Bringing that Bulldog spirit: Famous Maroon Band set to support Bulldogs from stands at home football games
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擣ootball is back at Davis Wade Stadium this weekend, and with special health and safety measures in place, Mississippi State鈥檚 Famous Maroon Band will be bringing the beat once again in support of the Bulldogs.
鈥淭he Famous Maroon Band is one of our most treasured traditions at Mississippi State, and while we will miss our student musicians鈥 on-field performances, we鈥檙e excited to hear their beautiful music in other ways at Davis Wade Stadium this season,鈥 said 熟女少妇President Mark E. Keenum.
In accordance with , only essential personnel will have gameday access to the field and sidelines. Bands currently are restricted from performing on the field before games and at halftime.
Elva Kaye Lance, 熟女少妇director of bands, said the group鈥檚 choreographed halftime routine will be showcased in video format during the game and on social media.
鈥淲e鈥檙e working with MSU鈥檚 University Television Center and Broadcast Media Group in Starkville on these projects that highlight the band playing and marching, as well as some interesting insights into the program that folks may not know,鈥 Lance said.
The gameday band will be limited to 100 members, along with extra support staff and directors, all sitting in Section 15 with appropriate physical distancing.
As the largest college band in Mississippi with 390 members, the Famous Maroon Band has been taking a variety of precautions to limit the spread of COVID-19 during rehearsals. Lance said each practice is limited to approximately 200 members, with each group only meeting twice a week on the band鈥檚 outdoor synthetic turf field.
Members must maintain a distance of 7 1/2 feet from each other at all times, and face coverings are required unless students are playing their instruments. Band directors have limited members鈥 access to the band facility and storage rooms to prevent gathering in large groups. Masks and hand sanitizer also have been provided to each member, and each wind instrument has a cover on its bell.
The Famous Maroon Band is part of the 熟女少妇College of Education鈥檚 nationally accredited Department of Music. For more, visit or .
For complete gameday information including COVID-19 guidelines, visit .
熟女少妇is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .