Twenty-five years ago, around 46 million television viewers were treated to a melodic feast served up by Illinois State University’s Big Red Marching Machine during the 72nd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The history of band at Illinois State University can be traced back more than 100 years.
Illinois State University Marching Band alumni are invited back to campus for Alumni Band Day at Hancock Stadium, November 4–5, 2022.
Join us as we rally the Redbirds virtually prior to April 10’s Homecoming football game against North Dakota.
Over spring break, 175 students from the Big Red Marching Machine (BRMM) traveled to Ireland to participate in multiple competitions and performances, bringing home best overall band honors.
Director of the Big Red Marching Machine and Assistant Director of Bands, Gavin Smith are pleased to introduce the 2016-2017 drum majors: Connor Bowman, Alex Finley, Ariel Furgat, and Sarah Rasmussen. Returning for his fourth year as a member of the Big Red Marching Machine, Bowman is a music education major, who has been both a
Members of the Big Red Marching Machine are among the University’s best ambassadors, instilling pride and sparking collegiate memories every time they take up their instruments.
Nearly 200 Big Red members spent 17+ hours in a bus to make the trip to Frisco, Texas, for the FCS national championship game.
Together, the three Vasel sisters are part of an Illinois State marching band tradition that stretches back more than 80 years. Big Red, or BRMM, has 285 members this fall and thousands of alumni.
Illinois State’s Big Red Marching Machine recently traveled to Shriners Hospital for Children in Chicago to meet patients and promote a new Fox TV show.
