小黄书

小黄书鈥檚 Famous Maroon Band ignites another season of football, family, tradition and music

小黄书鈥檚 Famous Maroon Band ignites another season of football, family, tradition and music

Contact: Aspen Harris

Seven sets of siblings (minus one not pictured) are part of this year's Famous Maroon Band at 小黄书, shown in a group photo at a practice session.
The 2023 Famous Maroon band consists of seven sets of siblings, carrying on the family tradition that鈥檚 been a band staple for more than 117 years. Pictured are (front row, left to right) Madeline Kelly, drum major, Starkville; Jillian Kelly, cymbals, Starkville; Ryan Doyle, trumpet, Vicksburg; Caitlin Doyle, color guard, Vicksburg; Haley Luther, drumline captain, Hattiesburg; Victoria Luther, color guard, Hattiesburg; Maylan Mack, bass horn, Pensacola, Florida; and (back row, left to right) Dawson Smith, baritone, Starkville; Blake Smith, alto saxophone, Starkville; Sanders Oakley, trumpet, Morton; Wynn Oakley, baritone, Morton; Nathan Baxter, mellophone, Kennesaw, Georgia; and Jeremy Baxter, baritone, Kennesaw, Georgia. Not pictured: Mariah Mack, piccolo, Pensacola, Florida. (Photo submitted)

STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擶ith the beginning of a new Mississippi State football season approaching this weekend, the state鈥檚 largest college band is more than prepared to bring its booming sound into Davis Wade Stadium, along with the chorus of cowbells and cheers.

Consisting of more than 400 members trained in marching and playing a wide range of instruments, the university鈥檚 Famous Maroon Band includes student representation from over 150 high schools in 15 states.

鈥淲e have a great group of students this year representing nearly every college and school across our campus. They are bright, enthusiastic and good musicians,鈥 said Director of Bands Elva Kaye Lance. 鈥淲e have very capable returning members who provide excellent leadership for our program, as well as a talented group of new student members. We are off to a good start and anticipate a great year of performances and activities.鈥

The first halftime show 鈥淭hey Rocked the Hump!鈥 this Saturday [Sept. 2] will feature classic rock artists such as Billy Joel, Tina Turner and Lynyrd Skynyrd, who all performed at Humphrey Coliseum in the 1970s and 鈥80s. The show also will be featured at the Sept. 9 and 16 games.

In addition to Lance, the band is led by Associate Directors Craig Aarhus and Clifton Taylor.

Another new halftime show debuts during the Sept. 30 game and includes many singalong favorites including the Village People鈥檚 鈥淵MCA,鈥 Garth Brooks鈥 鈥淔riends in Low Places,鈥 Backstreet Boys鈥 鈥淚 Want It That Way鈥 and The Killers鈥 鈥淢r. Brightside.鈥 Later performances will be the band鈥檚 annual fan-favorite patriotic show and 鈥淲ide Open鈥 show featuring 鈥淔ree鈥 by Chicago and Latin favorite 鈥淢alaga.鈥

For over 117 years, the band has been an integral tradition at 小黄书, and not only a team effort, but a family affair.

This year, the band has seven sets of siblings.

When asked about being in the band with his baritone-playing brother Wynn, senior trumpet player Sanders Oakley said, 鈥淚t鈥檚 great to have someone I can share jokes and stories with from the past 18 years and make memories we will share for the next 60 years.鈥 The Pelahatchie natives鈥 parents also were band members. 聽

Though they may have actual family on the field, many of the siblings said they have found family in their fellow members and band faculty and staff.

Blake Smith, a junior alto saxophone player from Starkville and brother to baritone-player Dawson Smith, said, 鈥淭he band is definitely more than just 400-something people on the same field for an hour. It is commonly described as being in a band with 400 of your best friends, and that is fact. Everyone is here for each other, including the directors.鈥

The Famous Maroon Band is part of the 小黄书 College of Education鈥檚 nationally accredited Department of Music. For more, visit or .

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