• There are 47 bands this year with awards in 6 classes, running 8am to 9pm. Six interesting, competitive classes based on enrollment.
• Rotated class performance sequence this year: 3A-1A-2A; 6A-4A-5A.  Next year, it will likely be 2A-3A-1A, 5A-6A-4A.
• Two performances of the World Famous Marching Illini. Two awards ceremonies, at 1:45pm and 8:45pm with awards for 3rd, 2nd, 1st in class.
• 2nd year of the 5-judge four-caption system unique to U of I:  Music GE 20 (2), Visual GE 20, Individual Music 20, Individual Visual 20.  Ties are broken based on the 3 music scores.  If the bands are still tied, it will be judge’s preference.
• Caption awards for drum line and color guard have been restored, based on requests from last year.  Drum Majors have captions for commentary within two of the primary adjudicator forms: Individual Music and Visual Effect.
• A second year of no parade competition. Apparently, there have been little to no complaints.
• Some judges are working all day; others are working the three a.m.or the three p.m. classes.
• Dr. Peter Griffin has departed; the new contest director is Professor Barry Houser, director of the Marching Illini.
• Weather: Anything is possible, but the sun usually shines for U of I.  Currently, the weather calls for mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Best of luck to all the bands!