When founded in 1996, the ensembles were officially recognized as ambassadors by then Gov. Evan Bayh and the Indiana Legislature. The quality and motivation of the students is very high. The 80 symphonic band members and 60 concert choir members were chosen from nearly 2,000 top student musicians nominated by band and choir directors statewide. Selected students excel in musicianship, citizenship, moral character and leadership. Most performers are high school students, while others are from Ball State, Indiana, Purdue and Northwestern universities and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
Participants can earn college credit in music performance and music history.
Scagnoli conducts the symphonic band, and the concert choir's conductor is Joseph Barnard, Lafayette Harrison High School choral director and Indiana Music Educators Association president-elect.