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! 🙂