ILLINOIS BANDS E-NEWSLETTER
FEBRUARY 2026
CONCERT TONIGHT
WIND SYMPHONY ABA PERFORMANCE - MARCH 4
The University of Illinois Bands have had an extremely deep connection with the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, dating back to the organization’s founding. Our first Director of Bands, A. A. Harding, was a founding member and the first treasurer, then later president of the association. Former Illinois Bands faculty Mark Hindsley, Harry Begian, James Keene, Linda Moorhouse, and Gary Smith have all served as presidents.
The Illinois Wind Symphony has again been invited to perform for this annual gathering of the leaders of the profession. We hope you will join us and attend our concert on March 4, 2026 in the Harris Theater for Music and Dance. The performance, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the Lockport Township High School Wind Symphony, conducted by Brian Covey and guest conductors, followed by the Wind Symphony.
For more information, visit our ABA concert webpage.
ALUMNI NEWS
University of Illinois Bands alum, Joe Inman (BM 1968), was inducted into the US Figure Skating "Golden Class" Hall of Fame on January 9th in St. Louis, Missouri, in front of 8,000 people. Inman served as an International Skating Union Championships (ISU) and U.S. figure skating judge, referee, and technical controller from 1986-2018. Inman is known for pioneering the International Judging System, the standards used in all international competitions sanctioned by the ISU, used in the 2024 Olympics.
Joe Inman performed in the University of Illinois bands and orchestras, and was a bass drum player in the Marching Illini. Inman served 21 years as the principal percussionist with the U.S. Army Band.
ALUMNI CONCERT BAND REUNION
Join Illinois Band Alumni for a Concert Band Reunion on June 6–7, 2026. The event will include rehearsals, an evening dinner, and a concert in the Foellinger Great Hall conducted by Bands faculty past and present!. Visit our website to register and receive more information: https://www.bands.illinois.edu/reunion-and-concert-1
UPCOMING EVENTS
Illinois Bands is excited to begin a fantastic Spring concert season for our five concert ensembles. We hope you will join us at the Krannert Center, or online for our performances. View the full concert schedule here: https://www.bands.illinois.edu/calendar
For information on giving opportunities and to support the
University of Illinois Bands
visit GIVING or contact
David Allen, allend@illinois.edu
ILLINOIS BANDS
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Marching Illini
Harding Band Building 1103 S 6th Street Champaign, IL 61820