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Since 1868, the Marching Illini has entertained millions of fans with traditional and innovative performances that have made them “The Nation’s Premier College Marching Band.”  The excellence of innovation continues and is very much alive today as the Marching Illini continues its pursuit of the highest levels of musical, visual, and thoroughly entertaining performances at the historic Memorial Stadium.

The Marching Illini is a select organization which annually includes many of the university’s finest and most dedicated students.  Members of the Marching Illini represent virtually every college and major on the university’s diverse campus.  This year’s Marching Illini totals 375 members, which include musicians, guard, the Illinettes Dance Team, drum majors, and the undergraduate and graduate staff members.

The Marching Illini halftime show is known for many distinct components, including a modified “ILLINI” formation created by A.A. Harding in the 1920s. Before this takes place, the pregame opener is performed with the Illinois state song, “Patriotic Melody,” “God Bless America,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and concludes with “America The Beautiful.” The traditional football halftime show performance includes a medley comprised by parts of “Pride of the Illini,” “March of the Illini” and “Hail to the Orange.” The Marching Illini also plays the national anthem, “Illinois Loyalty,” “Oskee-Wow Wow” and “William Tell” during dynamic formation changes.

The Marching Illini has played at many prestigious events, including being the first college marching band to perform the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin Ireland in 1992, an engagement they repeated six more times. They were also the first college marching band to perform at the London Military Tattoo at Wembly Arena in 2001.