Blast from the Past

[BRMMSax20]

Thought until we might get the old forums threads back, we could resuscitate a thread devoted towards any questions, discussions, regarding marching band of yesteryear!
 

[BRMMSax20]

Thought the group might find this interesting! Here's a throwback to the 14th Annual ISU Band Day [now ISMBC] circa 1984. Check out all the small schools in attendance & the "large" school sessions. A very different competition than it is today! 

SESSION 1
8:00 Yorkwood† [now Monmouth United]
8:12 Ford Central
8:24 Lanark
8:36 Octavia [now Ridgeview (Colfax]
8:48 Forrest-Strawn-Wing† [merged w. Prairie Central]
9:00 LeRoy
9:12 Paxton [renamed Paxton-Buckley-Loda]
9:24 Farmer City-Mansfield [renamed to Blue Ridge]
9:36 Brown County (Mt. Sterling)
9:48 Winchester
10:00 Minonk-Dana-Rutland [renamed to Fieldcrest]
10:12 Fairbury-Cropsy† [now Prairie Central]
10:24 BREAK
SESSION 2
10:45 Pontiac
10:57 University (Normal)
11:09 Eureka
11:21 Olympia
11:33 Hall (Spring Valley)
11:45 Monticello
11:57 Newton
12:09 PM LUNCH BREAK
SESSION 3
1:15 Bloomington
1:27 O'Fallon
1:39 Plainfield† [now split into Plainfield School District 202]
1:51 MacArthur (Decatur)
2:03 Rochelle
2:15 Salem
2:27 BREAK
SESSION 4
2:40 Illinois Valley Central (Chillicothe)
2:52 Morton
3:04 Metamora
3:16 Normal Community [then located at what is now Kingsley Junior High next to ISU]
3:28 Marian Catholic (Chicago Heights)
SESSION 5
The article does not list a 5th session but notes the event consists of 40 bands and continues until 6 PM.
DINNER BREAK
8:15 FINALS
*†= School no longer exists / consolidated

Also noted are ticket prices of $4 & $2 for adults & students respectively.
Source: Chillicothe Times Bulletin

[Dan Balash]

I just received a binder full of history (scores, programs, etc.) from the early days of ISU courtesy of ISU, courtesy of Bruce Hammitt, former director of Fairbury-Cropsey.  I will be going through this (I feel like I should be wearing white gloves) and posting things from it.  

 

If you have anything old, send it my way!  I'd love to get a good history going of ISU, U of I, BOA events prior to 1985, Summer Nationals, history of local shows, whatever! 🙂

[Dan Balash]

On 1/17/2025 at 3:02 PM, Dan Balash said:

I just received a binder full of history (scores, programs, etc.) from the early days of ISU courtesy of ISU, courtesy of Bruce Hammitt, former director of Fairbury-Cropsey.  I will be going through this (I feel like I should be wearing white gloves) and posting things from it.  

 

If you have anything old, send it my way!  I'd love to get a good history going of ISU, U of I, BOA events prior to 1985, Summer Nationals, history of local shows, whatever! 🙂

Still going through it.  I have a spreadsheet of scores/word document of information compiled through 1980. 3 more years to go!

[ctr477]

On 4/16/2025 at 2:05 PM, Dan Balash said:

Still going through it.  I have a spreadsheet of scores/word document of information compiled through 1980. 3 more years to go!

I have been wanting to see ISU prelim scores for 1996 and 1998 for more than a quarter century! If you could post, I would be eternally grateful.

[Dan Balash]

Attached are scores along with a running commentary that I compiled from 1973-1983 of ISU.  Does anyone have scores/programs/etc. from 1983-on?

ISU History.docx ISU Score History.xlsx

[Dan Balash]

Bands of America has posted a ton of old recaps that haven't seen the light of day in years, including Summer Nationals, some forgotten about Illinois regionals, old Nationals results.  All links posted had at least one Illinois group in attendance.

 

1976 Summer Nationals Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1976-Summer-Prelims-Recap.pdf

1977:

Summer Nationals Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1977-Summer-Prelims-Recap.pdf

Summer Nationals Finals: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1977-Summer-Finals-Recap.pdf

 

1978:

Summer Nationals Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1978-Summer-Prelims-Recap.pdf

Summer Nationals Finals: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1978-Summer-Finals-Recap.pdf

 

1979:

Summer Nationals Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1979-Summer-Nationals-Prelims-Recap.pdf

Summer Nationals Finals: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1979-Summer-Nationals-Finals-Recap.pdf

 

1980: 

Summer Nationals Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1980-Summer-Nationals-Prelims-Recap.pdf

1981:

Summer Nationals Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1981-Summer-Nationals-Prelims-Recap.pdf

Summer Nationals Finals: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1981-Summer-Nationals-Finals-Recap.pdf

Grand Nationals (Plainfield attended): https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1981-Grand-Nationals-Prelims-Recap.pdf

 

1982:

Indianapolis, IN Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1982-Indianapolis-Regional-Prelims-Recap.pdf

Indianapolis, IN Finals: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1982-Indianapolis-Regional-Finals-Recap.pdf

Grand National Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1982-Grand-Nationals-Prelims-Recap.pdf

 

1984:

Summer National Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1984-Summer-Nationals-Prelims-Recap.pdf

Summer National Finals: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1984-Summer-Nationals-Finals-Recap.pdf

Joliet, IL Finals: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1984-Joliet-Regional-Finals-Recap.pdf

Grand National Prelims: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1984-Grand-Nationals-Prelims-Recap.pdf

Grand National Finals: https://marching.musicforall.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2025/06/1984-Grand-Nationals-Finals-Recap.pdf

 

 

 

 

[Dan Balash]

I am going to be receiving 1990-1998 (ish) ISU recaps soon and those will be posted to the site.  Does anyone have anything from ISU 1984-1989, or scoring recaps from 2000 to like 2008 for ISU?  If you have anything from any competition really (or if you know anyone who does), shoot me a message or a carrier pigeon or whatever. 🙂

[ctr477]

2 hours ago, Dan Balash said:

I am going to be receiving 1990-1998 (ish) ISU recaps soon and those will be posted to the site.  Does anyone have anything from ISU 1984-1989, or scoring recaps from 2000 to like 2008 for ISU?  If you have anything from any competition really (or if you know anyone who does), shoot me a message or a carrier pigeon or whatever. 🙂

ISU 1999: https://marching.com/events/1999/scores/102399.html#Normal

ISU 2000: https://marching.com/events/2000/scores/101400.html#Normal

ISU 2001: https://marching.com/events/2001/scores/102001.html#Normal

UofI 2002: https://marching.com/events/2002/scores/101902.html#Urbana

ISU 2003: https://marching.com/events/2003/scores/102503.html#Normal

 

[Dan Balash]

Just now, ctr477 said:

ISU 1999: https://marching.com/events/1999/scores/102399.html#Normal

ISU 2000: https://marching.com/events/2000/scores/101400.html#Normal

ISU 2001: https://marching.com/events/2001/scores/102001.html#Normal

UofI 2002: https://marching.com/events/2002/scores/101902.html#Urbana

ISU 2003: https://marching.com/events/2003/scores/102503.html#Normal

 

I'm looking for recap sheets as well. 🙂

[Dan Balash]

I was looking through some papers for some other things, and I came across some documents of U of I scores from 1972-1979 and 1981, top 3 in parade and field.  I will update this as I have time

1972:

Parade:

Class D

1) 90.50 - Dieterick

2) 87.00 - Crescent-Iroquois

3) 85.90 - Toluca

 

Class C

1) 87.60 - Dakota

2) 82.30 - Donovan

3) 82.10 - Minonk

 

Class B

1) 94.90 - Monticello

2) 91.90 - Herscher

3) 88.50 - Fairbury-Cropsey

 

Class A

1) 95.70 - Rock Falls

2) 95.40 -Warren Township

3) 89.40 - Bradley-Bourbonnais

 

Class AA

1) 98.60 - Wheeling

2) 95.30 - East Peoria

3) 93.70 - Galesburg

 

Field:

Class D

1) 72.80 - Oakland

2) 64.75 - Chatsworth

3) 64.60 - Melvin-Sibley

 

Class C

1) 78.55 - Dakota

2) 74.30 - Mt. Olive

3) 74.05 - Minonk

 

Class B

1) 88.45 - Herscher

2) 83.90 - Hoopeston Area

3) 82.40 - Fairbury-Cropsey

 

Class A

1) 86.30 - Warren Township

2) 85.10 - Bradley-Bourbonnais

3) 84.90 - Paris, Salem, Rock Falls (Tie)

 

Class AA:

1) 96.00 - Wheeling

2) 89.65 - Joliet Central

3) 88.70 - East Peoria

 

Grand Champion: Wheeling

[Dan Balash]

1973:

Parade:

Class D

1) 87.30 - Roberts-Thawville

2) 82.60 - Bethany

3) 81.70 - Toluca

 

Class C

1) 88.30 - ROWVA

2) 87.70- Cambridge

3) 84.50 - Minonk

 

Class B

1) 93.90 - Herscher

2) 93.60 - Fairbury-Cropsey

3) 91.80 - Monticello

 

Class A

1) 91.50 - Rock Falls

2) 89.40 -Warren Township

3) 84.90 - Champaign Central

 

Class AA

1) 95.40 - Wheeling

2) 92.90 - East Peoria

3) 89.80 - Galesburg

 

Field:

Class D

1) 75.45 - Bethany

2) 71.35 - Oakland

3) 64.55 - Gridley

 

Class C

1) 80.05 - Lincolnwood

2) 78.75 - Mt. Olive

3) 76.75 - Minonk

 

Class B

1) 90.15 - Dakota

2) 87.85 - Monticello

3) 85.50 - Herscher

 

Class A

1) 89.10 - Rock Falls

2) 87.95 - Champaign Central

3) 83.10 - Paris

 

Class AA:

1) 95.05 - Dundee

2) 87.95 - Wheeling

3) 88.65 - Joliet Central 

 

Grand Champion: Wheeling

[BRMMSax20]

21 hours ago, Dan Balash said:

1973:

Parade:

Class D

1) 87.30 - Roberts-Thawville

2) 82.60 - Bethany

3) 81.70 - Toluca

I love when I have to look up where these old high schools are. Roberts-Thawville is now split between Tri-Point, Iroquois West, & Paxton-Buckley-Loda. Bethany was just renamed to Okaw Valley. Fun fact about Roberts-Thawville, it was actually closed the following year in 1974.

Edited October 23 by BRMMSax20

[Dan Balash]

1974:

Parade:

Class D

1) 88.30 - Bethany

2) 86.10 - Toluca

3) 77.90 - Tri-Point

 

Class C

1) 94.60 - Minonk

2) 89.10 - Mt. Olive

3) 86.60 - St. Anthony

 

Class B

1) 94.10 - Herscher

2) 92.50 - Monticello

3) 90.80 - Dakota

 

Class A

1) 95.50 - Rock Falls

2) 92.60 - Warren Township

3) 89.90 - Carbondale

 

Class AA

1) 89.80 - Wheeling

2) 89.70 - Danville

3) 87.50 - Galesburg

 

Field:

Class D

1) 69.55 - Bethany

2) 64.05 - Oakland

3) 54.05 - Tri-Point

 

Class C

1) 82.95 - Lincolnwood

2) 77.25 - Mt. Olive

3) 75.10 - Minonk

 

Class B

1) 89.40 - Monticello

2) 88.50 - Herscher

3) 86.60 - Dakota & Unity (tie)

 

Class A

1) 93.95 - Rock Falls

2) 90.20 - Champaign Central

3) 88.45 - Salem

 

Class AA:

1) 95.10 - Wheeling

2) 93.00 - Joliet West

3) 87.65 - Danville 

 

Grand Champion: Rock Falls

[Dan Balash]

1975:

Parade:

Class D

1) 85.40 - Deland-Weldon

2) 78.20 - Toluca

3) 77.60 - Crescent-Iroquois

 

Class C

1) 81.70 - Minonk-Dana-Rutland

2) 78.60 - Forrest-Strawn-Wing

3) 76.10 - ROWVA

 

Class B

1) 91.90 - Monticello 

2) 83.20 - Watseka

3) 83.00 - Fairbuiry-Cropsey

 

Class A

1) 94.20 - Paris

2) 92.50 - Champaign Central

3) 91.30 - Mattoon

 

Class AA

1) 97.20 - Dundee

2) 89.00 - Wheeling

3) 86.90 - Galesburg

 

Field:

Class D

1) 67.30 - Gridley

2) 57.70 - Bethany

3) 53.85 - Oakland

 

Class C

1) 69.80 - Beecher

2) 64.85 - Minonk-Dana-Rutland

3) 64.35 - Lincolnwood-Raymond

 

Class B

1) 86.35 - Monticello

2) 78.15 - Fairbury-Cropsey

3) 76.70 - Watseka

 

Class A

1) 85.25 - Champaign Central

2) 82.85 - Salem

3) 77.50 - Mattoon

 

Class AA:

1) 89.95 - Dundee

2) 88.30 - Wheeling

3) 79.30 - Joliet West

 

Grand Champion: Dundee