Bill > HR0411

This resolution congratulates the Marshall City Band on its remarkable 150-year history, recognizing it as the oldest continuously-operating band in Illinois. Founded in 1875 by Professor Leander Alexander as a 15 to 20-member "all-boy" brass and cornet band, the group has evolved over time to become a 55-musician ensemble that performs weekly summer concerts in Marshall. The resolution highlights the band's historical significance, including its featured appearance in National Geographic magazine in 1998 and its ongoing tradition of performing on Friday nights, with musicians dedicating over 3,000 hours annually to preparing and performing concerts. The Illinois House of Representatives formally acknowledges the band's long-standing contributions to community entertainment and culture, celebrating its upcoming 150th season commemoration on June 6, 2025, and honoring the generations of talented musicians who have sustained this musical tradition in the city of Marshall.

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=411&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HR&SessionID=114&GA=104