SHS Sophomore, Joseph Thompson, earns place in 2026 Mississippi Lions Band
Starkville High School 10th grader, Joseph Thompson, will participate in the 2026 Mississippi Lions Band as well as the state's All State Jazz Band. The sophomore saxophone player earned a spot in both honor ensembles last fall through a rigorous multi-tiered audition process and will perform with the groups this spring.
"Joseph is an outstanding young man and a great musician," said Shawn Sullivan, Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Director of Bands. "I am very excited that he will be able to participate with the MS Lions Band as they travel abroad this summer."
The Mississippi Lions All-State Band is the premiere honor band in the state. The top 100 students from across Mississippi each year are selected for the band through an audition process. Members of the band are invited to participate in a week-long camp and culminating concert performance in-state each year in addition to summer travels to perform in various parades and events. The band will travel to Hawaii and China this summer.
Joseph is a member of the SHS Wind Ensemble and has also earned placement in the Northeast Mississippi Band Directors Association Honor Band. He was honored as part of the Middle School All State Band as a 7th grader and 8th grader. In addition to his award-winning participation in the Yellow Jacket Band program, Joseph is pursuing advanced academic opportunities at SHS and is a member of the National History Day program and Jacket Cross Country.
"We are very proud of Joseph for earning these outstanding honors and look forward to hearing about his experiences this summer," SOCSD Superintendent Dr. Tony McGee said. "Statewide recognitions like this are a testament to the strength of the program our band staff has created, and we love to see students pursuing such diverse interests and excelling."
