Mississippi State’s Famous Maroon Band announces new drum majors
Contact: Allison Matthews
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Four students representing Mississippi and Alabama will lead Mississippi State’s 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 MSU is one of the oldest university band traditions in the Southeast and has been a significant part of the Mississippi State family since its founding in 1902. Chosen from student auditions, the four new drum majors include:
—Olivia Dickerson, senior biochemistry major, Gautier.
—Christopher Jolivette, senior psychology and English double major, McCalla, Alabama.
—James Leon, sophomore electrical engineering major, Biloxi.
—Rowan 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’s nationally accredited Department of Music.
“Our drum majors are talented musicians, fine leaders and outstanding students,” said Lance, an MSU alumna and instructor with over 40 years of experience in music education. “They 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.
“In addition to conducting the band on the field and in the stands, they very ably assist us with music rehearsals and drill instruction.” 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 MSU Bands are accepted via the MSU Foundation. To contribute, contact Lynn Durr at 662-325-8918 or ldurr@advservices.msstate.edu.
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