18 years and counting! In March, the Starkville High School Wind Ensemble earned all Superior ratings at the 2026 MHSAA state evaluation for the 18th year in a row. The group earned superior in both concert performance and sight reading evaluation.
In addition to all Superiors, the Wind Ensemble also received the coveted Sweepstakes award, which is given to groups who earn a Superior rating from every individual judge in concert and sight reading, as well as in marching performance during the fall state evaluation.
Shawn Sullivan, SOCSD Director of Bands, praised the band's hard work and exceptional performance at the annual evaluation.
"The Wind Ensemble's 2026 performance was absolutely outstanding – probably one of the top concerts in my 29 years as a director. We are very proud of all the work our students put in, and I'm honored to be part of an 18-year tradition of receiving superior honors."
SOCSD offers concert band instruction and performance beginning in 6th grade, and each year, middle school and high school students earn placement in various collegiate and statewide honor bands through a schedule of rigorous auditions. In addition, students have the opportunity to perform with the marching band, color guard, jazz band and Starkville Indoor Percussion, a competitive drum corp.
Through this variety of performance opportunities, band students also have the chance to interact with notable composers and rehearse and perform a plethora of challenging compositions. The SHS Wind Ensemble has provided the world premiere of several symphonic pieces over the last several years, including compositions written by Mississippi composers. In 2025, the Wind Ensemble was invited to perform as the featured secondary band at the statewide Mississippi Bandmasters annual conference for the second time in five years.