Then and Now

Famous Maroon Band marches stronger each decade Then and Now

One of the oldest traditions in the Southeast is the marching band formally established as a military band in 1902 at then Mississippi A&M College. Since then, the band has become the largest by membership in school history. The name "Famous Maroon Band" gets its origins from when the A&M band competed against Alabama for a trophy in 1926. The 40-member group earned the moniker, “Famous Forty” with their secret weapon—new, non-military themed uniforms they debuted to thunderous applause, capturing the trophy after Alabama conceded. In the 1930s, a sportswriter coined the "Famous Maroon Band" and the name remains. At 118 years strong, the band is part of the College of Education’s nationally accredited Department of Music. MSU alumna and Director of Bands Elva Kaye Lance guides members from 19 U.S. states and Colombia, South America. The 420 Bulldogs have many career aspirations and represent academic majors from every MSU college and school. With its rendition of the "Hail State" fight song, the Famous Maroon Band is the ‘soundtrack’ for many significant events.