QC, THAT'S WHERE!
QC, THAT'S WHERE!
QC, That's Where the Marching Illini Celebrates Labor Day!
What sparks a lifelong passion for music? Join us as we uncover the journeys of Jack and Anna, two spirited members of the University of Illinois Marching Illini, as they prepare for a heartfelt return to their hometown of Geneseo. From the sousaphone to the trumpet, Jack and Anna reveal their deep connections to their instruments, the thrill of their transition from high school to college marching band, and the meticulous logistics behind traveling with such a large ensemble. Anna shares an insider’s perspective on how game day routines align with parade performances, all while emphasizing the unique energy that community events bring to their music.
But it's not just about the marching band. We dive into Jack and Anna's favorite activities and local foods in the Quad Cities, offering a taste of what they miss most when away. Imagine kayaking on the Hennepin Canal or savoring a scoop of Whitey's Graham Central Station ice cream. Our conversation also touches on their academic pursuits and future plans, with Anna's focus on music education and Jack's aspirations in financial planning and tax services. Their stories are rich with community pride, camaraderie, and the vibrant energy that makes their musical journey so special. Tune in for an episode that's both inspirational and filled with hometown nostalgia.
QC, That's Where is a podcast powered by Visit Quad Cities. Through the people, partnerships, and personalities woven throughout the Quad Cities region, you'll meet real Quad Citizens and hear the untold stories of the region.
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What will it be like for you guys kind of coming back, like I said, being on your home turf?
Speaker 2:Well, it's just exciting to be able to see and perform for people like in my community. People I know, people I love.
Speaker 3:I'm excited to to like, just like, connect these two like parts of my life.
Speaker 4:Where do you find a family of communities connected by the storied Mississippi River, where young explorers and dreamers, investors and entrepreneurs thrive? Where can you connect with real people living and creating in a place that's as genuine as it is quirky QC? That's where.
Speaker 1:Welcome to QC. That's where I'm Katrina, your host, and today I've got Jack Snyder and Anna Poole, two members of the marching band at University of Illinois. How are you guys doing today?
Speaker 3:Good.
Speaker 1:Thank you guys for joining me. So if you're listening in real time, we're a couple days away from the Labor Day parade in Rock Island. It's the 40th year big milestone year for our community having this parade and you guys are kind of coming back to your home turf, both from Geneseo. So, Jack, I'll throw it to you first. What is your instrument and like what sent you to be part of the Illini Marching Band?
Speaker 2:I play the. I play the sousaphone in the band, which is basically a marching tuba, and what wanted me to join the band is my freshman year of high school.
Speaker 1:I really enjoyed marching and I just wanted to continue to do that for as long as I could. Anna same question.
Speaker 3:Instrument. What drew you to Illini Band? I've had a pretty long history as far as my family in the Marching Illini. I play the trumpet. A few of my older cousins who also grew up in Geneseo were there in the band, and then my older sister, who's only two years older than me, also played in the band. So I was like, okay, this is something I really want to do. So it's just something I've really wanted to do since I was really in middle school, before I even like started like high school marching band and then I really enjoyed high school marching band. So I was like, okay, yeah, this is for me.
Speaker 1:Did either of you dabble in any other instruments, like along the way I?
Speaker 2:started playing the piano in first grade and then ended up stopped playing piano once I started playing the tuba.
Speaker 1:That's cool. Yeah, that's kind of where I started, but that's also where I stopped. So kudos to you guys for like making this kind of like a, you know, college career path endeavor so super exciting. It's exciting for us that such a big marching band, like staple piece of the state, is coming to be part of it. So I was wondering, can you guys kind of talk to any preps, any you know? What does it take to you know, to take Marching Illini to you know a different location? So, anna, if you want to start, if there's any insight on, just kind of give us the background.
Speaker 3:So I think we'll be traveling by bus and we usually take, so the band is like 400, 400, some people large, um, so we, I think, take at least four or maybe like four to six. I honestly don't really remember how many charter buses we take, um, but that'll probably be our mode of travel this weekend or on Monday, and we haven't gotten our itinerary yet, but our professor, professor Hauser, always sends out our itineraries for any traveling that we'll be doing. Yeah, and it's part of something like normal that we do for game days, like doing like a parade, so we call it March Out, where we just march from the armory on campus to Memorial Stadium. So, yeah, I really enjoy parades, so I think it'll be. I think it'll be fun.
Speaker 1:Jack, can you kind of speak to like the differences between, you know, being in a high school marching band versus what you guys experience at the college level?
Speaker 2:It's definitely more work. Well, I guess, depending on the program, it's a lot more work, but it's really cool just being able to play with the bands four times bigger than what I played in high school. So just hearing all that huge wall of sound that we can create, that's really cool. And then also being able to play for a audience that is what like 60 times bigger than what I could even imagine in high school it's just an amazing experience to have.
Speaker 1:When you guys do parades, what kind of you know reception do you feel? Like you know, is the excitement up? Is it different from, like you know, game days? What's kind of the vibe at parades?
Speaker 3:because, like we're marching, like really close to a lot of people like that walk along with the bands. Like when my family comes to visit, like they'll find me like in the parade block and they'll walk along with me. So it's really really great energy. We have a lot of like vocals and like movements that we do besides like playing during the parade, so it's just a fun time to connect with like the people in the ensemble, but then also like the people who are walking along with the band. It's just a fun time to connect with like the people in the ensemble, but then also like the people who are walking along with the band. It's just really great fun energy.
Speaker 1:What will it be like for you guys kind of coming back, like I said, being on your home turf?
Speaker 2:It's just exciting to be able to see and perform for people like in my community. People I know, people I love.
Speaker 3:I think it'll definitely feel a little bit, a little bit weird, um, but I'm excited to to like, just like connect these two like parts of my life, um, and just like show something to my uh home area, like, uh, what I've been doing in college so yeah well, we're so excited to have you guys.
Speaker 1:I I know that, like I said, this is such a big deal for this particular event having you all, and we're excited to welcome you guys, especially the natives. Quad City natives and I was driving down 18th Avenue recently in Rock Island and I saw there's a big banner already in the middle of the street promoting the parade coming. So it's going to be a big deal and I think everybody that comes and watches is going to be really excited. Super cool element to add this year. So, parade aside, all of that kind of aside, can you guys highlight I'll start with you, jack what's been kind of like a highlight favorite moment you know, in your two years so far being part of Marching Illini?
Speaker 2:Honestly, my favorite moment was last year. Like every year we do a performance where we go to a more local community that's not in Champaign to perform, and last year we went to Washington High School down in Peoria area and it was just really cool to be able to see a literal packed house of their stadium full of people that are just there to hear the band. And that's probably one of my favorite parts is being able to play for the communities and everyone's there just to see you.
Speaker 1:Anna, this is your senior year, so you're going into your final year with Marching Illini. What has been a favorite moment for you so far? Because you've got a whole. You know you got extra, extra time, but what? What has been like a pluck out moment.
Speaker 3:Um, it's honestly really hard to decide Cause, like you said, like there's so many moments that I could highlight. Um, something that I would really like never forget and never forget the feeling was the first time we actually um like did our pregame show, like uh, for an audience, like at the first game my freshman year. Um, like, the energy in the stadium is just electric. Like when we do um our run on and then uh do our um 15 minute pregame show, it's just um as like challenging as it is like physically, you know, to like hold the horn up and stuff like that. Um it it's just such a fun thing performing for that many people with like all the lights, all the sounds. Uh, it's just really, really exciting. It's an exciting thing. So yeah, Okay.
Speaker 1:So imagine the freshmen at Geneseo high school who's just starting, you know, kind of coming up in band. What's your advice to them? You know, if they want to make this kind of a long term commitment, what would you say to that person?
Speaker 3:I would tell them to go for it and get involved in the marching band in any way that they possibly can. I know I tried to be a section leader as soon as I could when I was in high school. That was a really, really great experience, like being in a leadership position, and it just made me love the activity even more because I could see like how much of an impact I could have like on the band and also make a lot of friends. I know all my closest friends in high school.
Speaker 3:I made um through marching bands and that's also true here, especially with our pre-season camp that we do, which, as an incoming freshman, like you can't really do all the normal freshman activities. So then you kind of just like intermingle with all the band people and then you make your friends through bands and having rehearsal an hour and a half every day, like you see them every day. So it's just um a really, really awesome place to make friends. So so, yeah, get involved um, go for leadership positions if you can and make friends jack, how about you I?
Speaker 2:would say just make sure you keep having fun in the activity. If you enjoy doing it, you'll. You'll just want to keep doing it as long as you can.
Speaker 1:I, uh, I was in band um a couple of years in middle school and I just could never like find my instrument, you know, and so I ended up kind of not continuing with it. But I just always thought like like such kudos to um my classmates that were in band and in marching band, because I know the time commitment that it took, but also like just that raw talent that comes out and like grows, you know, as the years go on and and you guys were literally like the heartbeat of every event that we had, you know, every pep rally, every, every game, every sporting event. So just like huge props to you guys for making this part of your you know school years and continuing on with it, cause I know what a huge, like I said, time commitment and just how much you put your own heart and soul into this, so way to go, and thank you for doing it.
Speaker 1:So at Visit Quad Cities we like to say that the Quad Cities is the creative capital of the Midwest and I would love your perspective on this statement. We can back that up with a lot of kind of the arts and culture scene. There's, you know, growing events like Alternating Currents around here. We've got the Figge Art Museum, circa 21, and then other like Playhouse Theaters and the Quad City Symphony Orchestra. So I mean, just from your perspective, would you agree that that statement, you know, quad City's creative capital of the Midwest kind of rings true, jack, would you agree that that statement Quad Cities Creative Capital of the Midwest?
Speaker 2:no-transcript. Yeah, I would say so. I mean looking at some of the marching bands that we see whenever we competed as high schoolers, just seeing how talented everyone was was really cool and like hearing the history of music in the Quad Cities. Like I know, jazz like kind of like started forming the Quad Cities as well as it being one of the huge Mississippi towns. Just knowing that history of music that we've had in this community really just speaks to how, how great the fine arts are in the Quad Cities.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I really agree with everything Jack said. I remember, like when I was younger, like in elementary school, we'd always take trips to the Fig Art Museum. That was always one of my favorite things that I did when I was younger, and I've also gone to Circa 21 with my parents multiple times and it's just a really great experience to do, like over holiday or like whenever I'm visiting. And yeah, like what Jack said, I always really enjoy the marching band competitions. When I was in high school, it's probably one of my favorite things like weekend activities that I looked forward to in high school. Um, yeah, I I definitely agree with that statement for sure yeah, and there's.
Speaker 1:It seems like, you know, there's so many kind of arts and culture experiences that are like kind of um legacy and then also new ones popping up all the time like, um, I don't know if you guys have ever been to the Genesis Guild in in Rock Island, but they play. They're like a you Shakespearean not playhouse because they're outside, but they are, you know, a group of theatrical actors and they kind of put on shows. I believe they're free but yeah, just throughout the summer months in Rock Island and that's a super cool experience. And then just the like live music popping up.
Speaker 1:It just seems like there's so many really talented singer-songwriters, bands that play around here and it's just so cool because a lot of the things that go on in the Quad Cities are free or low cost and just kind of speaks to a whole group of people. Whether you like rock music or kind of more mellow stuff, or if you're into, like you know, marching band or orchestra, it's like it seems like there's something for everybody here. And then to hear your experience too with, like you know, the, the jazz coming up around here and obviously that that's one of those more legacy pieces with, like Biederbeck and the jazz festival. So, yeah, that's just that's something that we really like hold on to, and people like you guys, who continue to make music like part of your life, really just adds to that ambience. So is there anything else that you guys are kind of looking forward to in this 2024, 2025 school year?
Speaker 3:There are a lot of things I'm looking forward to. As you said, like, this is my senior year and as a music student, I'm a music education major, so I'm really immersed in music every single day. I'm excited for my last ensemble concerts this semester. I'm playing in the University of Illinois Wind Orchestra and the Concert Jazz Band, so I'm really excited to see where those take me this semester, as well as the Marching Illini, and we're hoping for maybe some traveling at the end, some bowl traveling. I don't know, we'll see how it goes. It's game one, so let's go yeah, but yeah this semester. I'm definitely really excited to see how things wrap up for me, jack what will be on your highlight reel this year.
Speaker 2:I'm excited to grow closer to with all my friends in the band, grow closer to that community and also trying to make sure I make it to more of the music events that are around campus, because there's so many.
Speaker 1:I miss on way too many last year that are around campus, because there's so many and I missed on way too many last year.
Speaker 2:Oh, okay, yeah, Is it like student stuff or is it stuff that the school brings in for you guys? Honestly, a mix of both, because I mean Anna said she was in the Wind Symphony, I believe. So being able to hear those and all the other concert bands that we have and all the choirs that we have, all the orchestras we have I think there's some good jazz scene here that I could go listen to and then also, every once in a while, the school will bring in like a big, big, like headline concert that we could go see as well.
Speaker 1:That's awesome, very cool. So we will start to wrap up this podcast. I've got just a few kind of rapid fire questions for each of you guys. So, jack, I'll start with you. So, on a summer day in the Quad Cities area, what is one or two things you like to do?
Speaker 2:One of my favorite things to do this past summer was to kayak down the Hennepin Canal now?
Speaker 3:Awesome, anna, I'll throw it to you. Something I really enjoyed in high school was going to the mall, like South Park or North Park Mall, or, like Jack said, I'm really close to the Hennepin Canal, like my house, so, yeah, those trails are also really nice to do, so yeah, yeah, those trails are also really nice to do so yeah, I have to get down there and do that.
Speaker 1:That sounds so fun. Okay, Anna, um must must experience Quad City food item.
Speaker 3:Oh, geez, okay, Um, I gotta think about this one. Um, I don't know. Know, whenever I talk to my friends um who like around here that um aren't from like the midwest, I always ask, like, have you ever heard of whitey's ice cream? And, uh, I gotta think of my favorite flavor. I really like the think it's called. My mom just bought it for me when I was at home before the semester started Graham Central Station, that's what it's called. The Graham Central Station ice cream from Whitey's. That's the most delicious thing ever.
Speaker 1:I agree. Okay, Jack, what's yours?
Speaker 2:I mean, you can never go wrong with Whitey's. But also I just didn't realize this until I think monday, like no one from school has ever heard what a pork burger is.
Speaker 1:I love myself good pork burger where do you get a good pork burger around here?
Speaker 2:I don't know if I do I don't know where you can buy one, but my mom would always make them and they're so good okay, it's funny.
Speaker 1:Um, like, I'm originally from michigan and there's a thing oh my gosh, I'm gonna from Michigan and there's a thing oh my gosh, I'm going to forget the name. There's a thing around here that comes a lot of times, is like a side or like an appetizer, and it's like a corn, like a deep fried corn, something Are you familiar with.
Speaker 2:I think I've heard of that.
Speaker 1:Quad Cities thing, but like I don't know, maybe it is, maybe it's not, maybe it's random Pickle wraps, I think, are a Quad Cities thing and then, like Quad City style pizza, I have to say that's probably my number one. Okay, and then what is an experience in the Quad Cities since you've been away at school that like you miss most of all? Or like maybe something that you haven't gotten to do yet?
Speaker 3:Something for me that I kind of miss, especially over the summers I haven't been home like the past three summers but is the Maple City Band and Genesis Community Choir Doing those things are both like really just super fun things because I get to like socialize with the people from the community that like I had never met before but like they're really good musicians the people from the community that like I had never met before but like they're really good musicians and yeah. So those are like two activities that I really really miss and I'm excited to get back to, hopefully maybe this summer, depending on where life takes me.
Speaker 1:So yeah, Jack, how about you?
Speaker 2:I miss the more rural small town feel that I can get at home, the more slower lifestyle that I can have and not all the big hustle and bustle that they have here.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that makes sense, and that's something about the Quad Cities, too, that I've noticed. It's like you can have that like small town feel with big city amenities, like, even if you live in kind of one of the outskirt communities or villages, like you're literally 20 minutes from, like you know, a bigger city, if you will. So I think that's one really cool thing, that, like Quad citizens can tout about the area. Okay, so last question, anna what are you studying and what are your plans after you graduate?
Speaker 3:So, like I mentioned earlier, I am a music education major, so this is my last semester on campus and then I'm going to go student teach next semester and then I'll graduate, and I think what my plans are is to find a job for like a year or so. I want to hopefully go back and get my master's pretty soon after I graduate, but I also want to get that teaching experience to see how it goes and how I like it. Yeah, so that's my plans as of now.
Speaker 1:Awesome. Well, good luck to you. That's super exciting. It's nice to kind of have a plan for when graduation does come. So it sounds like you've got some kind of track to follow. So that'll be super exciting. And, jack, what is your major and where do you think you'll end up after graduation?
Speaker 2:So I'm a financial planning major. I'm thinking about adding an accounting major onto that as well, and my long-term plan is to hopefully come back to the Quad Cities and start my own business as a financial planning tax firm.
Speaker 1:Amazing, that's awesome. That is such a good goal and we love to have people come back here after graduation the boomerang effect, if you will. So all right, well, we will wrap this up. I have one final question for you guys the tradition on this podcast to fill in the blank QC. That's where Jack would you like to start first.
Speaker 2:Quad Cities. That's where home is.
Speaker 1:Perfect Anna. What's yours?
Speaker 3:The Quad Cities. That's where my musical journey started.
Speaker 1:Love it. So Marching Illini are going to be in Rock Island on September 2nd, Labor Day 2024. So don't miss it. Come see Anna and Jack play and support and celebrate with us. So thank you guys so much and I will let you get on with your day.
Speaker 4:Thanks for listening to QC. That's where a podcast powered by visit quad cities text visit QC to three, eight, three, one, four for insider events, activities and updates sent straight to your phone. That's V, ii-s-i-t-q-c, one word to 38314. Message and data rates may apply.