MSU’s Lance named Mississippi Outstanding Band Director of the Year
Contact: Bethany Shipp
STARKVILLE, Miss.—Elva Kaye Lance, Mississippi State’s director of bands, is the Magnolia State’s Outstanding Band Director of the Year for the second time in her career.
The award is given by the Mississippi chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Honorary Bandmasters Fraternity to recognize outstanding work in the profession. It was established in 1938 by longtime Texas music educator Earl D. Irons. Lance also received the award in 2015 as well as the organization’s Mississippi Outstanding Contributor to Bands award in 2017.
“It is humbling to have your work recognized and supported by your colleagues,” Lance said. “All of us who are fortunate enough to spend our career working with students recognize that awards of this nature really are awards that honor the work of our students. Without their talent, cooperation and commitment, we just have ideas. They bring our ideas to life. It is my pleasure to serve our university and to work with the outstanding students and directors we have in our band program at Mississippi State University.”
A veteran music educator with more than 30 years of university service, Lance has led MSU’s band program through the completion of a multimillion-dollar rehearsal facility, construction of a new synthetic turf practice field and student enrollment growth. This year’s Famous Maroon Band boasts more than 400 members representing nearly 200 high schools from 15 states.
Lance maintains an active schedule as a clinician and adjudicator for concert and marching band events throughout the country and serves as vice president of the National Band Association. She has served for both the NBA and the College Band Directors National Association as state chair and is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.
“Elva Kaye is a consummate professional and a leader within our profession, not just in Mississippi but nationally,” said Daniel Stevens, professor and head of the Department of Music. “This is a very well-deserved honor.”
MSU’s Department of Music is housed in the College of Education, which is home to five academic departments, a division of education, one research unit, and numerous service units. Learn more at https://www.educ.msstate.edu/.
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