MISSISSIPPI NORMAL COLLEGE
Above: Athletics has been a part of the institution since the beginning. In 1912, the football team played its first games, going 2-1 and winning the initial contest, 30-0, over the Hattiesburg Boy Scouts. One year later the baseball team took to the field for the first time, winning one game and losing three in the inaugural season. The 1922 team, pictured here, won 11 games while losing only seven times and tying once.
T ken & Now
Symphony Orchestra
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The University’s first orchestra was organized in 1913 to accompany performances of the choir. The 10-piece ensemble was short-lived, however, and the 1920 College Orchestra of Mississippi Normal College is recognized as the current Symphony Orchestra’s true predecessor. Under the direction of Margaret Gillard, the 1920 orchestra consisted of nine violinists, one bassist and single players of the cornet, horn and trombone. Today, the orchestra is truly an international organization that includes more than 90 musicians from the United States and 15 other countries. Over the years, the orchestra has performed with Ray Charles, Yo-Yo Ma, Placido Domingo and numerous others.