Mississippi State University’s Famous Maroon Band’s Wind Ensemble is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Lee Hall’s Bettersworth Auditorium.
Free seats are available to watch 64 of the most prestigious musicians on campus perform musical works, including some new literature, orchestral transcription, standard band literature and standard wind band literature. 
Elva Kaye Lance, MSU’s band director from Waynesboro, Mississippi, said the Wind Ensemble’s average concert attendance is around 700 guests and is expected to be a full house.
MSU choir member Cherelle Moman,  junior Political Science major from Jackson, Mississippi, said this is her first classical music concert.
“I love music, and I’m looking forward to being exposed to all the different types of classical instruments,” Moman said.
This concert focuses on giving thanks to those who teach music, band directors and anyone who influences young minds to aspire to music. 
Those who attend will experience the conducting styles of Dr. Gary Garner, who spent 39 years as a band director at West Texas A&M University. 
Garner has written and developed many instrumental techniques in different areas of wind. Garner has won countless awards and honors from the Texas Band Master Association and the National Association of Wind Band, and he is a well sought after wind band expert. 
Lance is excited to experience Garner’s teaching styles.
“He is arguably one of the leading figures in the state of Texas’ band movement in the late 20th and 21st century, I think,” Lance said. “We wanted him here so our music education majors could have the opportunity to work with someone who has such a diverse pallet of interest and skills and so forth as him.” 
The Famous Maroon Band started a program called Legends and Mentors. This program  allows well respected experts such as Garner to come and teach or demonstrate their skills and share their knowledge with the band. In addition to guests Garner and Lance, Associate Band Director Craig Aarnust will also join in conducting the concert.  
Jennifer Flinn, senior communication major and  active member of the Wind Ensemble from Arlington, Tennessee, said she is interested how Garner will conduct the music.
“I play the flute. I’m excited to see how the guest conductor works with students and how he interprets the piece he will conduct,” Flinn said. “It’s going to be a great concert with wonderful music.”