2026 Performance Schedule

Last updated: April 8, 2025

Date Day Event
July 10 Friday Leadership team training day, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., NIU Campus
July 25 Saturday
  • Woodwind and brass, summer rehearsal, 1-5 p.m.
  • Meet at Chessick Center
  • Dinner is provided at 5 p.m.
  • 6:00 p.m. Rehearse National Anthem in Stadium
  • 6:45 p.m. Perform National Anthem
  • 7:00 p.m. DCI Show Starts
July 26 Sunday Drumline and color guard rehearsal, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., NIU Campus
Aug. 13 Thursday Leadership team training and move-in
Aug. 14-21 Friday
  • All members start Band Camp
  • Move-in details and daily rehearsal schedule TBA
Aug. 21 Friday Band run, schedule TBA
Aug. 23 Sunday Concert Band Auditions (optional for non-music majors)
Aug. 24 Monday
  • Semester starts
  • Winds, brass and drumline meet at regular class time and location
  • Colorguard and dance are on separate schedules
Sept. 4 Friday HMB off
Sept. 7 Monday NIU holiday for Labor Day
Sept. 12 Saturday
  • Game day! NIU vs. Illinois State University
  • High School Band Day
Sept. 26 Saturday
  • Red and Black Marching Band Competition
  • All-day commitment!
  • Volunteers needed to help run the event
  • Sign up link TBA, one week before the show
Oct. 8 Thursday
  • Homecoming parade and pep rally, Dekalb
  • Full uniform. Stadium rehearsal after Parade
Oct. 10 Saturday
  • Game Day! NIU vs. Air Force
  • Homecoming
  • Morning Rehearsal with Alumni Band
Oct. 24 Saturday Game Day! NIU vs. Hawaii
Oct. 25 Sunday
  • Sycamore Pumpkin Parade
  • Performing Thriller and Fight Song
  • Call time 11:30 a.m. Full uniform
Nov. 14 Saturday
  • Game Day! NIU vs. Nevada
  • High school senior night
  • Please register, link will be available in October
Nov. 20 Friday
  • HMB off
  • Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony
  • Combined concert, Music Building
Nov. 26 Thanksgiving Break HMB off
Nov. 28 Saturday
  • Game day! Senior night
  • Final home game
  • Mandatory performance
  • Schedule TBA
Nov. 30 Monday
  • Band Awards Ceremony
  • Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center. 8-9:30 p.m.
  • Dress to impress
  • Members only

Contact Us

Marching Band
School of Music
815-753-1042
band@niu.edu

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