The Monticello Marching Sages high school marching band is off to Bands of America this week.

Band Director Allison Allender is very pleased with how hard her students work and it is paying off in the accomplishments they've attained during the competition season.

According to Allender, the Marching Sages have had a lot of success in the competition schedule. They have had success up against schools of their size and schools bigger than them and so they are looking forward to being in St. Louis against some premier national programs.

Allender has been very pleased with her three drum majors, two of which are first-year drum majors, and also her senior leadership. She says it will be interesting because only her senior class this year has been to the Bands of America competition.

According to Allender, there is an application that needs to be done to enter the competition, but any band can choose to compete in this competition. She feels the students are very excited to be going to St. Louis and performing in the massive The Dome at America's Center. 

Allender indicates the band will leave early this morning (Friday) and perform later in the day at 4:15 pm. 

Other Illinois marching bands performing in St. Louis include Mascoutah, Edwardsville, Belleville East, Danville, Collinsville, Granite City, Normal Community, O'Fallon, Herscher, Huntley, Lake Park, Limestone, Prospect, and Plainfield North.