Ellisville, MS – From a galaxy far, far away to the boxing ring, the iconic Jones College Typhoon is bringing the magic of the movies to the football field this fall. The marching band’s 2026 field show, “Typhoon Theaters: A Journey Through the Decades,” celebrates unforgettable movie music from the 1980s through the 2010s while showcasing the talent, energy and dedication of Jones students.

The production opens with the iconic 20th Century Fox Fanfare before launching into a decade-by-decade soundtrack journey. The 1980s portion features “The Imperial March,” “Gonna Fly Now,” also known as the theme from “Rocky,” and “Eye of the Tiger.” The 1990s bring animated favorites “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” and “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” while the 2000s feature “All Star,” “I’m a Believer” and the theme from “Pirates of the Caribbean.” The show closes in the 2010s with “The Greatest Show” and “Test Drive” from “How to Train Your Dragon.”

Written by C.J. Kemp and Dr. Jared Potter, the show began with the voices of the students themselves. At the end of last season, Potter invited band members to share the music they hoped to perform and used their responses as inspiration while designing the program.

“This is my first year as the lead director of the Typhoon, and the growth that these students have shown throughout the year has truly inspired me,” Potter said. “When I designed this year’s show, I took their requests to heart. That process led to ‘Typhoon Theaters: A Journey Through the Decades,’ a program that explores some of the most popular movie soundtracks from the 1980s to today.”

The familiar selections give audiences of all ages a reason to listen closely – and perhaps sing along in the stands – but bringing that wide range of music to life requires discipline. Behind every bold entrance, crisp formation and exciting musical moment are hours of rehearsal and a shared commitment to becoming stronger musicians and performers.

“My favorite aspect of this show is that, because we are covering such a wide variety of music, we have an opportunity to connect with audience members from multiple generations,” Potter said. “There is something familiar for everyone!”

Assistant Director of Bands and Instructor of Brass Kyle Matthees said the students began the season with both determination and excitement. “The 2026 Typhoon Band is off to a great start,” Matthees said. “The students have worked hard and are excited to present a show featuring cinematic hits throughout the decades. I’m especially proud of the brass section this year. These brass players bring the heat in every performance and are ready to thrill.”

The students’ work is supported by a directing team invested in their growth and in the continued success of the Typhoon tradition. Potter credited Matthees and longtime music educator Tamiko Bridges with helping the ensemble build something special. Bridges summed up the spirit of the season – and what audiences can expect from the show – in two words: “Legendary and epic!”

For the students, the finished performance is more than a collection of familiar songs. It is the result of long rehearsals, individual preparation, teamwork and the willingness to keep improving together. Each member contributes to the sound and spectacle audiences see under the Friday-night lights, and each performance gives the band another opportunity to represent Jones College with pride.

“This is one of the hardest-working groups of students I have had the pleasure of working with,” Potter said. “Their dedication, combined with the support from Dr. Matthees and Mrs. Bridges, is helping us create something truly special. The Typhoon this year is something that you will not want to miss!”

Catch this year’s show during halftime at our Hall of Fame game on Thursday, September 10th, 2026, at Sim Cooley Field. Kickoff is at 7 PM, and tickets can be purchased by visiting the following link: https://jcbobcats.com/sports/2021/6/25/ticket-site.aspx

2026 Typhoon Marching Band Members by County

Please note that student names are listed alphabetically, not in the order in which they were photographed.

Clarke

Cedric Parks

Covington

Alize Easterling, Tayla Keys, London Lisewski, Braxton Magee, Tanesha Magee, Anarria Mangrum, Erin Mccullum, De’Angelo McLaurin

Forrest

Brennan Brown, Cooper Byrd, Mallory Forrester, Samuel Hall, Lillie Grace Hartfield, Jerry Johnson, Lillian Johnson, Kylan Martin, Sawyer Robinson, Sara Thompson, Landen Upton

Hinds

SaiJay Carson

Jackson

Elizabeth Napier

Jasper

Mariah Agee, Tochienna Jones, Khelsey Wheaton

Jefferson Parish, LA

Ayanna Streho

Jones

Sethaniel Barlow, Lakin Barnett, Tylan Bell, Iyona Bramlett, Joshua Bridges, Cadence Cash, Vania Castillo Sanchez, Chris Coleman, Neela Cooley, Juan Carlos Cruz Adan, Jaelin Davis, Joseph Davis, Christian Dobbs, Kayden Dozier, Joseph Ducksworth, Faith Keith, Braxton Ladner, Kierstynn Lowery, Mckenzie Mackmer, Marlie Matthew, Matthew McDonald, A.J. McLeod, Karen Mendoza Alba, Autumn Mott, Nijelin Nichols, Genesis Nixon, Hope Parish, Ethan Patterson, Sidney Patterson, Tristan Patterson, Akheria Pearson, Kayleigh Reid, A’Kiyah Rivers, Allie Robinson, Kimberly Santos Elias, Kalyn Smith, Cohen Spears, Madison Stevens, Elizabeth Thomas, Makaylee Thomas, Talynn Thompson, Joseph Troutman, Harleigh Vinson, Jackson Walker, Jasper Walters, Keegan Washington, Jadon White, Layne Williams, Jody Yates

Lamar

Elizabeth Emmons, Tristyn Harvey, Jaden Haynes, Kelsey Johnson, Seth Mastin, Lillian Rainey, Emily Seals

Lawrence

Kira Alexander, Gracelyn Knight

Marion

Cayden Pope

Pearl River

Carleigh England, J’Ivani Javery

Perry County

Corbey Lashley, Maibyn Wallace

Rankin

Kailynn Atkins, Lucy Channell, Hailey Hollifield, Zaidee Robertson

Scott

Meghan Torrano

Simpson

David Abraham, Taelyn Carpenter, Logan Cockrell, Johnna Jones (not pictured), Sadee Wallace

Smith

Annabeth Ainsworth, Garrett Allen, Aidan Chisolm, Eszabella Colon-Melendez, Laney Ingram, Linsey Ingram, Ariana Layton, Moira Layton, Jena Lowery, Mallory Matthews, JT McDaniel, Audrey Wallace, Brady Warren

Walthall

La’Ambriya Magee, Kaylynn Pruitt

Wayne

Heidi Ainsworth, Richard Gonzalez, Katherine Mazariegos Lopez, Aaron Mealy, Victor Payton, Joshua Sumrall, Rivers Walley