Famous Maroon Band Profile: Christana Landress

Periodically throughout the summer, we will be taking a look at individual members of the Famous Maroon Band which make the game day environment so great.

One of the great things about college football game day at any school is the atmosphere. And one of the most important parts, and often under appreciated, is the band.

I was in the band in high school and spent two years paying for my education in the band at Northwest Community College before finishing up at Mississippi State. So I decided to put the spotlight on the Famous Maroon Band this summer.

Today’s spotlight is on Christina Landress. She will be a junior at Mississippi State for the 2016-17 school year.

What instrument do you play or what role do you fulfill for the Famous Maroon Band?

"I am on the MSU colorguard, and I am currently one of the five colorguard captains for the 2016-2017 year. I also play clarinet in the spring concert season."

Are there any other instruments or musical talents you possess?

"I used to be able to play piano, and I want to learn how to play guitar."

In all likelihood, you joined the band in middle school or junior high. What made you want to be in the band at that time?

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"I joined band in sixth grade. I have always been the person who wanted to stay busy. My mother was an administrator at a high school near my house, and she always helped with the high school’s band. I thought playing an instrument was awesome; after I saw the high school’s marching band perform for the first time on a football field, I knew I wanted to be a part of something great. I grabbed a clarinet and started playing it. When it comes to color guard, there was an opportunity in seventh grade to join a cadet winterguard which was a part of a high school group. I joined and fell in love with the sport. I have been playing clarinet and spinning flags, rifles, and sabres ever since."

What musicians have had the biggest influence on you?

"It has not really been particular musicians more than it has been the organization of Drum Corps International (DCI). When I was little, my grandfather bought DCI Atlanta tickets for him and I. He was the head manager for the DCA (Drum Corp Association) group The Corpvets. After my first DCI Atlanta, I fell in love with the activity. When I became a sophomore in high school, I decided to join a world class winter guard at Winter Guard International (WGI). We were ranked number thirteen in the world after my first year. I would not have accomplished everything I have if it wasn’t for that first DCI experience and my grandfather."

What is your favorite memory of being a member of the Famous Maroon Band?

"Oh my goodness there are so many memories with the Famous Maroon Band! One of my favorite memories have to be when we became number one in the nation for five weeks straight. Sure bowl games are amazing, and our band directors and secretary does an absolutely amazing job planning our bowl games, but you cannot take away that feeling of being number one in the nation. I was a freshman during the time, and after beating Auburn in 2014 and knowing that Mississippi State was number one in the nation, that feeling will never die. I can always say “I remember when I performed with my best friends and the best band when Mississippi State became number one in the nation!”One other memory I will never forget was band camp 2015. This was my first year as color guard captain, and being a part of the FMB Social Committee. We had challenges every day to take pictures with people you have something in common. One day, a guy came up to me because we shared the same birthday month. He called me “Hyper and Energetic (at 7am) Color Guard Chick”"

What is your favorite non-band related memory at Mississippi State?

Christana Landress gets ready for a performance for the Famous Maroon Band. /

"This is also tough. One of my favorite non-band related memories at Mississippi State would probably be my freshman year when I was a part of the Day One Community. My group went to East Oktibbeha Elementary School, and I had the opportunity of tutoring 6th graders. Watching these students progress throughout the semester and watching their grades improve is priceless. I remember seeing all of them happy and smiling whenever I came in to help. One day, I will never forget this, I received a card from one of my students, and it said “thank you for helping me.” It had a heart on it, and they signed the card. I still have it hanging up in my room to remember my wonderful experience with Day One and those students."

Are there any social media accounts you would like to share where people can follow you and keep up with all you do at Mississippi State and for the Famous Maroon Band?

"I am a broadcast meteorology major at Mississippi State University, and I have my own weather page. You can follow me on Facebook at “Meteorologist Christana Landress” for all of your up-to- date weather. If I am not covering your area during that time, feel free to message me, and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible. I will post some Famous Maroon Band stuff on my meteorology page as well. You can also follow me on Instagram @clandress13."

Thanks to Christana for allowing us to feature her in this Famous Maroon Band Profile. Also thanks to Dr. Craig Aarhus, one of the Associate Directors of the Famous Maroon Band for working with us to be able to spotlight the members of the band.

You can follow the Famous Maroon Band on Twitter with their Twitter handle @maroonband. The band also has a Facebook page you can go and like to keep up with all the happenings of the Famous Maroon Band.

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