The Illini Drumline

The Illini Drumline instrumentation varies from year to year. The 2007 line includes 8 snares, 5 tenors, 5 basses, and 10 cymbals. The Drumline's 2007 section leader is Justin Ahlberg (basses) . Rounding off the section heads are Spencer Murray (snares), John DeLuca (tenors), and Brandon Catt (cymbals). The instructional staff for 2007 consists of Kevin Gier (snares), Brian Spicer (tenors), Mike Maschek (basses), Jeremy McGinnis (cymbals), and Mark Edwards (basses).

In a nation of college drumlines, there may not be a more recognizable sound than that of the 3 counts of 16th note roll and release that starts the cadence series of the University of Illinois Marching Illini Drumline.

The marching percussion section of the Marching Illini goes back to 1906, the inaugural season of the band itself. The drumline then made a major transition in 1976 under the leadership of the section leader then, Russ Weber. Russ brought in new talent, new cadences, and new ideas. A new set of instruments and new uniforms in 1979 finished the line’s development into its current form.

A season with the Illini Drumline begins in the late Winter/early Spring. A new semester brings the beginning of the new season, as the audition camps begin. An average of about 50 players audition for the potential 9 snare, 5 tenor, 5 bass drum, and 10 cymbal spots that are open in the drumline. Evaluated by experienced, dedicated, and talented staff members, the line is not set in its final fashion until the beginning of band camp in August. The Illini Drumline stresses progress and improvement at all times between camps and day-to-day. That idea weights heavily into the selection of its members from camp to camp.

During the summer, the drumline has historically held two extra rehearsals. The first, a one-day affair in June, and the second, the famous “Three-Day Fest” which is seen as one of the line’s first opportunities to become a cohesive unit. Here the members of the drumline begin to refine their skills, start “cleaning beats,” and begin to build up endurance leading into band camp.

Mid-to-late August comes and band camp rolls around. In a week of activity that actually ends up being more strenuous than the students’ upcoming classes, the drumline cleans beats and works even more during this week, and has their first three performances of the year: Illini First Night at Memorial Stadium welcoming freshman to the campus, Quad Day, and the annual “March Around.” The drumline uses “March Around,” which is a trek around campus while playing the cadence series, as both a chance to build much needed endurance, and to welcome the students back to campus.

Gamedays begin in early September. An early morning warm-up, which depends on the game time, starts a half hour before the Marching Illini game day rehearsal. The Marching Illini then rehearse, as a whole, for an hour and a half. One of the most important and anticipated parts of the day for the drumline comes about 2 hours before game time, when the public warmup begins. The public warmup will always occur at either the Assembly Hall or the Harding Band Building. Public warmup marks the return of many alumni to the campus, and gives the drumline its most exposure of the day. After the public warmup, the drumline performs with the rest of the Marching Illini at “Street-Fest”, a small pep-rally type function before games. The game then brings the opportunity to perform with one of the finest college marching bands in the nation, as the drumline performs pregame, halftime (including the famous Three-In-One), postgame, and the postgame march back to the Education Building where a short concert is performed.

Gamedays are not the only opportunity to see the Illini Drumline. In mid-October, The Marching Illini perform in concert at the Assembly Hall. Also in mid-to-late October, the Illini Marching Band Festival brings one of the most exciting days of the season. The drumline sells its merchandise during this all day event, holds public sectional rehearsals, and performs the largest public warmup of the year, for thousands of high school band students, alumni, and some future members of the Illini Drumline. The season also includes a road trip to another Big Ten school, and Homecoming. Homecoming gives the line the opportunity to remember its past traditions, drum with the alumni, and meet some of the people that have given them the opportunity to be a part of such a historical organization.

In the past, The Illini Drumline has performed in winter competitions, at the Glenbrook North Spartan Percussion Invitational. The line hopes to return to competition at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention very soon.

More than forty members and staff of the Illini Drumline over the past 30 years have been members of touring drum and bugle corps. The line has had members of 13 active corps, and five inactive. Many of its members and alumni have won DCI World Championships. Members of the current line come from 28 different high school programs, 3 different drum and bugle corps (Phantom Regiment, Blue Stars and Southwind), and different levels of experience. But it is their talent, dedication and desire that brings the group together.

Great playing and performances aside, the hallmark of the Illini Drumline has always been its comradery and cohesiveness. The line has become a sort of fraternity and sorority in that the members spend so much practice and social time together. The traditions and customs of the Illini Drumline are so important, and mark the bonds that the members share. As the alumni and current members vow, “We are forever bound”.