Blast from the Past

BRMMSax20 · December 30, 2024

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 · December 30, 2024

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 · January 17

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 · April 16

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 · April 23

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 · June 4

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 · Tuesday at 11:22 PM

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