One Chance To Make a First Impression: Starting The New School Year The Right Way

After Hours: Conversations for Music Educators

In this episode, Nick Averwater talks with Elva Kaye Lance, The Director of Bands at Mississippi State University in Starkville. This is Ms. Lance's 30th year at Mississippi State, and her 19th year as Director of Bands. Under her leadership, the bands have expanded to include four concert bands, a jazz band, two basketball pep bands, and a marching band. In this episode Elva Kaye talks about her early years as a band director, the educators and family members who influenced and encouraged her, and the importance of starting the new school year on the right foot. Our conversation is broken up in to two episodes, and this is part one.