The 'Pride of Mid-America' Marching Band

The Pride of Mid-America is open to all woodwind and brass players with no audition. Drumline and Color Guard members should visit their respective tabs above to learn more about auditions for those groups. 

Check out our "How to Join" Guide! Simply ask your advisor to enroll you in MUSC 340 2D during orientation, then watch your BSU email account in late June and early July to complete the additional summer camp registration steps. Forgot to enroll or missed orientation? Give us a call in the Band Office! We will help you with the necessary steps to get enrolled in marching band! 765-285-9178.

The Pride of Mid-America (POMA) Marching Band only rehearses three days per week, 3:10 – 5 pm on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The band performs at all home games and occasional away games each year. Game days involve a rehearsal with a meal provided afterward. Color guard and drumline members have sectionals on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 – 5 pm.

If your band felt like your second family, you will be right at home in our Ball State Band family! Performing with the Pride of Mid-America, however, is not like most high school marching band experiences. Our rehearsal schedule is typically different (see above), and we perform multiple shows throughout the season, rather than one show.

We perform a wide range of styles and genres that keep things new and fresh for us and keep our crowds entertained, all while supporting our Ball State University Cardinals!  We have high standards for our playing and marching and lots of school spirit!

Yes! The Pride of Mid-America is made up of students representing a variety majors from across the university. We’ll happily put you in touch with a POMA member of the same or similar major to discuss what the experience is like. Just call our office: 765-285-9178.

Instrumental music education majors are highly encouraged to join the marching band, especially if they desire to teach high school instrumental music. The marching band is considered a "designated ensemble" at Ball State.

Yes. Everyone will enroll for MUSC 340 2D, which is one credit hour. Color guard and drumline will also enroll in MUSC 340 2F for an additional credit hour. For students who have majors with heavy credit loads, zero credit options for enrolling are available.

Early Week rehearsals begin a week and a half before school starts. Due to this, band members are allowed to move into university housing before the normal move-in times, prior to the start of Welcome Week. 

When you complete summer registration for marching band, there will be a $95 registration fee to cover costs such as uniform cleanings, meals, banquet, etc. New members will also purchase required Pride of Mid-America apparel. These items will not necessarily need to be re-purchased from year to year. Color Guard has additional apparel purchase requirements.

Yes. There is a rental fee of $30 per semester and a refundable yearly deposit of $50. We rent tenor saxophones, percussion, and all silver brass: trumpets, mellophones, baritones, and sousaphones, and percussion. Other instruments are available on a limited basis.

You will request to rent an instrument during the summer registration process (can link to that here again) and pick up your instrument when you arrive for Early Week rehearsals.

Concert band opportunities exist for all levels of players at Ball State! You can audition for Wind Ensemble or Symphony Band or you may join Campus or Concert Bands with no audition!

Find more information here.