THE FOLLOWING IS A UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS / STATE FARM CENTER RELEASE
Champaign, Ill. – The Marching Illini will take center stage at State Farm Center on Sunday, October 20, following last
year’s return after a decade-long hiatus. The Nation’s Premier College Marching Band, directed by Barry L. Houser, will
perform at 3:00 p.m. the day after Illinois Football takes on the Michigan Wolverines as part of the 100-year Anniversary
of Memorial Stadium.
Tickets go on sale to the public Thursday, August 22 at noon CT online at StateFarmCenter.com/MarchingIllini, 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
$30.00 plus fees, tickets are priced to encourage attendance by all, including groups and families. Groups of 10 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.
Get Connected with the Marching Illini:
• marchingillini.com/
• facebook.com/MarchingIllini
• twitter.com/MarchingIllini
• instagram.com/marchingillini/
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.
Get Connected with State Farm Center:
• statefarmcenter.com
• facebook.com/statefarmcenter
• twitter.com/statefarmcenter
• instagram.com/statefarmcenter
