53rd CHICAGOLAND
WHEELING HIGH SCHOOL
Established in 1966, and the longest running marching band festival of its kind, CMBF provides an educational marching band experience for bands of all class sizes and performance experience
“...district success is on
display in well-run events
like CMBF...”
-Frank Bischoff, judge and Bands of
America Hall of Fame inductee
“I’m proud to host all of the
schools and their fans.”
-CMBF volunteer
“We love attending CMBF....We
appreciate the judging panel’s
ability to make taped comments
that are both applicable and
helpful for our students to take
their performance to the next
level.”
-Andy Sturgeon, Director of Bands,
Mundelein High School
“This has always been my
favorite marching band
festival!”
-Visiting Spectator
Reasons to attend this marching band festival...
- Become a part of one of the greatest marching
- band traditions in northeastern Illinois
- Professionally run and well organized (we’ve been doing this a long time!)
- Nationally recognized judges
- Professional video recording of your performance
- On-site parking for spectators
- Artificial turf stadium
- CMBF apparel available for sale
- Tasty concessions
Add-ons you likely won’t find at other festivals
- Drum Major Award (camp scholarship with $550 value)
- Instrument award for top band performance
- Clinics with top-notch clinicians right after your show (limited availability)
- Free on-site instrument repair
- Free event program for spectators
And in most years...
- Bands from multiple states
- Exhibition performance by college marching band
