Magnichu Posted September 18 Share Posted September 18 On 9/17/2025 at 8:37 AM, Dan Balash said: My occasional dyslexia strikes again. Edwardsville is actually at 2360, which SHOULD move them into 5A and O'Fallon Township into 6A. I still don't think ISU cares about making each class even, I know 2022 they didn't. I'm sure there is a hard cap on enrollment for each class. I would think they would make 3A/4A more flexible if not since they only have 9. Should be 14 bands per session, 7 per class if it were even. I could be wrong, of course. If Macomb is in 1A, I will concede defeat (I think 650 is the cap). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marchingband012 Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 I personally think that isu should be classed by band size and not school size, for example Morton has won 2a for how many years now? Just a thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnichu Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 28 minutes ago, Marchingband012 said: I personally think that isu should be classed by band size and not school size, for example Morton has won 2a for how many years now? Just a thought While it isn't a perfect system, band size would kind of defeat the purpose of finals. The 6A champion would basically be the state champion automatically Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamwhoiam Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 8 hours ago, Magnichu said: While it isn't a perfect system, band size would kind of defeat the purpose of finals. The 6A champion would basically be the state champion automatically Having something in the direct control of the band be part of class determination could have unintended consequences (i.e. bands cutting members to fit into a class). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnichu Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 1 hour ago, iamwhoiam said: Having something in the direct control of the band be part of class determination could have unintended consequences (i.e. bands cutting members to fit into a class). Completely agree. Small schools would be dead in the water with today's climate as well. For example Batavia and Eureka in the same class for NIU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamwhoiam Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 I would not be opposed to Bands of America style prelims with bands of all classes playing throughout the day, with one set of class awards before finals. That would give some smaller bands the opportunity to play before the ever growing evening crowd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Balash Posted September 19 Author Share Posted September 19 6 minutes ago, iamwhoiam said: I would not be opposed to Bands of America style prelims with bands of all classes playing throughout the day, with one set of class awards before finals. That would give some smaller bands the opportunity to play before the ever growing evening crowd. Not possible though as the judges shift between classes. Unless they do ISU like they do BOA Super Regionals and Nationals, where they rotate out the judges on each break? Have 5 bands from each panel make finals, with the next 5 highest scoring bands regardless of panel in finals? Example: 40 band prelims, judging panel 1 judges bands 1-10, break, judging panel 2 judges 11-20, break, back to panel 1, break, panel 2, done with prelims. Dan Balash Submit your 2025 information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Balash Posted September 19 Author Share Posted September 19 37 minutes ago, Dan Balash said: Not possible though as the judges shift between classes. Unless they do ISU like they do BOA Super Regionals and Nationals, where they rotate out the judges on each break? Have 5 bands from each panel make finals, with the next 5 highest scoring bands regardless of panel in finals? Example: 40 band prelims, judging panel 1 judges bands 1-10, break, judging panel 2 judges 11-20, break, back to panel 1, break, panel 2, done with prelims. 7:00, 7:15, 7:30,. 7:45, 8:00, 8:15, 8:30, 8:45, 9:00, 9:15 - Bands 1-10 9:30 Break, judges switch out 9:45, 10:00, 10:15, 10:30, 10:45, 11:00, 11:15, 11:30, 11:45, 12:00 - Bands 11-20 12:15 Break, Panel 1 back in 12:30, 12:45, 1:00, 1:15, 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, 2:45 - Bands 21-30 3:00 Break, Panel 2 back in 3:15, 3:30, 3:45, 4:00, 4:15, 4:30, 4:45, 5:00, 5:15, 5:30 - Bands 31-40 5:45 Big Red Marching Machine 6:00-6:30ish Awards, Class Champions named, announce finalists 7:30, 7:45, 8:00, 8:15, 8:30, 8:45, 9:00, 9:15, 9:30, 9:45, 10:00, 10:15, 10:30, 10:45 - Finals (bottom 7/top 7, with judges from Panel 1 and Panel 2 in different captions) 11:00 Awards Drawbacks: Long day, 1A champion possibly doesn't make finals under this format, Chicago area/south bands would push back with early start time. Dan Balash Submit your 2025 information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Balash Posted September 19 Author Share Posted September 19 Forgot to add this show: Rich Township Raptor Rumble is October 18. Dan Balash Submit your 2025 information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Balash Posted September 19 Author Share Posted September 19 Also, I know it's SUPER early, but open dates for ISU next year are currently September 26th, October 3rd and October 17th. Dan Balash Submit your 2025 information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RightFootCONTRAian Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 3 hours ago, Dan Balash said: Chicago area/south bands would push back with early start time. That sound you hear is every central IL band rolling their eyes collectively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnichu Posted September 19 Share Posted September 19 58 minutes ago, RightFootCONTRAian said: That sound you hear is every central IL band rolling their eyes collectively. Waking up at 2 or 3 AM for 4 years for ISU AFTER A FOOTBALL GAME was soooooo fun..... (Life of a 1A band) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IL Marching.Fan Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Spartan Classic - Romeoville, IL (A) 1:00PM - Bloom Township (A) 1:15PM - Lakes Community (A) 1:30PM - Marengo Community (A) 1:45PM - Rantoul Township (A) 2:00PM - Richards (AA) 2:15PM - Joliet West (AA) 2:30PM - Wheaton North (AAA) 2:45PM - Plainfield East (AAA) 3:00PM - Illinois Valley Central (EXH) 3:15PM - Metea Valley (EXH) 3:30PM - Romeoville (EXH) 3:45PM - Cornerstone Drumline 4:30 - Class A/AA/AAA Awards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saxyman Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 On 9/19/2025 at 11:25 AM, Dan Balash said: ...September 26th, October 3rd ... You take that back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moverholt Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 On 9/19/2025 at 1:36 PM, Magnichu said: Waking up at 2 or 3 AM for 4 years for ISU AFTER A FOOTBALL GAME was soooooo fun..... (Life of a 1A band) I definitely remember rolling into the school parking lot at 430am for ISU! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IL Marching.Fan Posted September 24 Share Posted September 24 Downers Grove South Marching Mustang Music Bowl: Downers Grove, IL - October 04, 2025 A 2:15 PM Morris Community High School Morris, IL A 2:30 PM Wheaton Warrenville South High School Wheaton, IL A 2:45 PM Glenbrook North High School Northbrook, IL A 3:00 PM Amos Alonzo Stagg High School Palos Hills, IL A 3:15 PM Argo Community High School Summit, IL 3:30 - 3:45 JUDGES’ BREAK A 3:45 PM Coal City High School Coal City, IL A 4:00 PM Eureka High School Eureka, IL A 4:15 PM Harry D. Jacobs High School Algonquin, IL A 4:30 PM Lemont High School Lemont, IL A 4:45 PM Kaneland High School Maple Park, IL 5:00 - 6:00 CLASS 1A AWARDS PRESENTATION / BREAK AA 6:00 PM Glenbrook South High School Glenview, IL AA 6:15 PM Naperville North High School Naperville, IL AA 6:30 PM Oak Park and River Forest High School Oak Park, IL AA 6:45 PM William Howard Taft High School Chicago, IL 7:00 - 7:15 JUDGES’ BREAK AA 7:15 PM Waukegan High School Waukegan, IL AA 7:30 PM Lake Park High School Roselle, IL AA 7:45 PM Plainfield South High School Plainfield, IL AA 8:00 PM Victor J. Andrew High School Tinley Park, IL 8:15 - 8:30 JUDGES’ BREAK AAA 8:30 PM Downers Grove North High School Downers Grove, IL AAA 8:45 PM Reavis High School Burbank, IL AAA 9:00 PM Bloomington High School Bloomington, IL EX 9:15 PM Downers Grove South High School Downers Grove, IL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Balash Posted September 24 Author Share Posted September 24 36 minutes ago, IL Marching.Fan said: AA 6:15 PM Naperville North High School Naperville, IL Welcome back! It's been a few years since they've competed. Dan Balash Submit your 2025 information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IVCDad Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 On 9/19/2025 at 11:25 AM, Dan Balash said: Also, I know it's SUPER early, but open dates for ISU next year are currently September 26th, October 3rd and October 17th. eek...better not be September 26th, that would be insanely early..and also we have that date penciled in as the second annual Grey Ghost Classic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zdsmith Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Hi all! The Blue and Gold Invitational hosted at Marion HS on 10/18/25 is looking for a large band or two to help balance out their classes. If you are interested (and located in the area) let Joel Kirby know at jkirby@marionunit2.org Go Band! I like band! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zdsmith Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 Hi all! Pinckneyville HS is also looking for some more groups (any size) for their Mardi Gras festival at the end of October. We'd be there if we weren't on the road! Reach out to Amber Nichols ASAP if you're interested or available! 🙂 https://ilmarching.com/festivals_detail.php?FestivalID=1282&archive=0 I like band! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILGuard Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 On 9/18/2025 at 10:32 PM, Marchingband012 said: I personally think that isu should be classed by band size and not school size, for example Morton has won 2a for how many years now? Just a thought I know how frustrating it can be to see smaller units compete against larger programs in this setting, but I think one of the better options is to have the two separate state competitions within 1 week apart. ISU should maintain the current style of marching competition, allowing any-sized unit to compete against larger ones. Additionally, the U of I should serve as the standard specifically for small (1A-3A only) and large programs (4A-6A only), as it does currently. On the same note, I've seen many small units beat larger units in the past, so it is also dependent on the program's training and approach. So I think that the rules are fair for the 1A/2A/3A bands, but I will only say that the top 3 of each class at ISU should be finalists instead of strictly scoring reasons after the first placement units. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zdsmith Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 My truest and honest opinion for U of I and ISU is a random draw. Keep the classes, but random draw all day. Chaos! I like band! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamwhoiam Posted September 26 Share Posted September 26 I mean, we should probably get our act together and have 1 state championship. I'd rather have a late sept/early oct BOA regional event to attract some bigger out of state bands to IL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Balash Posted September 26 Author Share Posted September 26 1 hour ago, iamwhoiam said: I mean, we should probably get our act together and have 1 state championship. I'd rather have a late sept/early oct BOA regional event to attract some bigger out of state bands to IL. Yeah, I’m not holding my breath on that. Dan Balash Submit your 2025 information! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marchingband012 Posted October 11 Share Posted October 11 (edited) Who’s ready for isu! Edited October 11 by Marchingband012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now