I L L I N O I S  H I G H  S C H O O L  A S S O C I A T I O N
 2715 McGraw Dr., P.O. Box 2715, Bloomington, IL 61702-2715

Information for
2005-2006 Girls and Boys Basketball Tournaments
And
2006-2007 Girls Volleyball Tournament
Pep Band Selection

Plans are again underway to select “March Madness” bands for performance during the 2005-2006 Girls State Final Basketball Tournaments at Redbird Arena in Normal and the 2005-2006 Boys State Final Basketball Tournaments at the Civic Center in Peoria.  In addition, we will be selecting pep bands to play at the 2005-2006 Girls Volleyball State Final.  Schools interested should send the application form plus a CASSETTE TAPE OR CD RECORDING containing samples of various selections in the band's repertoire to Susan Knoblauch by January 13, 2006.

Selected pep bands from member schools will be extended the invitation to perform on one of the four days of the 2005-2006 Girls State Final Basketball Tournaments, one of four days of the 2005-2006 Boys State Final Basketball Tournaments, or one-half day of two days of the 2005-2006 Girls State Final Volleyball Tournament.  Each pep band, with a maximum of 60 members (including conductors), will provide pre-game and halftime entertainment at Redbird Arena in Normal; or a maximum of 40 members (including conductors) at the Civic Center in Peoria.

Each pep band participating will receive round trip mileage reimbursement at $2 per mile plus a meal allotment of $9 per person for the number of the members of the unit that perform at Redbird Arena or the Civic Center.  A maximum number of 60 (Redbird Arena) or 40 (Civic Center), including band members and conductor(s), will be allowed for reimbursement and ad­mission.

Space for the performing pep bands will be provided at the Civic Center and Redbird Arena.  Performers will be admitted to the Civic Center and Redbird Arena as a group at no charge only for those sessions at which they are scheduled to perform.  Pep band members will not be ad­mitted to any other sessions of any tournament without a paid ticket for admission as a spectator.

Each participating pep band will be asked to be in position and begin performing no later than 30 minutes before the start of each session (session times listed above).  Bands are to play during time-outs, between quarters, at halftime, and following the conclusion of each game.

The performing bands will be chosen by the IHSA Office with assistance from selected music educators.  ONLY PEP BANDS WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR SELECTION.  Please do not submit a tape or CD from your jazz band, stage band, concert band, or any group other than the one that would play, if selected.  Audition tapes or CD recordings should include samples of music that is lively and crowd stimulating.  Record only brief segments of several different selections (30 seconds per selection maximum).  Also include examples of "cheering fanfares" your group may use in as­sisting your own school's cheerleaders to excite a home crowd.  Please do not include formal concert numbers, or your rendition of the national anthem or entire selections.  In addition, in­structors are not to play any instruments in the selections submitted on the audition recording. 

Here are some suggestions from our judging panel for a successful recording:

  1.   Make sure the recording volume is set at the proper level as to get the best sound.  If the level is too high, the sound will be distorted and too low will make it difficult to hear.

  2.   Cut back on the percussion sound.  These vibrations travel quickly and can overwhelm the sound of the winds, in spite of what you are hearing.  

  3.   Make sure the parts are being covered.  Too many groups get eliminated due to wrong notes. 

  4.   Check pitch and balance.  The loudest bands don’t get selected.  Those that play with the best quality of sound get selected. 

  5.   Listen to the tape before you send it in.  Make sure the quality of the tape equals in quality of your ensemble.

Please do not verbally identify your school by name or nickname on the tape.  Simply label the outside of the tape or CD. If you are interested in having your pep band considered for selection, download and complete the application form and send it along with a recording as specified to:

Susan Knoblauch
Illinois High School Association
2715 McGraw Drive
Bloomington, IL 61704

Priority for selection will be given to bands from Class A schools for the Class A Tournaments and bands from Class AA schools for the Class AA Tournaments.

Sincerely,

Susan M. Knoblauch
Assistant Executive Director

Home | Site Index | About IHSA | About IHSA.org | Feedback