On Saturday, October 25, the Normal Marching Band wrapped up its 2025 season with one last competition: the Illinois Marching Band Championships, hosted by the University of Illinois.
Ryan Budzinski, West band teacher and one of the co-directors for the Normal Marching Band, first joined the West team in 2004 as a volunteer.
The following year, he was hired as a band director in Unit 5 and has been a part of the Normal Marching Band since it merged in 2018.
Budzinski pointed out many successes of the Normal Marching Band, noting the quality of their performances and the growth throughout the season, as well as being competitively successful.
On October 4, the Normal Marching Band competed in Bands of America (BOA), attending the Iowa Regional Championships. This year, about 30 top bands from seven states came to compete.
The Normal Marching Band received many awards throughout the competition.
In the first round, they earned first place and awards for top music performance, visual performance, and performance effect in Class 4A.
They were also one of the top 12 bands to qualify for finals, marking the first time the Normal Marching Band had made it into the finals at a BOA event.
Across all band classes, they placed 9th in finals and earned a division one score (top score range).
The last time Normal Marching Band qualified for finals was back in 1977, when Normal West and Normal Community both made finals at a St. Louis Regional.
“I am most proud that we had the opportunity to share our performance twice–the adrenaline of a finals performance under the lights in front of a full stadium is unmatched,” Budzinski stated.
“Unlike athletics, our discipline is offense only–there is no defense, and we cannot control anyone else’s game, so we measure our success more on how we stack up against the best possible version of ourselves as opposed to where we place competitively,” he continued.
Due to her performance in Hadestown as Eurdyce, prior participation in marching, and enhancing the marching band with her vocals, the Normal Marching band decided to incorporate West junior, Lena Hemp, into the band as a singer.
According to Budzinski, other marching bands have had a singer, but it’s not super common in competitive marching bands.
“She definitely brings a strength that is special to our group and uncommon in the world of competitive marching band,” Budzinski said.
The Normal Marching Band has about 140 members. Because of the band’s size, during rehearsals, students are broken up into groups with specific goals. Eventually, the groups come together to build the entire production.
The Normal Marching Band takes student leadership, staff, and even parent volunteers to support the band.
“It takes a village, and we’re really proud of everyone’s contribution to the good of our team,” Budzinski stated.
On Saturday, October 25, the Normal Marching Band attended the Illinois Marching Band Championships at the University of Illinois.
At the competition, the Normal Marching Band ranked first among the 11 bands in Class 6A. They also conquered the “Governor’s Cup Grand Championship,” receiving the highest score out of the 25 bands in 4A, 5A, and 6A classes combined.
The Normal Marching Band has set a goal to make each performance its strongest, and Budzinski believes that the group has accomplished that goal.
“This band and this competitive production have both been very special this year, so it was wonderful to showcase that one last time in a wonderful venue on a beautiful fall Saturday evening,” Budzinski said.
Even though the Normal Marching Band has had many achievements, there are still challenges the band has faced.
As the Normal Marching Band continues to grow, they have to add newer sections where the performers are less experienced.
“As with any team, cast, or ensemble, it is important to maintain a high level of commitment to one another, our shared goals, and the habits that support excellence. That takes grit, determination, and work ethic–none of which takes a day or happens by accident,“ Budzinski explained.
However, despite the challenges, Budzinski is proud to see how the Normal Marching Band performers have grown and what they have achieved this season.
“Our whole team is exceptionally proud of the student performers and our 2025 production, Monsters of Our Own Creation,” shared Budzinski.
“We’re also grateful to the Normal West students and staff for supporting us throughout the season; Normal West and Community are a special place. We love that the student section is so supportive at halftime, and that is not something that all marching bands across the country have the opportunity to enjoy,” Budzinski illuminated.
Even though Normal Marching Band’s season has come to an end, Normal West’s band continues to perform over the school year, as their upcoming concerts will be in November and December.
The jazz bands are also getting started, and the musicians from the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony are preparing to perform in Los Angeles in June.
