The Bands of America Summer Camp, formerly known as the Music for All Summer Symposium, will return to Ball State University with hundreds of students and directors, plus free concert tickets for Muncie residents
By Rachel Puckett—
MUNCIE, IN —Music for All returns to Ball State University June 21-28 under the new name, the Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha.
Formerly known as the Music for All Summer Symposium, rebranding has brought the camp back to its roots. Bands of America’s first ever event in 1976 was a summer camp, then in 2006 the company merged with Music for All, where they kept the summer camp alive and thriving. As Music for All celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, reuniting with its history was appropriate.
Over 800 students and 150 high school and middle school directors of band and color guard from across the country are expected to attend. Ball State University will once again host the camp as they have since 2011.
The camp is broken into divisions based on the participants’ focused area of study. This year’s divisions include: the drum major institute, color guard and concert band for middle and high school students, marching band, marching percussion, and music production boot camp.
The week’s festivities start with leadership weekend on June 21-22. While leadership is infused throughout the entire camp, students who attend this weekend experience rotate through sessions with hand-picked leadership experts for an in-depth leadership learning experience, regardless of the division they participate in later in the week.
Directors attend their own specific section of camp, The Sweetwater Director Academy, where they continue their professional education. They can focus on high school band, middle school band, the Percussion Specialist Academy, the Color Guard Instructor Academy, the Marching & Moving Instructor Academy, college student and new teacher instruction, or bounce between them all.
Each night, attendees and the Muncie community are invited to enjoy performances from exceptional ensembles and acts. This year’s concerts include:
Yamaha Young Performing Artists – Monday, June 23, 8:00 p.m. at Emens Auditorium
Boston Brass – Tuesday, June 24, 8:00 p.m. at Emens Auditorium
U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors – Wednesday, June 25, 8:00 p.m. at the Brown Family Amphitheater
Fred Armisen – Thursday, June 26, 8:00 p.m. at Emens Auditorium
DCI Tour Preview – Friday, June 27, 8:00 p.m. at Scheumann Stadium
Tickets can be reserved at camp.musicforall.org/concerts/muncie
About Music for All
Music for All’s mission is to create, provide, and expand positively life-changing experiences through music. Our vision is to be a catalyst to ensure that every child in America has access and opportunity for active music-making in their scholastic environment. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization, Music for All’s events and programs serve more than 600,000 attendees annually –– and more than 1.7 million program participants since 1975. Programs include the Bands of America Regional and the Grand National Championships for marching bands; the Bands of America Summer Camp for students and teachers; the Music for All National Festival for concert bands, orchestras, and percussion ensembles; national honor ensembles including the Honor Band of America, Jazz Band of America, and the Honor Band in the Rose Parade®, Advocacy in Action Awards, the Music for All Podcast Network, and affiliate concert and marching events across America. Visit musicforall.org
Music for All’s efforts are supported by national presenting sponsor Yamaha Corporation of America and its family of sponsors, strategic partners, and grantors.
Sponsor Information
Music for All efforts are supported through sponsorships, including current partnerships with National Presenting Sponsor: Yamaha Corporation of America; Official Instrument Rental Partner: Sweetwater; Official Uniform Sponsor: Fred J. Miller, Inc.; Official Student Travel Partner: Music Travel Consultants; Official Spirit Wear Sponsor: PepWear; Corporate Sponsors: Ball State University and Visit Indy; and Associate Sponsor: StylePlus. Music for All is also supported by the Arts Council of Indianapolis and the City of Indianapolis; Ball Brothers Foundation; Lilly Endowment Inc.; George and Frances Ball Foundation; Allen Whitehill Clowes Charitable Foundation, Inc., Nicholas H. Noyes, Jr., Memorial Foundation, Inc, the Arthur Jordan Foundation, The Indiana Arts Commission, and The NAMM Foundation.
