Famous Maroon Band Profile: Morgan Green

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 Morgan Green. Morgan will be a senior at Mississippi State for the 2016-17 academic year, and she plays clarinet for the Famous Maroon Band.

Are there any other instruments or musical talents you possess?

"I am proud to serve as one of the clarinet squad leaders, and I have been a part of the Mississippi State Wind Ensemble since my freshmen year. I love making music year round with the other wonderful musicians in the group, and I love all of the memories made throughout our trips around the state and even abroad."

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?

"Three of my older cousins were in the band, and my mom was in the colorguard and was later the drum major of her high school band. Band was cool to me, and when I got ready to start sixth grade, I was excited to find out what instrument I would get to play. My middle school band director selected the clarinet for me, which also happens to be the same instrument as my two older cousins that I admire. I started my musical career in the fall of 2006, and the rest is history! My younger sister and brother are also in the band. Band has been a big part of my family for many years."

What musicians have had the biggest influence on you?

"I love a good jazz clarinetist. Benny Goodman and Pete Fountain are my boys. I have some of their songs on vinyl, and I could listen to them for hours. They’re so entertaining and so talented. Their fingers can fly. It’s inspiring. They make me want to be better.I also have been influenced by the people around me. It began with my two older cousins who also play the clarinet Katie and Lauren. They made me excited to play the clarinet, and that is a huge part of making music. One of my best friends from home, Grace, plays the clarinet very well, and all throughout high school her dedication to music and the clarinet inspired me to be a better player. When I got to Mississippi State as a freshman, I met a junior named Kelcey, another clarinet player. She quickly became a mentor to me. She has been so encouraging and helpful, and she’s always willing to answer any musical question I have. She has graduated and moved on to the adult world, but whenever anything good happens in my musical world, I always send her a, “guess what happened!” text.My high school band directors, Mr. Morse and Ms. Hallmark, pushed me to grow as both a musician and a person. The directors at Mississippi State are equally as great. They want to see me succeed, and they’re willing to help me along the way. I’ve become a better musician during my time here at Mississippi State, and I’ve realized just how much I love the clarinet and that I never want to stop playing."

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

"How do I even begin to choose? The Famous Maroon Band has been such a large part of my time at MSU. From my first day on campus I had new friends. My favorite memories will always be those spent with the wonderful friends made through the FMB burning up in the August heat at band camp, marching through the Junction at every home game, playing in an openair courtyard in Bevagna, Italy, starting charter bus twitter accounts, marching down Main Street USA in Magic Kingdom on New Year’s Day, never letting Dr. Aarhus forget his poncho picture’s existence, dressing up as a cowbell for the band’s Halloween rehearsal, getting stranded in Columbia, Missouri after plane troubles those moments and so many more all make up my favorite part of being a part of the FMB, and they’re memories that will last a lifetime."

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

"I can’t begin to pick a favorite, but here’s a good one. It was the end of the third quarter of a football game in 2014, and Don’t Stop Believing started playing over the speakers. One by one people started turning on their phone flashlights, and suddenly the entire stadium was full of lights all moving to the beat of the music. It was breathtaking. If you’ve been to a home football game since then, you know that it’s now a tradition. We always get Don’t Stop Believing in between the third and fourth quarters. No matter what may be happening in the football game, MSU fans and sometimes even the away fans come together for a sight that every person should see. You can’t help but feel like you’re a part of something bigger than yourself community. I get that feeling so many times at MSU. I didn’t grow up a MSU fan, but it’s that feeling that has made a MSU shaped place in my heart. To be a part of a chorus of over 50,000 cowbells and phone flashlights that’s some great community. Hail State, Go Dawgs."

If you would like to keep up with Morgan through social media, there are a number of ways you can follow her. Her Twitter handle is @mogreengogreen. Her Instagram handle is also @mogreengogreen. Morgan also runs a blog on blogspot called Eye of the Green Beholder.

Thanks to Morgan 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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