Champaign, Ill. – The Marching Illini are set to take center stage in a much-anticipated concert return to State Farm Center following a decade-long hiatus. The Nation's Premier College Marching Band, directed by Barry L. Houser, will perform on Sunday, October 8 at 3:00 p.m., continuing what was an annual tradition that began in December of 1991. Their string of 23 straight years performing at the venue was interrupted after the concert in October of 2013 due to the comprehensive arena renovation that began the following year. Marching Illini fans can expect to hear all of the traditional gameday music they have come to know and love, with a few surprises thrown in.
Tickets go on sale to the public Wednesday, August 30 at 12 p.m. CT online at StateFarmCenter.com, over the phone at 866-ILLINI-1, or at the Illinois Ticket Office at State Farm Center. With an affordable price range of $10.00 to $25.00 plus fees, tickets are priced to encourage attendance by all, including groups and families. Groups of 20 or more may inquire about special ticket pricing by calling the Illinois Ticket Office at 866-ILLINI-1.
More About the Marching Illini
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 Wembley Arena in 2001.
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More About State Farm Center
State Farm Center is a multipurpose venue on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign, Illinois. As the third largest arena in the state, it serves as the home court to the Fighting Illini Men's and Women's Basketball teams and is dedicated to hosting a wide variety of other performers and events. Throughout the years, the biggest names in show business, including Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, George Strait, Garth Brooks, Frank Sinatra, U2, Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, among countless others, have graced the State Farm Center stage.
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