WIU 43rd Annual Marching Band Classic 2025

Saturday, October 25, 2025

Marching Band Logo

Entry:

For competitive bands, there will be two divisions and four classifications. Classifications are based on school enrollment at the 9-12 level as of September 1 the year of the competition. The classifications are as follows:

Division I

Class A--Up to 300 students
Class AA--301 to 600 students

Division II

Class AAA--601 to 1000 students
Class AAAA--1001 students and up

A band may enter a higher class than their enrollment dictates. However, this is strictly optional. Please be sure to indicate this on your entry form.

For non-competitive bands, we will have one open class for judges' comments only.

Fee:

The entry fee for our contest is $250.00. This fee must accompany your application. We will have a cap of 30 bands this year, entries will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Adjudicators:

As always, we make an effort to hire the most qualified individuals available. Our judging panel for the Classic will be a selection of quality music educators from around the nation.

Music Performance Individual — TBD

Music Performance Ensemble — TBD

Music General Effect — TBD

Visual Performance Individual — TBD

Visual Performance Ensemble — TBD

Visual General Effect —TBD

Awards:

Placement awards will be given for the top three groups in each class (A, 2A, 3A, and 4A) and all bands not receiving a placement trophy (including Open Class) will receive a participation award. There will also be a Grand Champion in each division based on the highest score of the day.

Schedule:

The final performance schedule is dependent upon the number of entries accepted and special scheduling requests (please see last year's schedule for a reference). When the deadline for entries has passed, we will send the final mailing including the competition schedule and other particulars regarding the event, but if you have a special request or schedule constraints that day, please contact us in the meantime.

Warm-Up:

The University is capable of supplying music and physical warm-up facilities on a limited basis (no lined fields), and each band will have the opportunity to warm-up prior to their performance.

In Case of Rain:

Our alternate competition site will be Brophy Hall in case of rain or inclement weather. If the contest must be held inside, only the music captions will be judged. Decision to hold the contest indoors will be made early on the morning of the contest.

Tickets:

Tickets for this event will not be sold in advance. Ticket purchases will be "Cash Only". Admission prices will be $10.00 for adults, $5.00 for students, senior citizens, and children 5-12. All children under 5 will be admitted free. Tickets are good for the entire contest regardless of division.   All seating is general admission. All units will receive one chaperone arm band for every ten members of the band.

Parking:

Bus and auto parking is located just north of the stadium, which is designated as "Q-Lot."   There is plenty of space available, so encourage your band patrons and community to attend.

Meals:

In addition, the Concession stands at the stadium will be open.

Registration 2025