From Guns ‘n' Roses to Lady Gaga, the 2010-2011 "Pride of Mid-America" Marching Band represented the Ball State football team throughout their home games, all the while broadening their musical horizons.
Uniting fans of all ages together in song and spirit, this year's marching band successfully entertained Cardinal football fans.
"A college marching band has a tremendous role to play in the life of the campus, especially at football games. It is the one organization on campus that can bind all generations of our BSU community, students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members, together in spirit," Shawn Vondran, assistant director of bands and assistant professor of music performance at Ball State, said. "Whether it's singing the National Anthem, clapping along with the Fight Song, or putting an arm around a friend for the playing of the Alma Mater, the marching band gives everyone the opportunity to participate in the life of the university and have a greater connection to it."
This year's band played an array of numbers in hopes of entertaining all ages.
"Our first show was a Guitar Hero Show and featured music from the video game: Black Sabbath, Guns ‘n' Roses, Queen, and Skynyrd," Vondran said. "Somewhat to my surprise, our Lady Gaga show seemed to be the biggest hit of the year with our fans. I turned around to see people, even in their 40s and 50s, mouthing the words to ‘Poker Face' and ‘Bad Romance.' Taking on the challenge of playing those pieces in a way that the crowd will recognize them and participate with us was a great thrill for our students."
Vondran specifically remembers an instance in which the marching band's spirit was needed at a football game.
"If I had to pick an event to highlight, I would point to our trip to Central Michigan. It was a cold, blustery day and the Ball State cheering section was, well, us. We made our presence at the stadium known immediately and it ended up that both the football team and band owned the day," Vondran said.
For freshman photojournalism major and drummer Tyler Varnau, the social aspect of marching band made this year's season entertaining.
"The best part was all of the people I met and the friends I made. I'm still in contact with a lot of the people in the line. Those guys are my dudes," he said.
As for next year, Vondran would like more students to join the marching band.
"There is only one real goal for the Pride: to represent our great university in a way that is commensurate with its excellence, values and traditions," he said. "Beyond that, I would like to see our membership continue to grow and involve students from all across our campus.
"We are open to any student on this campus, regardless of major. In that way, we truly are Ball State's band."
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
