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Shows for the weekend of September 20, 2025


Dan Balash

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5 show weekend, and a good weekend of shows at that.

 

Geneseo Maple Leaf Classic, Geneseo, IL

Class 1A
3:00 PM: Orion
3:15 PM: Sherrard
3:30 PM: Galva
3:45 PM: Rockridge

4:00 PM: Break

Class 2A
4:15 PM: Streator Township
4:30 PM: Rock Falls
4:45 PM: Rochelle Township
5:00 PM: Macomb
5:15 PM: Western Dubuque, IA

5:30 PM: Break

Class 3A
5:45 PM: United Township
6:00 PM: Bettendorf, IA
6:15 PM: Minooka Community

Exb
6:40 PM: Geneseo
7:00 PM: Western Illinois University

7:30 PM: Awards

 

Grey Ghost Classic: Chillicothe, IL

Class 1A
4:00 PM: St. Joseph-Ogden
4:15 PM: Farmington
4:30 PM: Dwight D. Eisenhower

4:45 PM: Break

Class 2A
5:00 PM: Richwoods
5:15 PM: Danville
5:30 PM: Kewanee

5:45 PM: Break

Class 4A
7:00 PM: Pekin Community
7:15 PM: Normal
7:30 PM: Galesburg

7:45 PM: Break

Class 5A
8:00 PM: Champaign Central
8:15 PM: Morton

Exb
8:30 PM: Illinois Valley Central

8:45 PM: Awards

 

Plainfield South Marching Band Invitational: Plainfield, IL

Class 3A
4:45 PM: Lincoln-Way
5:00 PM: Plainfield East
5:15 PM: Waubonsie Valley

5:30 PM: Break

Class 2A
5:45 PM: Bremen
6:00 PM: Sandwich
6:15 PM: Wheaton Warrenville South
6:30 PM: Lemont
6:45 PM: Kaneland

Exb
7:00 PM: Plainfield South

7:15 PM: Awards

 

Red and Black Fall Classic: DeKalb, IL

Class 1A
2:15 PM: Crete-Monee
2:30 PM: Genoa-Kingston
2:45 PM: Richards
3:00 PM: H.D. Jacobs
3:15 PM: Marengo
3:30 PM: Coal City
3:45 PM: Lakes Community

4:00 PM: Break

Class 2A

4:15 PM: North Boone (festival class; comments only)
4:30 PM: Carl Sandburg
4:45 PM: Batavia
5:00 PM: Eureka
5:15 PM: Glenbrook South
5:30 PM: William Howard Taft
5:45 PM: Waukegan

Exb
6:00 PM: NIU Huskie Marching Band

6:15 PM: Awards

Class 3A
6:30 PM: Milton, WI
6:45 PM: Joliet West
7:00 PM: Romeoville
7:15 PM: Naperville Central
7:30 PM: DeKalb
7:45 PM: Waukee Northwest, IA
8:00 PM: Oswego

8:15 PM: Break

Class 4A

8:30 PM: Davenport Central, IA
8:45 PM: South Elgin
9:00 PM: East Aurora
9:15 PM: Yorkville
9:30 PM: John Hersey

Exb
9:45 PM: NIU Huskie Marching Band

10:00 PM: Awards

 

Tiger Ambush Classic: Edwardsville, IL

Class 1A
2:15 PM: Carlyle
2:30 PM: Wesclin
2:45 PM: Hillsboro
3:00 PM: Mt. Carmel

3:15 PM: Break

Class 2A
3:30 PM: Mattoon
3:45 PM: Effingham
4:00 PM: Waterloo
4:15 PM: Civic Memorial

4:45 PM: Awards

Class 3A
6:30 PM: Parkway North, MO
6:45 PM: Highland
7:00 PM: Triad
7:15 PM: Parkway West, MO

7:30 PM: Break

Class 4A
7:45 PM: Belleville West
8:00 PM: O'Fallon Township
8:15 PM: Marquette, MO

Exb
8:30 PM: Edwardsville

8:45 PM: Awards

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Just now, Dan Balash said:

Plainfield South Marching Band Invitational: Plainfield, IL

Class 3A
4:45 PM: Lincoln-Way
5:00 PM: Plainfield East
5:15 PM: Waubonsie Valley

5:30 PM: Break

Class 2A
5:45 PM: Bremen
6:00 PM: Sandwich
6:15 PM: Wheaton Warrenville South
6:30 PM: Lemont
6:45 PM: Kaneland

Exb
7:00 PM: Plainfield South

7:15 PM: Awards

 

 

Loving the fact that 3A and 2A are rotated here so the smaller bands (hopefully) get to perform for larger crowds.

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Geneseo Maple Leaf Classic, Geneseo, IL

Class 1A: First show for all of these groups I believe. I'll pick Sherrard, but with nothing really informing that
Class 2A: Western Dubuque is not a group we have seen over in Illinois (at least not much), so without knowing them at all I think Macomb and Streator look to be in the top two spots here at least of the Illinois Bands. 
Class 3A:  Minooka is my pick here for Class 3A and grand champion. Minooka has a long band history and in recent years has held their own at large, highly competitive shows. They feel like the "big dog" at this show.

 

Grey Ghost Classic: Chillicothe, IL ***NEW SHOW!!!!***

Class 1A: This is Eisenhower's 3rd straight weekend and they did Grayslake! Lots of shows and with multiple 1st place finishes, they are the pick to wind Class 1A here. 
Class 2A: All programs that have taken steps in the last couple years. I'll give the nod to Kewanee for this one, with Danville and Richwoods not far behind. 
Class 4A: Normal and Galesburg saw each other two weeks ago. Normal is my pick for first, with Galesburg in second. Both programs have made great strides in the last few years and are really helping to set the example/raise the bar in central Illinois.
Class 5A: Morton is the 5a and GC pick here. Champaign Central is a solid band (with an exceptional jazz program), however I think it can generally be agreed the Morton is is at a level matched only by about 2 other programs in the state. 

 

Plainfield South Marching Band Invitational: Plainfield, IL

Class 3A: Lincoln-Way (GC). Same comment as with Morton- Lincon-Way is simply in tier by them selves here. 
Class 2A: Lemont  has long been a strong competitive marching program, and has alreayd seen some success this season. They look to continue that here with a 3A win. 

 

I'll be back for Edwardsville and NIU predictions later!

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More PREDICTIONS!

 

Red and Black Fall Classic: DeKalb, IL

Class 1A
I think this ultimately a showdown between HD Jacobs and Lakes. Although they have not seen each other head to head in recent years. I'll give the nod to HD Jacobs but should be a fun class to watch!

4:00 PM: Break

Class 2A

This looks to be a really interesting class. Batavia is my pick to win here. Althought things could be pretty tight throughout the whole class. 


Class 3A
Not sure about the out of state contenders here, but based on the in state groups and their recent success, my pick is Romeoville. Oswego has upped their competitive game in recent years, and I think along with Naperville Central they round out the top 3.


Class 4A
Davenport Central has been a leader of Iowa bands coming over and competing in Illinois. They are consistently solid and are my pick to win here along with being the GC

 

 

Tiger Ambush Classic: Edwardsville, IL

Looks like fewer of the Missouri bands this year, as sometimes this contest is like 50/50 Illinois and Missouri groups. 

Class 1A
Hillsboro and Mt. Carmel are both solid picks here. Missouri bands have tended to do quite well here in the past, but it looks like Hillsboro has not been here (at least recently). And it looks like Mt. Carmel won their class at TAC a the last time they were 

Class 2A
Effingham looks to build on their success form last week at MEMC, and Waterloo is my pick for second not far behind.

Class 3A
Parkway West was last year's 2A winner, but Highland in 3A had a pretty good margin on them. So I'll go with Highland, but could go another way for sure. 

Class 4A
O'Fallon (GC). As I commented about Lincolnway and Morton, they are just in their own league. 
 

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Predictions:

Geneseo
1A: Sherrard (I will confess these are not groups I know a ton about)
2A: Macomb
3A: Minooka (GC)

IVC
1A: Dwight D. Eisenhower
2A: Richwoods (Could be Danville)
4A: Normal
5A: Morton (GC)

Plainfield South
2A: 
Lemont
3A: Lincoln-Way (GC)

NIU
1A: H.D. Jacobs
2A: Batavia (Curious to see margin to Eureka)
3A: Romeoville (Intriguing class)
4A: John Hersey (GC) (Could be Davenport Central)

Tiger Ambush
1A: 
Hillsboro (I think this is Hillsboro, MO. If not, then Mt. Carmel)
2A: Effingham
3A: Triad
4A: O'Fallon (GC)
 

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11 minutes ago, TheAngryBavarian said:

Predictions:

Geneseo
1A: Sherrard (I will confess these are not groups I know a ton about)
2A: Macomb
3A: Minooka (GC)

IVC
1A: Dwight D. Eisenhower
2A: Richwoods (Could be Danville)
4A: Normal
5A: Morton (GC)

Plainfield South
2A: 
Lemont
3A: Lincoln-Way (GC)

NIU
1A: H.D. Jacobs
2A: Batavia (Curious to see margin to Eureka)
3A: Romeoville (Intriguing class)
4A: John Hersey (GC) (Could be Davenport Central)

Tiger Ambush
1A: 
Hillsboro (I think this is Hillsboro, MO. If not, then Mt. Carmel)
2A: Effingham
3A: Triad
4A: O'Fallon (GC)
 

it's Hillsboro, IL, making their competitive debut.

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It's all good buddy! That's deep ball knowledge, and I only know it because I remember helping my best friend, the director at the time, prepare for it. You're all good!
 

Impossible to know everything that goes on in this state and you still do a great job of it!

I like band!

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Predictions:

IVC:
A:
 1) D.D. Eisenhower 2) Farmington 3) St. Joseph-Ogden

2A: 1) Richwoods 2) Danville 3) Kewanee

4A: 1) Normal 2) Galesburg 3) Pekin Community

5A: 1) Morton 2) Champaign Central

GC: Morton

 

Plainfield South:

2A: 1) Lemont 2) Wheaton Warrenville South 3) Kaneland

3A: 1) Lincoln-Way 2) Waubonsie Valley 3) Plainfield East

GC: Lincoln-Way

 

NIU:

I hope that I don't get annoyed as can be at the scores again this year.  Here's hoping that fiasco from last year is rectified.  This is a very good show this year with some high quality out of stand bands.  

1A: 1) H.D. Jacobs 2) Richards 3) Lakes Community

2A: 1) Batavia 2) Eureka 3) Carl Sandburg

3A: Will be close, I think.  1) Romeoville 2)Oswego 3) Split between Waukee Northwest and Naperville Central, with a point separating Waukee Northwest and Naperville Central at BOA Iowa last year, with Northwest coming out on top.  I'll go with my Illinois homerism and pick Naperville Central.

4A: 1) John Hersey 2) Davenport Central 3) Yorkville

GC:  Going to be close.  I'll go with John Hersey.  Still feels odd that they're ending their season here.

 

Geneseo:

1A: 1) Sherrard 2) Galva 3) Rockridge.  One of the most unpredictable classes of the weekend.

2A:  1) Macomb 2) Rock Falls 3) Streator Township

3A: 1) Minooka Community 2) United Township 3) Bettendorf, IA

GC: Minooka

 

Edwardsville:

1A: 1) Mt. Carmel 2) Wesclin 3) Carlyle

2A: 1) Effingham 2) Waterloo 3) Civic Memorial

3A: 1) Parkway West 2) Triad 3) Highland

4A: 1) O'Fallon Township 2) Belleville West 3) Marquette

GC: O'Fallon Township

 

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20 minutes ago, Band said:

Awesome! Also total throwback to McKendree hosting a show!

Wild when you see what used to be on the schedule.

  • Lake Park as a prelims/finals show
  • Stagg as a midseason, Sunday show
  • St. Rita with a Sunday show
  • Atwood-Hammond, Olympia, Sparta, Wheaton North, Metropolis all had shows.
  • Alton had a long running show.
  • Greater St. Louis used to be at the Dome at America's Center, with 40+ bands.
  • Everyone and their mother had a parade.
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4 minutes ago, Dan Balash said:

Wild when you see what used to be on the schedule.

  • Lake Park as a prelims/finals show
  • Stagg as a midseason, Sunday show
  • St. Rita with a Sunday show
  • Atwood-Hammond, Olympia, Sparta, Wheaton North, Metropolis all had shows.
  • Alton had a long running show.
  • Greater St. Louis used to be at the Dome at America's Center, with 40+ bands.
  • Everyone and their mother had a parade.

Sunday shows give me the heebie jeebies. Let me have one day of rest PLEASE Lol

I like band!

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57 minutes ago, Dan Balash said:

Wild when you see what used to be on the schedule.

  • Lake Park as a prelims/finals show
  • Stagg as a midseason, Sunday show
  • St. Rita with a Sunday show
  • Atwood-Hammond, Olympia, Sparta, Wheaton North, Metropolis all had shows.
  • Alton had a long running show.
  • Greater St. Louis used to be at the Dome at America's Center, with 40+ bands.
  • Everyone and their mother had a parade.

DGS was a Prelims/Finals as well, right?

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1 hour ago, Suburbanbandfan said:

Yes! DGS was prelims/finals. After Covid shows under that format went to a single performance. I wouldn’t mind seeing that return either with LW/NIU/DGS shows

Yeah, and Grand Champion later on was named based on an asinine prelims/finals combo score, so when Greendale, WI won prelims in 2016 by 3 points, and then Lake Park won finals by 1.1 over Greendale, Greendale was named as Grand Champions.

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9/20 Predictions

Geneseo

1A: Sherrard

2A: Rochelle

3A/GC: Minooka

 

IVC

1A: Eisenhower

2A: Richwoods

4A: Normal

5A/GC: Morton

 

Plainfield South

2A: Lemont

3A/GC: Lincoln-Way

 

DeKalb

1A: H.D. Jacobs

2A: Batavia 

3A: Romeoville

4A/GC: John Hersey

 

Edwardsville

1A: Mt. Carmel

2A: Waterloo

3A: Parkway West, MO

4A/GC: O'Fallon

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20 hours ago, Dan Balash said:

Yeah, and Grand Champion later on was named based on an asinine prelims/finals combo score, so when Greendale, WI won prelims in 2016 by 3 points, and then Lake Park won finals by 1.1 over Greendale, Greendale was named as Grand Champions.

That sure is a way to judge marching band!

I like band!

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Tiger Ambush Small Schools

1A 

1st - Wesclin (All Captions) 

2nd - Hillsboro

3rd - Carlyle 

2A 

1st - Effingham (Color Guard) 

2nd - Waterloo (Music, Percussion) 

3rd - Civic Memorial 

 

One of the visual judges got moved to be an additional music judge while the other judge still judged whatever visuals were present, and the visual caption was removed. No GE caption was ever planned but GE was on the sheets. We were told that the sheets would be modified in some way to try and keep it as true to the original calculations as possible, but it's unclear how that was done. No recaps yet. 

 

I also just want to say how incredible it was to see all the adults in attendance come together to help one another and to make the best of things for the kids, both staff and volunteers. And so inspiring to see all the kids rise to the occasion all day long. Keep it up everyone! 

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Grey Ghost Classic Results

1A - 1) Dwight D. Eisenhower (Winds, Visual, Aux), 2) Farmington, 3) St. Joseph-Odgen

2A - 1) Kewanee, 2) Danville (Aux), 3) Richwoods

4A - 1) Normal (Winds, Visual, Aux), 2) Galesburg, 3) Pekin

5A - 1) Morton (Winds, Visual, Aux), 2) Champaign Central

GC: Morton

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