Section Letter-Houser Go Illini Letter
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May 28, 2021 Dear Members of the Marching Illini! Greetings from the historic Harding Band Building! It is with great enthusiasm I welcome you to the 2021 edition and the 153rd season of The Nation’s Premier College Marching Band, the Marching Illini. The Marching Illini is a very special organization that is respected and appreciated throughout the world! John Philip Sousa referred to this program as “The World’s Greatest College Band!” The system, energy, and culture that is created by members of the Marching Illini continues to contribute to making the University of Illinois a fantastic institution for our fans, alums, and students alike. Members of the Marching Illini are extremely dedicated, intelligent, and represent all academic disciplines from across our great institution. We pride ourselves on creating entertaining and first rate performances and in the First Class manner in which we represent the University of Illinois, both on and off the field. As Director of the Marching Illini, I and my staff will do everything we can to make this the absolute best experience for you. I invite you to do your part and give this organization your all each and everyday…it will be a tremendous amount of work but the FUN, PRIDE and WORK we achieve together will be life changing. Together we can make this a very special year as we come out of this pandemic and experience each other once again - a true and everlasting ILLINOIS legacy. Your individual commitment and discipline is essential to our collective success. Our performance calendar is located on our website [marchingillini.com] but highlights of our season include the following: 7 home games in Memorial Stadium, The Illinois Marching Band Championships, The Marching Illini Live In Concert - hopefully a return to the State Farm Center, Band Day with a cast of thousands, and a huge celebration during Homecoming weekend as we celebrate with our alums of the program from the past 152 years. Refer to the calendar on our website for a full overview of the season with rehearsal times, performances, and other events. There are items that need to be completed before you arrive for Preseason Camp and some with due dates as soon as June 1. Please carefully read the items below so you are prepared for this fall. 1. Read the letters from your drum majors and section leaders to learn who they are, what they do, and other information pertaining to your section 2. Subscribe to the Marching Illini text system through REMIND if you are not already a part of it. Information on how to set this up is included in your box folder. There are settings so you can either receive messages through the app, email, or your SMS texting service. This is the only way that information will be shared with the MI so be sure to have notifications on and select the app or text function, not email. 3. Within your box folder, you will find a roster for your section with contact information. Please make sure we have an illinois.edu email address if you are an ILLINOIS student. If you are a Parkland student, the email address you provided will be fine. On this roster, you will also find your part assignment for the season. It is imperative you learn the part listed on this roster. If you have any questions, please let me know. 4. THE SYSTEM: This is currently being updated but I will let you know when it is ready. This document is our ultimate handbook for all things Marching Illini. We will cover critical information regarding attendance, expectations, and other policies during preseason camp. Before you ask someone a question, refer to the System first as the answer is most likely within this document. 5. Complete the preseason camp forms BEFORE JUNE 1. This is extremely important if you want your merchandise, uniform, instrument, and other items before preseason camp. There are major delays in shipping so we need to act fast and this deadline is very important. If you submit after this date, unfortunately you will not have access to the items mentioned. THANK YOU in advance. 6. Traditional Music Memorization Suggested Target Dates. Each person in any ensemble learns a different way. The suggested guideline is merely a suggestion to make sure you are successful in memorizing your traditional music BEFORE you arrive for Preseason Camp - August 15. There are tools within the Box Folder to assist you with this memorization. Reference recordings of the full band, individual mp3’s of your actual part, and the music itself. One of the items you must take care on your first day of preseason camp is passing off all 8 charts with a group of students, nothing individually. • Revised Entrance #3 | June 2 • Patriotic Medley | June 16 • Star Spangled Banner | June 23 • Illinois Loyalty | June 30 • Oskee Wow Wow from the Top | July 7 • William Tell | July 14 • Illinois March | July 28 • Three-In-One | August 11 7. Summer Sectionals: On June 26 and July 24, we will host our traditional Summer Sectionals on the Urbana-Champaign campus. This is an absolutely fun time to get familiar with the Marching Illini way with regard to marching fundamentals, a chance to practice the traditional music, and the best part, getting to know members of your section & band. These are highly encouraged but not required. Register to attend at marchingillini.com - this will be open soon. 8. Our Social Media Channels: Give us a follow or like and you will most likely find yourself at some point on one of these channels throughout the season. • Facebook • Twitter • Instagram • YouTube Channel 9. COMMUNICATION & PROFESSIONALISM: As a final note, we all come from different backgrounds with a variety of experiences. As we join together this fall, we must respect one another DAILY. This is not a place of negativity but a place of encouragement and positivity - a place of belonging for all people. We ALL must do our part to keep our culture welcoming of all students and staff while encouraging every member of this ensemble. Everyone in this organization should always feel safe and welcome. It’s not just about being invited to the dance - it’s being invited to DANCE. In addition, please keep all communications professional on and off the field and respond within a reasonable time frame to any request or other communication. This will allow everyone within the ensemble to have the greatest success which will provide the absolute best experience for you. Each year, interest in auditioning for the MI grows and this year was no exception. Spring 2021 generated 1,320 prospective students and well over 275 returning students wanting to be a part of this organization. You have been chosen for this experience - collectively, let us not forget this perspective. WE BEFORE ME! Each of you as individuals will continue to improve and create an amazing legacy while innovating new ones along our pathways. The potential for a truly remarkable season is upon us and I hope you will join me and our staff in making the 2021 edition of the Marching Illini the absolute best. As always, my door is always open to you via remind, email or my physical office door. Let me know how I may assist you in making this an experience you will not forget. I look forward to welcoming you officially to the University of Illinois Marching Illini family in August! As an alum of this University, let me share a genuine GO ILLINI and I-L-L! With True Illini Spirit, Barry L. Houser Director of the Marching Illini & Fighting Illini Athletic Bands Associate Director of University Bands Clinical Associate Professor of Music Yamaha Master Educator Chancellor’s Athletic Board | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Chair, Athletic Band Committee | College Band Director’s National Association Advisory Board | Native American House President and Director | Smith Walbridge Clinics @BarryLHouser.