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Illinette Katy Zale
Founded in 1867, the Marching Illini has performed in front of millions
of fans
the world over. Once described as the “world’s greatest col- lege band” by world- renowned
in numerous bowl games, Chicago Bears’ halftime shows and concert halls across the country. In 1992, the Marching Illini was the first college marching band to perform in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, an honor that was repeated in 1995, 1998 and 2008. The band also lays claim to a num- ber of other firsts, including the first marching band to use Sousaphones, the first to perform during halftime of a college football game (at the University of Chicago in 1907),
the first band where members sang
a cappella on the field (during a performance in Iowa in 1920), the first band to have its own building (built in the 1930’s), the first college marching band to release a CD (The Marching Illini, recorded in 1986), and the first college band with a website (on-line since 1994). The Marching Illini also performed at the first football game broadcast on ra- dio, the first televised football game and the first football game televised in color.
The band will experience another
first this year as it makes its first-ever appearance in the Macy’s Thanksgiv- ing Day Parade. Dance major Katie Zale of South Elgin, the section leader for the Illinettes, is extremely excited for the opportunity. “Appearing in the Macy’s Parade is such an honor. This parade is chock full of history, and
I could not be more excited to be a part of it. This performance will be an unforgettable experience that many can only dream of having. I cannot wait to represent the University of Illinois on a national level.”
To learn more about the history of the Marching
Illini, visit
marchingilli-
composer and conductor John Philip Sousa, the Marching Illini is one of the university’s elite organizations which includes some of the fin-
est and most dedicated students on campus. Representing nearly every college and major on campus, this year’s band is currently made up of 350 members, including musicians, guard, the Illinettes Dance Team, Drum Majors, and the undergradu- ate and graduate staff members.
The Marching Illini has performed
ni.com. You can also fol- low the band on social media during the Macy’s parade using the hashtag #IlliniAtMa- cysParade.
Trombonist Emily Tuttle
Parent and Family Programs to Live Tweet Macy’s Parade
Meg McKeon, a senior studying Integrative Biology, joined the Parent and Family Programs Office as a member of our student staff this past summer. She is also a member of the Marching Illini, serving as a clarinet section leader. Meg will be travel- ling with the band to New York City to perform in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving
Day Parade. During the trip, she will be live tweeting her experience with the band on the official Parent and Family Programs Office Twitter feed.
You can follow us on Twitter using our handle, @Illini_Parents. Meg will be using the hashtag #IlliniAtMacysParade.
Follow Meg on her trip by following us on Twitter now.
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