Music for All offers several scholarships to help students, directors, and college students attend the Bands of America Summer Camp. We aim to foster leadership and enhance music education experiences for people who would benefit from receiving financial support to attend camp. Scholarships include the Tang Family Scholarship (6 full scholarships awarded in 2025), the Music for All Foundation Scholarship (34 sliding-scale awards in 2025), the LJ Hancock Scholarship (21 awards in 2025), and the Marion County Scholarship for students in Marion County, Indiana (12 awards in 2025).
Over 1,000 students; a 2018 blog references 1,400+ campers, directors, and faculty at the full week camp
Activities
Arts & Creative
Music
Clues to fit
Setting — Ball State University campus
The Bands of America Summer Camp, presented by Yamaha, is hosted on the beautiful campus of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Located just an hour northeast of Indianapolis, Ball State provides a vibrant and welcoming setting for an unforgettable camp experience. With state-of-the-art facilities, modern dormitories, and easy access to rehearsal spaces, dining halls, and performance venues, the campus is perfectly equipped to meet the needs of our campers. Muncie's friendly community and the university's picturesque grounds create the ideal environment for students and directors to immerse themselves in music, learning, and camaraderie.
2026 BOA Summer Camp Concert Series: Yamaha Young Performing Artists (Monday, June 22 • Emens Auditorium), Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band — an 18-piece jazz orchestra with Grammy Awards (Tuesday, June 23 • Emens Auditorium), Indiana Wind Symphony (Wednesday, June 24 • Brown Family Amphitheater), Trumpet Mafia featuring Ashlin Parker (Thursday, June 25 • Emens Auditorium), and the DCI Tour Preview featuring Carolina Crown, the Cavaliers, and Cincinnati Tradition (Friday, June 26 • Scheumann Stadium).
While at camp, students are required to attend all classes, concerts, and floor meetings. The following is a basic schedule from approximately 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. every day: Breakfast, Morning Classes, Lunch, Leadership, Afternoon Classes, Dinner, Small Groups, Evening Concert, Mandatory Floor Meeting, Bed Check, Lights Out.
Nightly concert series — what it is and why campers love it
Many things set the Music for All Summer Camp apart, and one of those is the nightly concert series, one of our student campers' favorite parts of the experience! Each evening, you'll get up close with amazing live performances, from rock and jazz to classical and more. It's a unique chance to see top touring artists and groups. End the week with a drum corps show at the stadium!
Student divisions include: Drum Major Institute, Marching Band (Winds), Marching Percussion, Color Guard (Middle School and High School), Concert Band (Middle School and High School), Jazz, and the Music Production Bootcamp. Your division applies to the Full Week Camp experience. Students from any division may choose to add Leadership Weekend (High School Students Only) to the beginning of the week.
Students will stay in a dorm room with one other student. Music for All will email the housing assignment in June. Students may choose their own roommate during registration. Roommates must choose one another in order to be paired together. Housing is supervised by our outstanding SWAG team to ensure a safe and supportive environment.
Located in the lively north neighborhood, our camp residence halls offer state-of-the-art amenities and a prime spot near North Dining. You'll enjoy all the comforts of home with campus essentials just steps away! These are not your parents' dorm rooms!
All Final Performances are free and open to all parents and family members who wish to attend. They will begin at approximately 10:00 a.m. ET and conclude at 12:00 p.m. on the last Saturday of camp.
Financial aid — scholarship made rural Title I attendance possible (director review)
Scholarships from Sweetwater and this camp made it possible for my rural Title I students to attend. Their growth and the impact on our band program have been incredible.
