Video: Famous Maroon Band Preps for Up Coming Season

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MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY, Miss. (WCBI) – College football is quickly approaching, but MSU’s football team isn’t the only one hitting the field for two-a-day practices.

The famous Maroon Band is preparing to hit the right tune this season.
Just like any team on MSU’s campus, they also have camps and two-a-days to help them condition for the season.
“The people only get to see what happens on Saturday or at the pep rallies, but it takes a lot of hard work and a lot of effort,” Band member Cooper Haywood said.

One may easily get the perception that it’s just all fun and games being a part of the Famous Maroon Band, but what you might not know is the discipline that it takes to be apart of such a prestigious band.

A normal day for band camp starts at 8 thirty a.m.  and they work outside until 11. After a lunch break, another practice begins at 1:30 and continues until four.

The music makers grab dinner and go back to the field from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m.

“It takes a lot of discipline, it’s more than just walking around on the field,” Band Member Brittany Carey said.

“A lot of the discipline is self discipline,” Associate Director of Bands Craig Aarhus said.

Band members use that strict preparation to stay focused, while marching and performing in sweltering summer heat.

“It is something else, its really is hot. Yesterday was the worst but today we had a cold front come through so it feels a lot better today,” Carey said.

“We try to take breaks frequently of course. The health and safety of our kids is a real priority for us,” Aarhus said.

The camp can be tough, but members fight through the heat and long hours to be ready for game day.

“Our football team works hard, but we work hard as well to support them,” Haywood said.

This practice time helps make sure everyone is prepared to play during football season.

However, the toughness and time management they learn striking up a tune could help these students when they leave college.

“There are so many opportunities to serve and to lead in this band, and all of these just correlate to helping become a better person,” Carey said.

“They can be successful learning some of those skills as I said, team work, and dedication,” Aarhus said.

The Famous Maroon Band will make its first appearance as a full band on September 12th for the home season opener against LSU.