Six-time NBA champion Michael Jordan famously said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” While the former Chicago Bull said that over 40 years ago, it’s a motto that’s still used today not only in sports but also across other avenues of life – including inside the band offices at Southwest Mississippi Community College.
Joe Raymond, the band director at the community college in Summit, said that’s the quote that popped into his head when he saw an Instagram post from the White House’s official account looking for holiday entertainers. The post was sent to Raymond by SMCC stage band director Lorin Lewis, who he immediately responded to and told her they should apply.
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” he said, repeating Jordan’s famous quote. “The White House posted on Instagram that they were looking for entertainers for the Christmas season, and when Lorin saw that post and sent me a message, I told her we need to push that button and submit.”
So, Raymond and Lewis compiled four videos of SMCC’s stage band – a 22-member subsection of the school’s larger Big Bear Band – and filled out the application. Going against thousands of other applicants, the two weren’t necessarily confident they would get chosen, but they were confident enough in their students’ talents to believe they deserved to be chosen.
Lo and behold, staff members inside the White House narrowed down the field and sent an email to the winners.
“When we got the email that said we were invited, we were just shocked but of course thrilled,” Lewis said, smiling ear to ear. “Southwest Mississippi Community College. Down here in Summit, Mississippi. They chose us. It’s just so cool.”
Raymond and Lewis gladly responded, accepted, and got the SMCC stage band booked to perform inside the East Room from 1-3 p.m. on Dec. 17. Just shy of a week before Christmas, the band will play holiday tunes for cabinet members, visitors, and others to enjoy. According to the duo, SMCC will be the only collegiate band to perform as part of the holiday series at the White House this year.
“It’s unique and it’s exciting to our students at Southwest but also for the state,” Raymond said of the opportunity and the chance it brings to highlight Mississippi outside of the state lines. “We have a group that will get to sit in the East Room of the White House and perform, make music, and spread that sound of Southwest that we love here.”
While SMCC’s stage band will be performing at the White House no matter what, Raymond and Lewis are asking for the public’s help in making the trip more affordable. Going live in the nation’s capital wasn’t something they budgeted for months ago, so they’re looking to raise at least $27,000 between now and then. All donations will go to travel and lodging, costumes, lighting, and whatever else is needed to perfect the show.
Donations of any size can be made here. Donors can also choose to “sponsor” a student’s trip for $500.
“We need help from you,” Lewis said. “And these kids deserve it. They’re working so hard to get ready for it. They’re wonderful performers, and they deserve your help. We would appreciate anything you could give.”
Most Mississippians of course won’t get to catch SMCC’s stage band in Washington, but there are other opportunities to both celebrate Christmas and get a glimpse of what their D.C. performance will look like. Across Dec. 6 and Dec. 7, five shows will be held inside the Aylene Adene Hurst Auditorium on campus in Summit. Admission is free with the auditorium seating up to 1,000 people.
“Come join us,” Lewis said. “We’re going to let you see some of the things that we are going to be performing in the White House and the costumes and all of it as it’s going to be.”