up this year, with Streator prevailing in the last contest. We think this competition will end up the same. Our pick: Streator
Class AAA: Should be a good class. We’ll give Normal Community the nod over Romeoville and Yorkville. Our pick: Normal Community.
Class AAAA: Washington looks to repeat as AAAA Champions. We think they will, rather easily. Our pick: Washington
Grand Champion: 2 bands have won this competition in its’ existence: Marian Catholic (2004-2007) and Washington (2008.) It will stay at 2 bands having won this contest. Our pick: Washington
St. Rita Mustang Stampede: Chicago, IL (September 27th)
Class A: Antioch looks to defend their class title.
Class AA: After a good showing at Danville last weekend, we think T.F. South will win this class.
Class AAA: Glenbrook South looks to defend their class title.
Grand Champion: Glenbrook South
Chicagoland Marching Band Festival: Wheeling, IL
Class A: With their history at this competition, Alan B. Shepard looks to take the class title.
Class AA: After a class victory at Morton last week, Lincoln-Way North is our favorite for this class.
Class AAA: The toughest class of the day looks to be extremely close between VJA, Morton, and NN….after much deliberation, we have selected VJA.
Grand Champion:Victor J. Andrew
Wheaton North Falcon Band Festival: Wheaton, IL
Class A: 2 bands in this class. Our pick: Sycamore
Class AA: This class will come down to Wheaton Warrenville South or Naperville Central. Naperville Central will “rock out” and win this class. Our pick: Naperville Central
Class AAA: It’s really nice to see Marian Catholic and Lake Park competing early season. Both start their competitive seasons here, and this class could very well go to either of them. We think that Marian will continue their successes and win this class-but not by much. Our pick: Marian Catholic
Grand Champion: Marian Catholic