Color Guard
Jenny Waeber, a junior elementary education major, is co-captain of the Ball State University Color Guard.
The Color Guard practices five days a week during football season, Waeber said. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays the guard practices with the whole marching band, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays it practices on its own.
The Color Guard also practices during the seven-day band camp the week before school starts.
In addition to performing at football games, the Color Guard also marches in the Homecoming Parade, the State Fair Parade, the Cardinal Varsity Club Kickoff and at an away trip, Waeber said. During the away trip, the guard performs at a high school football game Friday night.
Color Guard tryouts are in the spring, usually a Saturday in April, Waeber said.
People who try out for the Ball State Color Guard are expected to know basic maneuvers, she said. They are taught a routine and then perform to complete the tryout.
Drum Majors
Andy Schultz, a senior music education major, and Elliot Lentz, a sophomore music education major, are drum majors for the Ball State University marching band.
They help set up drills during practice and conduct the pre-game and half-time shows at football games.
Schultz said he enjoys being a drum major because he likes leading the band and conducting. It allows him help the marching band affect the atmosphere of the football games.
The drum majors tell the band which songs will be played and when while the marching band is in the stands during football games. They also help the band start cheers in the stands.
This allows the marching band to be a bigger part of the football games, Schultz said.
Many college bands lead cheers in the stands during football games, and the students start to expect the band's participation. Schultz said Ball State students are starting to look to the band at different points during the game.
With the addition of a new director this year, Schultz said that he thinks the Ball State marching band will continue to improve.
Cardettes
Amy Pelz, a junior psychology major, is the captain of Cardettes.
The Cardettes perform during the football season. During football games, they perform for all three half-time songs. One of their traditional maneuvers is a kick line, Pelz said.
This year nine of the Cardettes performed at Air Jam as well.
The Cardettes practice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with the marching band, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays they practice in a studio, Pelz said.
They also practice during the week of band camp the week before school starts.
Tryouts for the Cardettes take place in February or April, Pelz said.
While most people who try out for the Cardettes have experience in either studio dance or some dance from high school, no experience is needed to try out, Pelz said.
This year there are 11 Cardettes, Pelz said. About 20 people tried out.
During tryouts, the captains watch potential Cardettes go through leaps, spins and kicks, Pelz said. Then they are taught a routine and perform it for a panel of three judges.
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