University of Illinois

How many times have you asked yourself, "What the heck is a mellophone?" The answer to that is probably never or if ever, you may have been in an intoxicated state. Well today's the day when the question can be fully answered with a little help from our friends, the Fighting Illini. Check out the mellophone section's site to discover the difference between a mellophone, a Frumpet, and a marching french horn.

As anyone can see, these Illini are serious when it comes to marching band. The band performed their first halftime show in 1907 and have come a long way since then receiving the Sudler trophy in 1983. Like many Big 10 bands, the Marching Illini have traditions for every gameday such as pregame. After run-on, the band performs "Revised Entrance #3" to the school song, "Illinois Loyalty," and the fight song, "Oskee Wow Wow." "Illinois Loyalty" is one of the oldest school songs in existence with the exception of the University of Michigan's "Victors." In 1911, "Oskee Wow Wow" was composed by two students because the original school song didn't raise any school spirit whatsoever. [Interesting tidbit: The first recording of the fight song was made in 1925 on a Victrola record. Click here to listen.] The band also marches its U of I logos across the field before playing a number of patriotic songs according to the Marching Illini Official Site. Below is a video of part of Illini pregame: