As members of the Marching Mustang community, we are deeply saddened to know by the recently released University of Illinois Marching Championship itinerary that we will not be staying long enough to watch the Marching Illini, and we urge you to reconsider this decision. We understand all the factors that may have led you to choose to leave early, such as concern over a lack of sleep going into early events for students the next day. Despite this, a majority of the students look forward to the UofI trip for the chance to see the Marching Illini from the stands instead of from the sideline. As students who are dedicated to and enjoy marching very much, it’s an incredibly cool experience and opportunity to see the forms of the Marching Illini from above. In addition to this, it’s also a strong sense of kinship to be able to sit in the bleachers among friends that we will not get to see often going into concert season. As our last experience of marching season, it’s important to us that we get this time with our friends. Despite the exhaustion, and other reasons that may have contributed to the decision not to stay, it’s implied amongst a majority of band members that this experience is fun for everyone. Personally, having asked around to other members of the band if they are excited for this trip, I have gotten incredibly positive answers. This is a very important trip to all of us, as our last experience with the whole band, with seniors inevitably leaving at the end of the year. We enjoy hanging around our fellow Marching Mustangs, for lack of a better word, and it’s significant to us that we not only get to stay to hang out with them, but also see the Marching Illini. We know you probably will not change the itinerary, but we wanted to voice our concerns and hope that you will consider changing your mind.