Contact: Kenneth Billings
Photo by: Kristen Baker
STARKVILLE, Miss.--A new drum major quartet leads the way next Saturday [Aug. 30] when the Famous Maroon Band helps the Mississippi State Bulldogs usher in the 2008 football season.
Selected at the end of the university's spring semester, they include Michael Battalio and Katie M. Jenkins, both of Vicksburg; Kristen E. Hampton of Clinton, and Andrew J. "Jace" McMullin of Griffith, Ind.
Battalio is the head drum major. All are seniors but McMullin, who is a junior.
"The drum majors are the highest student leaders in our organization," said director of bands Elva Kay Lance. "These four are among the best our band has to offer and will provide solid leadership this year for the Famous Maroon Band."
The FMB is among the oldest of its kind in the South and, with more than 300 members, the largest collegiate marching unit in Mississippi. While its membership represents a dozen states, 80 percent call Mississippi home. Also, more than 80 percent graduated in the top 25 percent of their high school classes.
In addition to leading the group during pre-game and halftime performances at football games, drum majors assist the faculty directors with music and drill instruction, among other responsibilities.
Battalio, a broadcast meteorology major, is the son of Joseph and Donna Battalio; Hampton, a communication major, is the daughter of William and Cynthia Hampton; Jenkins, a biochemistry/pre-medicine major, the daughter of Jeffrey and Marlene Jenkins; and McMullin, an instrumental music major, the son of William and Andrea McMullin.
The band travels to Ruston, La., Aug. 30 when MSU plays Louisiana Tech University in the season-opener for both football teams.
For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.