The Ball State School of Music's numerous student, faculty, and community ensembles represent a wide variety of opportunities for musical performance, enrichment, and enjoyment. Most of our ensembles perform during the fall and spring semesters, but a few summer ensembles are also available.

All of our student ensembles are open to Ball State undergraduate and graduate music majors as well as non-music students across campus. Youth and adult musicians from the local community are invited to participate in our community ensembles.

Bands
Orchestra Ensemble on stage in Sursa Performance Hall

2023 Spring Audition Excerpts (Available Soon)

The Ball State University Bands enjoy a long and distinguished reputation for outstanding performances on campus, as well as at state and national conventions and athletic events.

The mission of the Ball State band program is to foster a commitment to excellence that enables students to reach their highest level of musical performance and artistry whether in the concert hall or on the athletic field. The program offers a balanced curriculum that prepares music majors for professional careers and provides non-music majors an outlet for musical growth, expression and creativity.

Membership in any of the university bands is open to all Ball State students regardless of their ability level or major field of study. 

The “Pride of Mid-America” Marching Band

 Open to all students on campus, the “Pride of Mid-America” Marching Band is the most visible ensemble at Ball State University.

students play trumpet on stage

Wind Ensemble

The Wind Ensemble is the premier concert ensemble of the Ball State band program. Its members are selected by audition from the most outstanding wind and percussion performers on the Ball State campus.

student plays horn on stage

Wind Symphony

Comprised of approximately 50-65 undergraduate and graduate students who have attained an exceptional level of proficiency on their instruments, the Wind Symphony is the second auditioned ensemble in the Ball State band program.

brass ensemble performing on stage

Campus Band

The Campus Band requires no audition for participation and provide an opportunity for music and non-music majors to perform in a traditional concert band with a limited rehearsal and performance schedule.

clarinet players performing at sursa performance hall

Summer Band

The Summer Concert Band is open to all Ball State students, faculty, alumni, and community members and typically performs in Sursa Performance Hall during Summer Session I.

basketball band performing at worthen arena

Cardinal Pride Basketball Band

The Basketball Band is a highly spirited group of musicians who perform at Worthen Arena for the Ball State men’s and women’s basketball games. Auditions are not required for woodwind or brass musicians.

 

High School Band Day

High School Bands are invited every fall to join the Pride of Mid-America in a halftime performance and game day experience at Scheumann Stadium!

Ball State Honors Band performs on stage

 

High School Honor Band Festival

The honor band is open to all high school students through a simple audition process.

Tom Caneva conducting a wind band on stage

Ball State Bands Conducting Workshop

Conductors of all levels of training are invited to join us each spring to improve conducting, teaching, and rehearsing.

Alumni Band Day

 

See All Band Events

See our calendar to view all upcoming band ensemble events.

View Calendar

Ball State University Bands
Music Instruction Building
2000 W University Ave.
Muncie, IN 47306
(765) 285-9178
bands@bsu.edu

Learn more (PDF) about the storied history of Ball State Bands.

Graduate Program in Wind Conducting

wind band symphony performing on stage

The graduate program in wind band conducting is a small and selective program that prepares students to effectively function in academic and professional settings. Ball State offers  a master of music with a major in conducting and the doctor of arts in music with a primary emphasis in conducting. Graduate assistantships and yearly stipends are available for students in these programs.

The School of Music is home to the Ball State Symphony Orchestra and the Campus Orchestra. Both orchestras consist of music majors, minors, and non-majors. They perform repertoire from all genres and time periods. Learn more (PDF) about the storied history of Ball State orchestral program.

SEE AN ORCHESTRA PERFORMANCE

female student plays violin on stage

Ball State Symphony Orchestra

The Symphony Orchestra is the premier university orchestra and performs monthly concerts in Sursa Performance Hall. It also serves as the main stage opera orchestra in the spring semester and performs several off-campus performances each year. Auditions are held at the beginning of each academic year. Learn more.

Students play stringed instruments on stage

Campus Orchestra

The Campus Orchestra is a non-auditioned full orchestra featuring students and members of the Ball State community. Learn more.

Graduate Orchestra Conducting Program

Symphony Orchestra with conductor on stage

The graduate program in conducting is a small and selective program that prepares students to effectively function in academic and professional settings. Ball State offers a master of music with a major in conducting and a doctor of arts in music with a primary emphasis in conducting. Graduate assistantships and yearly stipends are available for students in these programs.

The School of Music is home to three student jazz ensembles and a number of student jazz combos. The ensembles are open to music majors, minors, and non-majors and require an audition at the beginning of each academic year.

SEE A JAZZ ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE

full jazz band performing on stage

Jazz Ensemble 1

Jazz 1 is the flagship of the Ball State jazz program and enjoys the reputation of being one of the best collegiate bands in the country. The band rehearses five hours per week and tours throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more.

brass ensemble performing on stage

Jazz Ensemble 2

Jazz 2 maintains an active rehearsal and performance schedule throughout the year. This ensemble focuses on a wide range of classic big band literature and musical styles with an emphasis on mastering the basics of jazz performance: dynamics, articulation, and performance style. Learn more.

female saxophone player practices on stage

Jazz Ensemble 3

Jazz 3 plays six concerts per year with students working towards developing sectional and improvisational skills in the jazz style. An emphasis is placed on scales, sight reading, intonation, ensemble playing, and improvisation. Learn more.

students perform jazz ensemble on stage

Jazz Combos

The Ball State Jazz Combos provide small group experiences in jazz and commercial music under the direction of our jazz faculty. The number of combos varies from semester to semester with no less than six rehearsing per semester. Learn more.

Find Your Voice

As part of the School of Music, the Ball State University Choral Program provides a rich variety of experiences and opportunities for students of all ages and majors. Literature in all choirs is taken from all genres and style periods, with choral/orchestral works frequently performed with the Ball State Symphony Orchestra and regional professional orchestras.

Each ensemble, although different in scope, strives for the highest possible performance level to ensure that each singer will have an artistically rewarding experience.

See a choir performance

two female singers performing on stage

Chamber Choir

The Ball State University Chamber Choir is the university’s most prestigious concert choir, typically comprised of 32 singers: mostly upper-level music majors and graduate students. Learn more.

choir performing on stage

Concert Choir

The Concert Choir is a select ensemble open to students of all disciplines by audition. Over the course of several semesters of participation, members will perform accompanied and a cappella music representing a broad spectrum of history and cultures. Learn more.

choir performing on stage

University Choral Union

The University Choral Union (UCU) is the perfect choir for the casual singer or busy non-music major. UCU is a large and lively mixed choir that meets once each week. Learn more.

statesmen choir performing on stage

Cardinal Chorus

Cardinal Chorus is a tenor/bass ensemble open to students of all disciplines who enjoy sharing camaraderie through music and excellence in live performance. Learn more.

female singers performing on stage

Vox Anima

Vox Anima is a treble-voice ensemble (sopranos or altos) open to students of all disciplines who enjoy sharing camaraderie through music and achieving excellence in performance. Learn more.

university singers performing on stage

University Singers

Ball State’s show choir, University Singers, is composed of 40 students, including singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and sound technicians. The touring ensemble, Indiana’s Official Goodwill Ambassador, performs multiple times per year throughout the state and nation, ending the season with the “Spectacular” performance. Learn more.

Graduate Program in Conducting

conductor in front of choir performance

Graduate study in choral conducting is available at the masters and doctoral levels. With abundant podium time leading our choral ensembles, our curriculum balances practical experiences with rigorous training in music history, analysis, and performance skills. Graduate students work closely with faculty to prepare for careers as professional musicians. For more information, please contact Andrew Crow.

Music students perform an opera on stage

Opera Theatre

Ball State Opera Theatre students perform operas that are relevant to their future as singers in a rehearsal environment that works as much like the professional world as possible. We offer three operas each year: the Fall Chamber Opera, the Opera Gala in the Spring, and the Spring Mainstage Production. Learn more.

See an opera performance

students play flutes on stage

The School of Music offers a wide range of chamber music opportunities from traditional mixed-instrument groups to same-instrument ensembles. Students receive weekly coaching by performance faculty and have the opportunity to perform on various concerts on and off campus throughout the year.

String Ensembles

The string area has a number of ensemble offerings including the Harp Ensemble and several String Chamber Music Ensembles. Learn more.

Woodwind Ensembles

The woodwind area offers a diverse array of ensembles including the Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, Saxophone Ensembles, Bassoon Ensemble, and Woodwind Chamber Music. Learn more.

Brass Ensembles

The brass area’s ensembles have frequently performed at conferences and festivals across the country. Ensembles include the Ball State Fanfare Trumpet Ensemble, Trumpet Ensemble, Robert E. Marsh Horn Ensemble, Trombone Choir, Euphonium-Tuba Ensemble, and Brass Chamber Music. Learn more.

Percussion Ensembles

The percussion area features three percussion ensembles and two Brazilian ensembles. Each ensemble performs once a semester in the 640-seat Pruis Hall. Learn more.

New Music Ensemble

Dedicated to performing works by composers from the past 50 years (including works by student and faculty composers), the New Music Ensemble performs each semester and explores extended techniques, graphic scores, and unconventional performance practices. Learn more.

Other Ensembles

The School of Music is also home to piano-chamber music groups and Collegium Musicum, an early music ensemble open to all students and community members. Learn more.

Other Ensembles

students play horns on stage

Faculty Ensembles

School of Music faculty-in-residence ensembles have toured throughout the United States and abroad, and perform on campus regularly. Learn more.


young symphony orchestra practices in a classroom

Community Ensembles

The School of Music’s summer ensembles are open to community members and include a summer choir, jazz ensemble, and concert band. Learn more.