Mid-South Honor Band
The Mid-South Honor Band clinic is sponsored by the Ole Miss Bands and the Department of Music.
The 46th Annual Mid-South Honor Band
The Department of Music is thrilled to announce the 46th annual Mid-South Honor Band, to be held February 20–22, 2025.
Mid-South Honor Band Information
The 46th Annual Mid-South Honor Band Clinic will be held February 20-22, 2025 on the campus of the University of Mississippi in Oxford. The Mid-South Honor Band clinic is sponsored by the Ole Miss Bands and the UM Department of Music. The clinic will consist of two honor bands (Symphonic and Concert Band) directed by Dr. Mark Walker, Director of Bands at Troy University, and DeeDee Pitts, Assistant Director of Bands at Gulfport High School.
PLEASE USE THIS FORM TO SUBMIT NOMINATIONS FOR THE 2025 MID-SOUTH HONOR BAND
Deadline to nominate students will be December 20, 2025
Mid-South Honor Band Nomination Form
2025 MID-SOUTH HONOR BAND SCHEDULE (Subject to change)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17
- Audition videos due from all participating students
- Registration and fees due from all participating students
- School checks mailed in to UM Bands Office
- Online payment through provided link
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
- 5:00pm Clinic band lists posted
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20
- 1:00pm UM Band Scholarship audition times available throughout the day (optional for high school seniors)
- 4:00 UM Wind Ensemble Rehearsal in Ford Center (open to anyone)
- 7:00 All MSHB participants report for to the Ford Center for informational session and performances by the Mississippians (Ole Miss Jazz) and the University of Mississippi Symphonic Band
- 7:45 Rehearsals begin
- Concert Band in the UM Band Hall
- Symphonic Band in the Ford Center
- 10:00 Rehearsals end
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21
- 9:00am Rehearsals begin
- 11:30 Lunch Break
- 12:00pm Open Rehearsal of UM Jazz Ensemble in Nutt Auditorium
- 1:00 Informative session for all students interested in majoring in music (Ford Center)
- live discussion with UM directors and studio professors
- 2:00-5:00 MSHB Rehearsals
- 2:00-2:50 Directors Clinic presented by Randy Dale and Mel Morse (Nutt Auditorium)
- 3:00-3:50 Directors Clinic presented by Tim Oliver (Nutt Auditorium)
- 7:30 UM Wind Ensemble Concert in Ford Center (free admission for MSHB participants and directors)
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 22
- 8:00am Rehearsals begin (bands swap rehearsal locations)
- 9:30 Break – change into concert attire (high school band uniform or black concert attire)
- 10:30 All MSHB participants seated in Ford Center
- Concert Band on stage
- Symphonic Band on the front rows of the auditorium
- 11:00 Grand Concert in the Ford Center (free admission)
Video Auditions for chair placement submissions will be accepted beginning on January 21, 2025. All video submissions should be submitted no later than 5:00 PM Monday, February 17. Students are to perform music of their own choice (either solo or etude with contrasting styles, one to two minutes in length) that demonstrates a maximum level of ability and versatility. Clinic band results will be posted on Wednesday, February 19. Rehearsals will begin on Thursday, February 20.
Video Link available January 21
Registration will be available online beginning January 21, 2025. The registration fee of $60 per student will be due by February 17, 2025. Registration and Fees will need to be submitted through the UM Marketplace website no later than February 17, 2025. IF FOR ANY REASON THE REGISTRATION FEE IS NOT RECEIVED BY THE DEADLINE, MEMBERSHIP IN THE MID-SOUTH HONOR BAND CLINIC MAY BE CANCELLED. PLEASE NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY IF YOU HAVE ANY CANCELLATIONS.
Registration/Fee Payment Link available January 21, 2025
- Holiday Inn Express - 662-236-2500
- Hampton Inn - Oxford West - 662-232-2442
- Courtyard Oxford - 662-638-6014
- Super 8 Motel - 662-234-7013
- La Quinta Inn - 662-638-8060
- Hampton Inn Conference Center - 662-234-5565
- Tru by Hilton - 662-380-5888
- Townplace Suites - 662-238-3522
Parking is limited around the Band Hall so please DO NOT park in the main lot by the Band Hall. We are requesting that all band directors/chaperones park in either the lower parking lot behind the Music Building or in the Ford Center Parking lot. All school owned buses or vans (that will not fit in a regular parking spot) will have to park at the west end of the Jackson Avenue Center. Shuttles are available every 15 minutes to and from the campus. Absolutely no buses are allowed to park at the Ford Center during normal operating hours (8 AM to 5 PM). Parking permits for non-school marked vehicles will be available upon request in the Band Office.
2025 Mid-South Honor Band Clinicians
Dr. Mark Wilder
Dr. Mark J. Walker serves as Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Troy University where he conducts the Troy University Symphony Band, the nationally renowned “Sound of the South” Marching Band, teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting, marching band techniques, measurement and evaluation, and wind literature.
In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Walker serves as Chairman of the Southeastern United States Clinic and Honor Bands, Executive Director of the Middle School Southeastern United States Band Clinic and Honor Bands, and is the Director of the “Sound of the South” Summer Music Camp and Director’s Clinic. He also serves as Co-Chair of the National Band Association’s Hall of Fame of Distinguished Band Directors. Dr. Walker is a published author, whose articles appears various music education publications and is the editor of the book The Art of Interpretation of Band Music published by GIA. He is a contributor to The Euphonium Source Book, published by Indiana University Press. Additionally, Dr. Walker is the Associate Editor of the Journal of Band Research.
DeeDee Pitts
Ms. Pitts serves as the Assistant Director of Bands for Gulfport High School. Ms. Pitts received her Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Delta State University and her Masters of Music in Conducting Degree from the American Band College through Southern Oregon University. She is also a National Board Certified teacher.
Ms. Pitts is a member of the Mississippi Bandmasters Association, American School Band Director's Association, Gulf Coast Band Director's Association where she serves as President, and Phi Beta Mu. Ms. Pitts has served as a guest clinician throughout the state of Mississippi and surrounding areas, and has consistently produced Superior bands throughout her career. She has an active private studio and is the lead Trombonist for the Coast Big Band.