By Caleb Youngblood, Public Relations Coordinator
March 17, 2025
Jimin Kim, a junior from The Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science (MSMS), has earned a coveted spot in the Mississippi Lions Band, an honor reserved for the most talented young musicians in the state. Kim (Class of 2026) was selected as a member of the 2025 Lions Band, securing the third chair for flute.
“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.”
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.
Kim, who has been playing the flute since 7th grade, credits much of her success to early experiences sparking a love for music. “In 8th grade, my band director, Mr. Jefferson, encouraged me to audition for the All-State Middle School Band,” Kim explained. “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.”
Kim has had the opportunity to further hone her skills at MSMS. “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.”
However, despite the honor of being selected for the Lions Band, Kim made the difficult decision not to participate this year. “Since I’ve decided not to participate in the 2025 Lions Band this year, I don’t have any upcoming performances or trips with them to look forward to right now,” Kim said. “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!”
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.”
Kim’s advice to 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. Keep practicing whenever you can, and don’t be afraid to audition or take on new challenges that push you to get better.”
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