Contact: Bethany Shipp
STARKVILLE, Miss.āMississippi Stateās Famous Maroon Band is being formally recognized next week as the 2026 recipient of the highest national collegiate band award, the Sudler Trophy.
Multiple university events celebrate the milestone Sept. 24-27, reaching a crescendo with a special halftime presentation during Saturdayās [Sept. 26] football game at Davis Wade Stadium.
Regarded as the Heisman Trophy of the collegiate band world, the Sudler Trophy is awarded biennially by the John Philip Sousa Foundation and can only be won by a band program once, recognizing the programās history of excellence, tradition and national respect.
āWe are deeply humbled to have been selected for this prestigious award,ā Ļć½¶Ö±²„Director of Bands Elva Kaye Lance said. āThis recognition belongs to the many people who, throughout the decades, have proudly performed with the Famous Maroon Band and served in leadership roles within the band program.
āIt also belongs to the countless individuals and organizations who have supported the band and our university through their time, talents, resources and encouragement. Their contributions have been essential to our success, and we are truly grateful for each of them,ā she added. āWe are delighted to share this celebration with everyone who has been a part of the Famous Maroon Bandās journey and who has helped make this honor possible.ā
The celebration weekend kicks off Thursday [Sept. 24] with a concert by MSUās Wind Ensemble and State Singers. Free and open to the public, the performance takes place at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Hallās Bettersworth Auditorium. Comprised of the universityās premier instrumental musicians, the ensemble showcases a diverse selection of repertoire highlighting the precision, power and versatility of the modern wind ensemble. The concert celebrates the rich history of the band program as well as the Department of Musicās 2026 Hall of Fame honorees, including Ernie Collins, first-call Nashville trombonist, Broadway musician, arranger and producer; Paula Corley, distinguished clarinet educator, author, clinician and leader in music education; and Patricia OāKelly, National Symphony Orchestra publicist, media relations executive and industry leader.
Famous Maroon Band alumni and distinguished guests gather for the Sudler Trophy Award Banquet on Friday [Sept. 25] at 7 p.m. in the First United Methodist Churchās Christian Life Center. Participation is limited to those who have registered for the event.
Additionally, the Ļć½¶Ö±²„Alumni Band performs at halftime and plays in the stands during Saturdayās [Sept. 26] game.
The halftime Sudler Trophy presentation is conducted by Gordon Henderson, a distinguished band director and educator. He is best known for his 37āyear tenure leading the UCLA Bruin Marching and Varsity Band, as well as decades of design and arranging work with Drum Corps International ensembles. A member of the DCI Hall of Fame, Henderson has contributed to multiple DCI World Championship titles through roles ranging from brass arranger to visual coordinator, earning recognition as a leader whoseĀ influence extends worldwide asĀ an arranger, consultant, clinician and mentor to future educators. Henderson is joined for the on-field presentation by Zeke Fairbank and Judith Smith, members of the Sudler family.
Current Famous Maroon Band members celebrate the Sudler Trophy with a dinner in the Union Ballroom Sunday [Sept. 27] at 6 p.m. The event features , an international magician, mentalist and speaker based in Memphis and Atlanta. Turner is an Ļć½¶Ö±²„physics/chemistry education graduate and Famous Maroon Band alumnus who serves on scholarship review committees for the university. With appearances on āGood Morning Americaā and āNightline,ā he has entertained corporate leaders, sports figures, elected officials and other celebrities.
Presented annually from 1982-2007, the Sudler Trophy has been given biennially since 2007 through a grant from Louis and Virginia Sudler. MSUās Famous Maroon Band is the 35th collegiate marching band to receive the award and the only one in the state.
, home of the Department of Music and Famous Maroon Band, also includes four additional academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units.
Ļć½¶Ö±²„ is taking care of what matters.