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Illinois State Marching Band Championships

Overview

The Illinois State Marching Band Championships is the state’s premiere invitational event hosting forty-two high school marching bands in preliminary and finals competition. Participating bands are divided into the six classifications determined by the Illinois High School Association school enrollment. Bands are evaluated by the leading clinicians in music education and enjoy the thrill of performing to packed crowds at the incredible Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University!

Illinois State Marching Band Championships logo

Event Details

  • Event Information

    DATE: Saturday, October 11, 2025 – Gates open at 6:30 a.m.

    LOCATION: Hancock Stadium on the campus of Illinois State University

    TICKETS: Tickets are $20.00 for all day admission including both prelims and finals. Children 5 and under are admitted free. No advance ticket sales. Tickets can only be purchased at the Hancock Stadium ticket windows. All seating is general admission – spectators are encourage to arrive early to the event.

    Visit the ISMBC Spectator Information page

    CLEAR BAG POLICY: ISMBC will adhere to the Hancock Stadium clear bag policy from Illinois State University Athletics.

    NO TRIPOD POLICY: No tripods will be allowed in Hancock Stadium. Performance video can be purchased through BOX5-TV or at the Box 5 booth in the concourse.

  • Event Registration

    Registration Fee is $650 for 2025.

    Registration will open March 3, 2025 at 6 a.m.

    Register

  • Official Merchandise

    The official Illinois State Marching Band Championships tshirts, hoodies, and participant patches can be purchased on the day of the event in the concourse of Hancock Stadium. Band booster organizations and individual participants are highly encouraged to pre-order these items for pick up at the event. Apparel and participant patch pre-order is available in mid-September and closes in mid-October.

Live Stream

A livestream of the entire competition is available through BOX5-TV.

Schedule

2025 Participating Bands

View Schedule

Session A (Class 1A and 2A)

East Peoria Community
Effingham
El Paso Gridley
Eureka
Galesburg
Herscher
Illinois Valley Central
LaSalle-Peru Township
Limestone Community
Macomb
Morton
Paris
Pontiac Township
Prairie Central
Streator
University

Session B (Class 3A and 4A)

Batavia
Bloomington
Collinsville
Lemont
Maine West
Marian Catholic
Mascoutah
Romeoville
Washington Community

Session C (Class 5A and 6A)

Carl Sandburg
DeKalb
Downers Grove South
Edwardsville
Joliet West
McHenry Community
Mundelein
O'Fallon Township
Oswego East
Oswego
Plainfield Central
Plainfield North
Prospect
Huntley
Normal
Victor J. Andrew
Warren Township

2025 Judging Panel

Richard Saucedo, Chief Judge
Ed Argenziano, Music Judge
Andy Cook, Music Judge
Bryan Crisp, Music Judge
Tom Dean, Music Judge
Beth Fabrizio, Music Judge
Todd Fox, Music Judge
Gerry Miller, Music Judge
Bryen Warfield, Music Judge
Doug Casteen, Visual Judge
Shannon Clark, Visual Judge
John Howell, Visual Judge
Bruce Jones, Visual Judge
Randy Nelson, Visual Judge
Juno Orefice, Visual Judge