By Caleb Youngblood, Public Relations Coordinator
Edited March 25, 2025
Jimin Kim and Mirae Nishikawa, both juniors at The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS), are among the talented musicians selected for the 2025 Mississippi Lions Band, a prestigious honor reserved for the state’s most skilled young musicians. Kim, who secured the third chair for flute, and Nishikawa, who secured the sixteenth chair for clarinet, have both demonstrated incredible growth in their musical journeys, leading to their selection.
“Being selected for the 2025 Mississippi Lions Band feels amazing, especially since I didn’t expect it this time around,” Kim said. “This was my third time auditioning—I didn’t make it as a freshman, but I did last year as a sophomore (at Starkville High School) for the 2024 band.”
Nishikawa echoed similar emotions after hearing the results. “I was very excited to be selected as a Lions Band member,” she shared. “After my audition, I didn’t feel confident about getting in, but the results subverted my expectations! I was in shock when the results came out.”
The Mississippi Lions All-State Band is the premiere honor band in the state. Established in 1949 under the leadership of Roy Martin, The Mississippi Lions have been named international champion 38 times. More than 100 students from across Mississippi are selected each year for the band through an audition process. Each student prepares two pieces of music to perform in front of a panel of judges.
Both students attribute much of their success to early experiences that sparked their love for music. For Kim, it was an 8th-grade All-State Middle School Band audition that changed her perspective. “At first, I only tried it because my friends were doing it, but I ended up loving the experience and that’s where I first heard about the Lions Band,” she explained.
For Nishikawa, joining the middle school band had a similarly profound impact. “Joining the middle school band was the most inspiring moment for me as a young musician. Getting to play amazing pieces with my peers redefined how I viewed music,” she said.
At MSMS, both students have found a supportive community that has allowed them to grow even further. “When I was first accepted into MSMS, I worried there wouldn’t be many opportunities to keep up with the band,” Kim shared. “Joining the MSMS Chamber Ensemble really changed things for me. It kept me connected to music, pushed me to grow as a musician, and inspired me to keep auditioning for clinics and the Lions Band.”
Nishikawa also appreciates the wealth of musical opportunities at MSMS. “Something I love about MSMS is the number of great musicians I can interact with! My peers at MSMS have allowed me to explore so many genres of music I would not have been exposed to previously,” she said. “These days, my favorite thing to do is play jazz with some friends.”
Despite the honor of being selected for the Lions Band, both Kim and Nishikawa have made the decision not to participate this year. Kim explained, “Since I’ve decided not to participate in the 2025 Lions Band, I don’t have any upcoming performances or trips with them to look forward to right now. But last year’s Lions Concert Band was an amazing experience—I got to meet talented new friends and a famous conductor, Dr. Julia Baumanis. I loved how challenging and rewarding it all was.”
While she has chosen to pass on this year’s Lions Band opportunity, Kim is already setting her sights on the future. “I’m planning to audition again next year and I’m really excited about the chance to make it and take part in some incredible performances and experiences with the Lions Band then!”
Similarly, while Nishikawa won’t be attending the 2025 Lions Band convention, she is excited for future opportunities.
Looking ahead to life after MSMS, Kim is considering several options. “After MSMS, I’d like to join a band program in college, but if not, I’ll probably just keep playing flute as a hobby,” Kim said. “I’m thinking about going out of state for college, though if I stay in Mississippi, I know Mississippi State has a good band program and offers scholarships for band members.”
Their advice for fellow musicians? “My advice for students wanting to pursue music at a high level or join honor bands like the Mississippi Lions Band is to just try it,” Kim said. “Keep practicing whenever you can, and don’t be afraid to audition or take on new challenges that push you to get better.”
Nishikawa offered her own piece of wisdom: “Don’t be afraid to experiment! You don’t always have to take music so seriously; at the end of the day, music is meant to be enjoyed.”
Both Kim and Nishikawa’s experiences underscore the incredible talent and passion that MSMS cultivates in its students, and their futures in music are undoubtedly bright.
To learn more about the Mississippi Lions Band, please visit https://www.misslionsband.org
To see some of their performances on YouTube, please visit CA Video Productions