On a dining room table in Savoy sits an assembly of miniature animal figures, artfully arranged into one of the Marching Illini’s many formations. The mastermind behind this display? A second-grader named Milo.
The 8-year-old describes himself as the “biggest fan” of the University’s prestigious marching band. Milo’s parents, Derek and Emily Neal, support their son wholeheartedly, trying to see the band as much as possible.
“We’re kind of like Marching Illini groupies,” Derek said. “Anytime it fits with our schedule and his schedule, we’re going to their practices (and games). Whenever we can do it, we are where the band is.”
Milo fell in love with the band on Oct. 19, 2019, when Illinois played Wisconsin at Memorial Stadium. He was 2 years old, and his passion remains unshakeable six years later.
The Marching Illini perform the same routine before every home football game — they start at the Armory, organize into their parade block and march to Memorial Stadium. Milo can almost always be found marching alongside with a miniature saxophone or trombone.
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“If there’s any dance moves that go along with some of the songs we play, Milo has those down to a ‘t’,” said Barry Houser, director of the Marching Illini.
The Neals first bridged the gap between Milo and the band at his fourth birthday party in 2021. Still dealing with the after-effects of COVID-19, students in the Marching Illini volunteered to perform together for one of the first times in over a year.
“Thirty band members showed up,” Derek said. “They jumped out of cars. They played all their songs for these four-year-olds at the park. It was the coolest thing ever.”
Heather Swartz, senior in FAA, played piccolo in the Marching Illini her junior year. After meeting Milo in 2023, she took it upon herself to sew him a miniature version of the uniform’s cape and baldric.
“I was kind of nervous to give it to him, but it was so rewarding to see the shy smile on his face and see him wearing it at every event,” Swartz said. “I wanted him to feel like a part of the band.”
As a music education major, Swartz was especially inspired by the support Milo’s family offers him as he explores his interests and passions.
“Going into music education, it fills me with so much joy to see a child that is so passionate about marching band and about music and to see that his family is so supportive of it as well,” Swartz said. “It really supports my belief that music is inspiring, exciting and is something that people can really fall in love with at any age.”
Houser echoed similar sentiments, proud of the legacy that the University’s marching band imparts to younger generations.
“To see that someone that young has an interest in what we do, I think, speaks to a little bit of the impact that this group of college students has on the general public,” Houser said.
Milo’s passion for the Marching Illini also spans into his broader love for music. His favorite instrument is the sousaphone, and he eagerly awaits the day he grows big enough to learn how to play.
The band has continued to stay involved with Milo — over 20 members went to one of his Little League Baseball games in Fall 2024.
“They’ve kind of adopted him as this little mascot,” Derek said. “It makes him so happy. It’s also opened my eyes to all the band does. It’s really incredible how much goes into a game day, so I think I have a bigger appreciation for what they do and all the extra things they do for Milo.”
