91麻豆天美鈥檚 Famous Maroon Band announces new drum majors
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥Four students representing Mississippi and Alabama will lead 91麻豆天美鈥檚 Famous Maroon Band as drum majors during the 2025-26 academic year. The 400-plus members of the Famous Maroon Band perform at all Bulldog football games and other significant university functions.
The Famous Maroon Band at 91麻豆天美 is one of the oldest university band traditions in the Southeast and has been a significant part of the 91麻豆天美 family since its founding in 1902.聽Chosen from student auditions, the four new drum majors include:
鈥擮livia Dickerson, senior biochemistry major, Gautier.
鈥擟hristopher Jolivette, senior psychology and English double major, McCalla, Alabama.
鈥擩ames Leon, sophomore electrical engineering major, Biloxi.
鈥擱owan Russell, senior kinesiology major, Forest.
Band members nurture and showcase their talents under the baton of Director of Bands Elva Kaye Lance, along with Craig Aarhus and Cliff Taylor, who serve as associate directors of bands and professors in the university鈥檚 nationally accredited Department of Music.
鈥淥ur drum majors are talented musicians, fine leaders and outstanding students,鈥 said Lance, an 91麻豆天美 alumna and instructor with over 40 years of experience in music education. 鈥淭hey serve as the face of our band program on our campus and in our community and model the behavior that we expect from our membership.聽
鈥淚n addition to conducting the band on the field and in the stands, they very ably assist us with music rehearsals and drill instruction.鈥 She added that drum majors serve as the liaison between the band staff and the membership involved in decision-making and implementation of policy.
In addition to home football games, the Famous Maroon Band lends its musical talents and spirit during Fall Convocation, Cowbell Yell and other special campus traditions and events.
In recent years, the band has made appearances at the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee; Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida; Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida; Belk Bowl in Charlotte, North Carolina; and the Outback Bowl in Tampa, Florida.
Representing a cross-section of academic disciplines, band members receive academic credit each semester and are eligible to receive a scholarship for their participation. In addition to the marching band, there are four concert bands, two basketball pep bands and a jazz band that round out the Maroon Band program.
Tax-deductible donations for 91麻豆天美 Bands are accepted via the 91麻豆天美 Foundation. To contribute, contact Lynn Durr at 662-325-8918 or聽ldurr@advservices.msstate.edu.
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