Shows for the weekend of September 27, 2025

[Dan Balash]

Week 4 already.  Hard to believe that there are only 2.5 weeks until ISU.  5 in state shows this weekend, and Lincoln-Way takes their talents on the road to the Bands of America Regional in Louisville, KY.

Bands of America Regional Championships: Louisville, KY

9:30 AM: North Hardin, KY
9:45 AM: Madison Southern, KY
10:00 AM: Madison Central, KY
10:15 AM: Center Grove, IN
10:30 AM: Jeffersonville, IN
10:45 AM: South Oldham, KY
11:00 AM: Castle, IN.

11:00 AM: Break

12:00 PM: Hamilton Southeastern, IN
12:15 PM: Brownsburg, IN
12:30 PM: Nicholas County, KY
12:45 PM: Decatur Central, IN
1:00 PM: Henry Clay, KY
1:15 PM: Paul Laurence Dunbar, KY
1:30 PM: Bourbon County, KY
1:45 PM: Garrard County, KY

2:00 PM: Break

2:30 PM: Lincoln-Way
2:45 PM: Anderson County, KY
3:00 PM: Floyd Central, IN
3:15 PM: Scottsburg, IN
3:30 PM: Beechwood, KY
3:45 PM: Grayson County, KY
4:00 PM: Carmel, IN

4:15 PM: Awards

Morton Marching Invitational: Morton, IL

Class 1A
4:15 PM: Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond
4:30 PM: Pleasant Plains
4:45 PM: Lewistown

5:00 PM: Break

Class 2A
5:15 PM: ROWVA
5:30 PM: LaSalle-Peru
5:45 PM: Prairie Central
6:00 PM: Macomb
6:15 PM: Jacksonville

6:30 PM: Break

Class 3A
7:15 PM: Kewanee
7:30 PM: Pekin Community
7:45 PM: East Peoria

Class 4A
8:00 PM: Rock Island
8:15 PM: Minooka Community
8:30 PM: Galesburg

Exb
8:45 PM: Morton

9:00 PM: Awards

Normal Marching Band Invitational: Bloomington, IL

Exb
3:45 PM: North Boone

Class 1A
4:00 PM: St. Joseph-Ogden
4:15 PM: Dwight Township
4:30 PM: MacArthur
4:45 PM: Arcola

5:00 PM: Break

Class 2A
5:45 PM: Sparta
6:00 PM: El Paso-Gridley
6:15 PM: Taylorville
6:30 PM: Olympia
6:45 PM: Williamsville

Class 3A
7:00 PM: Sandwich
7:15 PM: Danville
7:30 PM: University

7:45 PM: Break

Class 4A
8:00 PM: Dunlap
8:15 PM: Monticello
8:30 PM: Geneseo
8:45 PM: Pontiac Township

Exb
9:00 PM: Normal

9:15 PM: Awards

 

Panther Marching Band Festival: Charleston, IL

Class 1A
10:30 AM: Oblong
10:44 AM: Ridgeview
10:58 AM: Blue Ridge
11:12 AM: Okaw Valley
11:26 AM: Heritage

Class 2A
11:40 AM: Charleston
11:54 AM: Pinckneyville Community
12:08 PM: Cumberland
12:22 PM: Wesclin

12:36 PM: Break

Class 3A
12:50 PM: Carbondale
1:04 PM: Urbana
1:18 PM: Rochester

1:32 PM: Break

Class 4A
1:46 PM: Herscher
2:00 PM: Watseka Community
2:14 PM: Maroa-Forsyth
2:28 PM: Flora
2:42 PM: Mater Dei

2:56 PM: Break

Class 5A
3:10 PM: Richland County
3:24 PM: Paxton-Buckley-Loda
3:38 PM: Robinson
3:52 PM: Lincoln Community
4:06 PM: Centralia

Exb
4:20 PM: EIU Panther Marching Band

4:34 PM: Awards

Class 6A
5:30 PM: Mt. Zion
5:44 PM: Newton
5:58 PM: Mattoon

Class 7A
6:12 PM: Marion
6:26 PM: Paris Cooperative
6:40 PM: Alton

6:54 PM: Break

Class 8A
7:08 PM: Champaign Centennial
7:22 PM: Granite City
7:36 PM: Mascoutah
7:50 PM: Belleville West

Exb
8:10 PM: EIU Panther Marching Band

8:30 PM: Awards

 

Prospect Knight of Champions: Mt. Prospect, IL

Class 1A
4:15 PM: Fenton
4:30 PM: H.D. Jacobs
4:45 PM: Glenbrook North
5:00 PM: Huntley
5:15 PM: Wheeling

5:30 PM: Break

Class 2A
5:45 PM: Lake Park
6:00 PM: Batavia
6:15 PM: Elk Grove
6:30 PM: Round Lake

6:45 PM: Break

Class 3A
7:00 PM: Warren Township
7:15 PM: Grayslake North
7:30 PM: Plainfield North
7:45 PM: Alan B. Shepard
8:00 PM: Mundelein
8:15 PM: Rolling Meadows

Exb
8:30 PM: Prospect

8:45 PM: Awards

 

Providence Catholic High School Marching Band Invitational: New Lenox, IL

No schedule available at this time.

 

SIU Music & Motion: Carbondale, IL

Cancelled.

[Dan Balash]

Just now, Dan Balash said:

Panther Marching Band Festival: Charleston, IL

Little bit more on this show.  Oblong through Rochester are in "Scholastic" Classification.  This class will use modified BOA sheets by taking some of the focus off of General Effect.  They will have one Music General Effect judge instead of the standard two, and they will have two music performance ensemble judges instead.

The rest of the bands will be on normal BOA sheets (2 Music Performance, 2 Visual Performance, 2 Music GE, 1 Visual GE judge).

[Dan Balash]

22 hours ago, Dan Balash said:

Providence Catholic High School Marching Band Invitational: New Lenox, IL

 

 

 

Class 2A
4:00 PM: Warren Township

Class 1A
4:15 PM: Dwight D. Eisenhower
4:30 PM: Bloom Township

Class 2A
4:45 PM: Downers Grove South
5:00 PM: Victor J. Andrew
5:15 PM: Plainfield Central
5:30 PM: A.A. Stagg
5:45 PM: Wheaton North

Exb
6:00 PM: Cornerstone Drumline

6:15 PM: Break

Class 3A
6:45 PM: East Aurora
7:00 PM: Yorkville
7:15 PM: Marian Catholic

Exb
7:30 PM: Providence Catholic

7:45 PM: Awards

[Contranator]

Does anyone have predictions for this week? 

[Band]

Predictions for Morton and Normal:

Morton Marching Invitational

A staple of the Central Illinois marchign scene, this festival has had a few different formats throughout the years. I believe it use to allign with the local Morton pumpkin festival, then was a a prelims/finals show for a couple years. And is now a mid-season show and as always has an AMAZING pannel of judges. 

Class 1A
Could go any way here. Without a ton of knowledge I'm not sure I can confidently make a prediction here. 
Class 2A
All of these programs have made strides in the last few years. Macomb may be the classic pick here based on historical background, but I think I'm going to go with LaSalle-Peru as my pick here based on a strong showing at Washington.
Class 3A
East Peoria was above Pekin at Limestone and I would predict they are in the number one spot in 3A. That said, Pekin and Kewannee seem to be having good years and could upset here. 
Class 4A
Another interesting class here. Rock Island has made big moves over the last decade, and is my pick here. These three programs all take pretty different approaches to their shows, and it could go any way. 4A winner looks to be the GC whoever they are.
 

Normal Marching Band Invitational

Class 1A
Dwight Township is my pick here, but this class looks to be a close one. 
Class 2A
El Paso-Gridley has taken big competitive moves in the last couple years and have had a good season thus far it appears. They are my pick here! Exciting to see a couple newcomers (?) to the competitive scene here in this class.
Class 3A
University is my pick for 3A after a strong placement at Pontiac. Special shout out to the best school name in Illinois- SANDWHICH!
Class 4A
Geneseo was over Dunlap at Limestone, but could definitely flip here. Similarly Pontiac was ahead of Dunlap by just a hair at Washington. Monticello has yet to compete this year. I'm going to give the nod to Monticello, based on previous year's momentum, but this will be a FUN class to watch for anyone in attendance.  

 

 

[Dan Balash]

BOA Louisville: Carmel to win, Lincoln-Way 5th, with Castle, Brownsburg and possibly Center Grove ahead of them.

Prospect:

A: 1) H.D. Jacobs 2) Huntley 3) Glenbrook North

AA: 1) Batavia 2) Lake Park 3) Elk Grove

AAA: 1) Plainfield North 2) Warren Township 3) Rolling Meadows

GC:  Plainfield North

Providence Catholic:

A: 1) D.D. Eisenhower 2) Bloom Township

AA: 1) Victor J. Andrew 2) Plainfield Central 3) Warren Township

AAA: 1) Marian Catholic 2) Yorkville 3) East Aurora

GC:  Marian Catholic

 

I'll edit with the rest later.

 

 

[ILBandFan]

Morton:
Honestly I don’t know enough about 1a 2a or 3a to make an accurate prediction on them. But 4a is definitely gonna be a fun class to watch. Galesburg, Rock Island, and Minooka are all very good programs. If we’re going off of last years results I think Rock Island takes it with Galesburg at a close second. But I also wouldn’t be surprised if Galesburg took first with Rock Island at a close second. It’s definitely up in the air for me for this class. It’s anyone’s game and I’m excited to see how it plays out

[Marchingmaniac88]

RE Morton 4A:

I'm going to comment specifically on 4A. I think it will be close between Rock Island & Galesburg. I have to go with Galesburg but it is contingent on whether their staff has made strides in cleaning since IVC last weekend. Galesburg has an extrodinary knack for cleaning shows quickly and if they pull this talent out here, I forsee a really good show on field. TBD, I am excited. 

[Zdsmith]

This will probably be my only prediction but I have some time and some of my director friends are in action this weekend. There is no science behind these predictions 🙂

 

 

Morton Marching Invitational: Morton, IL

Class 1A
Go Lewistown!
Class 2A
Go LaSalle-Peru (my best friend teachers here)
Class 3A
Go EP!
Class 4A
Go Galesburg!
Exb
Morton will definitely win the exhibition class!

Normal Marching Band Invitational: Bloomington, IL

Class 1A
Go Dwight!

Class 2A
Go Taylorville!

Class 3A
Go fighting Dans!

Class 4A
Go Geneso!

Panther Marching Band Festival: Charleston, IL

Class 1A
Go Oblongs!
Class 2A
Go Pville Panthers! (another bestie band!)
Class 3A
Go Carbondale! (another bestie band!)
Class 4A
Go Mater Dei!
Class 5A
Go Centralia! (Another bestie band!
Exb
EIU will definitely win the collegiate band division!
Class 6A
Go fighting Newts!
Class 7A
Go Wildcats! (Another bestie band!)
Class 8A
Go Mascoutah (A good friend!)

Prospect Knight of Champions: Mt. Prospect, IL

Class 1A
Go Jacobs! 
Class 2A
Go Batavia!
Class 3A
Go Meadows (bestie band!)

Exb
8:30 PM: Prospect GO KNIGHTS (PMK alum lol)

 

 

 

None of these are done based on anything other than if my friends work there. If two friends were in a class, its truly a tossup in first and second between my two friends. 🙂

[Band]

More Predictions!

 

Panther Marching Band Festival: Charleston, IL

I will be curious to see how this new format plays out for EIU and if others follow suit. 

Class 1A
I believe it was previously established the Herritage is one of the smallest high schools with a competitive marching band in the state. They have had really solid performances and are my pick here!
Class 2A
Nothing really informing my picks in this class, bust lets give Charleston the nod for this being essentially a home show for them!
Class 3A
I suspect these three will all be pretty close, but Carbondale comes out on top


Class 4A
Herscher, Watseka and and Mater Dei all have long histories of being strong small band contenders. I predict they are in the top three together, with Herscher leading the group.
Class 5A
Centralia has made a push in the last couple years and are my picks here in 5A, and I predict Lincoln and Richland County to round out the top 3. 
Class 6A
Newton is another longstanding competitor in this part of the state and looks to be the 6a winner. 
Class 7A
Paris is my pick for 7a with Alton not too far behind.
Class 8A
Granite City and Mascoutah will be in the top 2 spots. Mascoutah was ahead of GC last year at EIU, but I do think it could go either way!

 

Prospect Knight of Champions: Mt. Prospect, IL

Class 1A
This feels like a tough class to predict, especially as several of these programs have changed a lot int he last couple years. I'll pick HD Jacobs followed by Huntley.
Class 2A
Batavia is my pick for the number 1 spot, Elk Grove and Lake park fight it out for 2nd. 
Class 3A
Plainfield North looks to win 3a and GC!

BOA Louisville: I agree with Dan! Carmel is the favorite to win. Lincoln Way makes finals easily, likely (but not guaranteed) in the top half. 

 

Providence Catholic:

Class 1A
Eisenhower! But a BIG shoutout to Bloom who entered the competitive scene just a few years a go and has shown great growth!
Class 2A
Victor J Andrew followed not far behind by Plainfield Central, and Warren Township
Class 3A
Marian Catholic wins 3a and GC, but by only a hair over VJA
 

[Dan Balash]

Morton:

1A: 1) Lewistown 2) ALAH 3) Pleasant Plains

2A: 1) Macomb 2) La-Salle Peru 3) ROWVA

3A: 1) East Peoria 2) Pekin 3) Kewanee

4A: This is a really tough class.  I think it's going to be tight between Galesburg and Rock Island.  1) Galesburg 2) Rock Island 3) Minooka

GC: Galesburg

 

Normal:

1A: 1) St. Joseph-Ogden 2) Dwight Township 3) Arcola

2A: 1) El Paso-Gridley 2) Taylorville 3) Olympia

3A: 1) Danville 2) UHigh 3) Sandwich

4A: 1) Geneseo 2) Monticello 3) Dunlap

GC: Geneseo

 

EIU:

Scholastic D 1) Oblong 2) Okaw Valley 3) Heritage

Scholastic B: 1) Wesclin 2) Cumberland 3) Pinckneyville

Scholastic A: 1) Urbana 2) Carbondale 3) Rochester

Open D 1) Herscher 2) Watseka 3) Mater Dei

Open C 1) Centralia 2) PBL 3) Richland County

Open B: 1) Newton 2) Mt. Zion 3) Mattoon

Open A: 1) Paris 2) Marion 3) Alton

Open AA: 1) Champaign Centennial 2) Granite City 3) Belleville West

[newtonmarchgeaglealum2000]

I’m not sure I agree with open D. Mater Dei is going to take it all. I’d also give a nod to Maroa-Forsyth

Edited September 27 by newtonmarchgeaglealum2000

[longlive63777]

Looking at Prospect scores….I thought Warren was in 3A tonight, not 2A. No shade being thrown, they did fantastic and deserve a great score, just curious!! Congrats to all the bands! 

[MortonLovey]

G burg!!!

[ILBandFan]

I’ll be completely honest after I saw rock island and Minooka take the field I was pretty convinced minooka was taking first with rock island at a close second. Congrats to Galesburg on Grand Champs and congrats to all the other bands who performed tonight!

[Marching4Lyfe]

Amazing competition tonight at Morton! Amazing performances by all the bands tonight! I'm very impressed with Galesburgs performance tonight as well. All bands definitley worked hard for this and were great to watch. Galesburg has DEFINITLEY improved from last years "Broken Time" show. Overall all bands were great throughout the night.

[MortonLovey]

18 minutes ago, MortonLoveyILoveEmpey said:

G burg!!!

Yep!

[Dan Balash]

Providence Catholic:

A:

1. 62.825 Dwight D. Eisenhower (Music, Visual, GE, Percussion, Color Guard)
2. 54.025 Bloom Township

AA:

1. 73.313 Victor J. Andrew (Music, Visual, GE, Percussion)
2. 72.025 Plainfield Central (Color Guard)
3. 66.200 Warren Township
4. 63.075 Wheaton North
5. 59.375 A.A. Stagg

AAA:

1. 77.000 Marian Catholic (Music, Visual, GE, Color Guard)
2. 65.925 Yorkville (Percussion)
3. 55.725 East Aurora

Providence Catholic 2025.pdf

[Dan Balash]

Bands of America Regional Championships: Louisville, KY

Prelims

Class A:

1. 70.500 Beechwood, KY (Visual)
2. 70.200 Bourbon County, KY (Music, GE)
3. 61.950 Garrard County, KY
4. 61.725 Scottsburg, IN
5. 57.250 Nicholas County, KY

AA:

1. 74.100 Paul Laurence Dunbar, KY (Music, Visual, GE)
2. 69.600 Anderson County, KY
3. 68.300 North Hardin, KY
4. 67.500 South Oldham, KY
5. 65.725 Grayson County, KY
6. 64.200 Madison Southern, KY

AAA:

1. 80.950 Castle, IN (Music, Visual, GE)
2. 72.450 Floyd Central, IN
3. 71.400 Henry Clay, KY
4. 71.200 Madison Central, KY
5. 67.950 Decatur Central, IN
6. 58.150 Jeffersonville, IN

AAAA:

1. 83.200 Carmel, IN (Music, Visual, GE)
2. 80.100 Brownsburg, IN
3. 76.900 Center Grove, IN
4. 76.650 Lincoln-Way
5. 67.350 Hamilton Southeastern, IN

 

Finals:

1. 83.350 Carmel, IN (Music, Visual, GE)
2. 81.450 Castle, IN
3. 80.900 Brownsburg, IN
4. 77.900 Paul Laurence Dunbar, KY
5. 77.800 Center Grove, IN
6. 77.100 Lincoln-Way
7. 73.450 Madison Central, KY
8. 72.750 Floyd Central, IN
9. 72.350 Beechwood, KY
10. 72.000 Anderson, KY
11. 70.950 Henry Clay, KY
12. 70.650 Bourbon County, KY

2025-BOA-Kentucky-Regional-Finals-Recap.pdf 2025-BOA-Kentucky-Regional-Prelims-Recap.pdf

[Dan Balash]

Morton:

1A:

1. 55.650 Lewistown (Music, GE, Percussion, Auxiliary)
2. 54.600 Pleasant Plains (Visual)
3. 50.750 Arthur-Lovington-Atwood-Hammond

2A:

1. 71.575 LaSalle-Peru (Music, Visual, GE, Percussion)
2. 65.650 Macomb
3. 62.900 Prairie Central
4. 61.750 ROWVA
5. 61.275 Jacksonville (Color Guard)

3A:

1. 71.000 East Peoria (Music, Visual, GE, Percussion, Color Guard)
2. 68.050 Pekin Community
3. 67.100 Kewanee

4A:

1. 77.375 Galesburg (Visual, GE, Color Guard)
2. 76.450 Minooka Community (Music)
3. 73.950 Rock Island (Percussion)

ALL CLASSES RECAP - 2025 Morton Marching Invitational (1).pdf

[IL Marching.Fan]

On the spreadsheets it says Minooka and Galesburg tied in music?

[marchinglover36]

1 hour ago, IL Marching.Fan said:

On the spreadsheets it says Minooka and Galesburg tied in music?

They tied in Music, so the tiebreaker was Music GE, which Minooka won by .1

[Suburbanbandfan]

Prospect Knight of Champions

A. 1st - Jacob’s (M, GE) 2nd ( - Huntley (V, Percussion) 3rd - Glenbrook North (Aux) 

AA. 1st - Warren Township (M, GE, Percussion) 2nd - Lake Park 3rd - Batavia (V, Aux) 

AAA. 1st - Plainfield North (All captions) 2nd - Mundelein 3rd - Grayslake North 

[Dan Balash]

EIU Panther Marching Band Festival:

Scholastic D

1. 56.850 Okaw Valley (Music, Visual (tie), Percussion, Color Guard)
2. 55.750 Blue Ridge
3. 55.350 Ridgeview (Visual (tie))
4. 54.200 Oblong
5. 53.600 Heritage

Scholastic B

1. 66.050 Wesclin (Music, Visual, Percussion)
2. 58.600 Pinckneyville Community
3. 57.350 Charleston (Color Guard)
4. 56.160 Cumberland

Scholastic A

1. 65.300 Carbondale (Visual)
2. 65.160 Urbana (Music, Percussion, Color Guard)
3. 61.710 Rochester

Scholastic Champion: Wesclin

 

Open D

1. 66.600 Mater Dei (Music, GE, Percussion)
2. 62.900 Herscher (Visual, Color Guard)
3. 62.450 Maroa-Forsyth
4. 61.100 Watseka Community
5. 56.200 Flora

Open C

1. 71.100 Centralia (Music, Visual, GE, Percussion, Color Guard)
2. 65.100 Lincoln Community
3. 64.400 Richland County
4. 63.460 Robinson
5. 62.700 Paxton-Buckley-Loda

Open B

1. 71.200 Mt. Zion (Music, Visual, GE)
2. 69.200 Newton (Percussion, Color Guard)
3. 67.250 Mattoon

Open A:

1. 73.900 Paris Cooperative (Music, Visual, GE, Percussion, Color Guard)
2. 69.800 Alton 
3. 66.100 Marion

Open AA:

1. 77.450 Granite City (Music (tie), Visual, GE, Percussion)
2. 76.400 Mascoutah (Music (tie))
3. 74.450 Belleville West (Color Guard)
4. 70.150 Champaign Centennial

[Marchingmaniac88]

17 hours ago, Marching4Lyfe said:

Amazing competition tonight at Morton! Amazing performances by all the bands tonight! I'm very impressed with Galesburgs performance tonight as well. All bands definitley worked hard for this and were great to watch. Galesburg has DEFINITLEY improved from last years "Broken Time" show. Overall all bands were great throughout the night.

I know Galesburg has been one of the primary centers of discussion on this forum this year...I just can't help but to feel like they're gonna be really freaking good, really soon (next couple years) assuming now major staff changes. Any other thoughts on this? They've got staff that is intertwined with Morton as well and the show style (especially this year) kind of reflects as much.