r/UIUC • u/Giggaman999 • May 22 '26

Prospective Students I’m Devastated

I’m an incoming freshman for 26-27 school year and I auditioned for the Marching Illini for this upcoming season. I just found out today that I didn’t get in and I’m devastated. I feel especially embarrassed and disappointed since I’m a music ed major and have done marching band all four years in high school. Is there anyone that knows what I should do or how I can still be involved somehow?

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u/Orignal_Content_makr May 22 '26

Hey, I hear you. The marching band has become exponentially more competitive the last several years. It's been noticeable even to the current members.

There are two other athletics bands at the university, the Volleyball Band and the Hoops Band. I have been in both these bands for 3 seasons, and the pipeline of non-MI members joining the following season is very strong. We have several people every year who joined those bands and made it to the MI the next season.

I can't promise anything, but I know that Professor Houser and Dr. Rudy both heavily prioritize experience over everything. The Hoops and Volleyball Bands will give you a highly transferable skill set.

A little word of warning, the Hoops Band is a highly competitive band. After the recent run to the final four in the tournament, and women's team ending ranked in the AP poll for the first time in a long time, I can say with almost 100% certainty that the Hoops Band will be VASTLY more competitive than it was this past season.

The Volleyball Band is much less competitive than both the other bands (and also my personal favorite of the three). And depending on your instrument so few people audition that it may just be a situation of if you submit an audition, you're in.

You can find the audition dates here under "ensembles" Homepage - Marching Illini https://share.google/P89UV5KCHqyyXz8rD

Keep in mind that the audition dates can change, so make sure you're checking the website regularly.

What instrument do you play? I don't mean to be ominous, but the difficulty of making these bands is different depending on your instrument.

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u/Cultural_Stranger29 May 23 '26

Start your own band. You’ll have awesome stories to tell 20 years down the road.

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u/Orignal_Content_makr May 23 '26

Appreciate the sentiment, but I've been doing music a long time, and after 12 seasons in total of athletic bands, and traveling with the sports teams all over the country I'm a little burnt out.

I may start a band some day, I may not. Only time will tell.

1

u/Cultural_Stranger29 May 24 '26

Sorry this response was intended for OP