It goes without saying that a lot has changed over the past 100 years. But while some principles and practices have come and gone, the Marching Illini has continued to honor the long-standing traditions set forth by its founders in 1904; traditions that are rooted in celebrated songs such as the Illinois Loyalty and Oskee Wow Wow.

Over the past century, the Marching Illini has paved the way for other national marching bands to follow. In 1907, the Marching Illini envisioned and executed an idea that later became an inherent part of marching bands everywhere when they marched in and out of a formation of a “Block I” while playing. The band’s ability to carry on traditions but also celebrate school spirit through innovative ideas has arguably made it the “best band in the land.”

For Brian Davids, senior in Engineering, Illinois’s premier marching band was the deciding factor when he was trying to choose between universities. Now in his fifth year with the band, Davids said when he thinks about his college experience, “MI is integral.”

“There [are] 350 of us and nobody’s required to be in this band,” Davids said. “We all do it and we come back because we love doing it. It’s that type of dedication that makes us care and makes us want to be the best. We are the best because we want to be.”

The ensemble band is offered as a one-credit hour class that students audition for in the spring. Members spend the summer memorizing sheet music and arrive on campus a week early for band camp, where they learn the fundamentals of drill or marching in and out of formations.

Colleen Hester, junior in LAS, said being a part of the band is never about earning class credit.

“It’s about performing,” Hester said. “We’re a big part of fall Saturdays. It’s fun to continue these traditions and have thousands of people looking back at you in the stands.”

Hester said when she auditioned for the Sousaphone section before her freshmen year, she did not realize how big of an organization the Marching Illini was.

“It’s my junior year and I’m really realizing how many traditions there are, and how what we do is still important to alumni and other people from the community,” she said.

In special recognition of the 100th Homecoming this weekend, an expected 400 alumni will dust off their instruments and marching shoes to march with the full band during the halftime performance.

Tim Handell, senior in LAS, said his older brother, a Marching Illini alumnus, will return Saturday to celebrate Homecoming festivities the only way he knows how — on the field.

“It means a lot to see the generations [marching together] — fathers and sons, mothers and daughters,” Handell said. “Over the years little things have changed, but it’s still the same band. It’s something that’s bigger than all of us. You’re a part of history.