[1][2] Originally a 20-piece brass ensemble (with an instrumentation of 1 Clarinet, 1 Alto Saxophone, 7 Cornets (including Fugitt), 2 Mellophones, 1 Tenor Horn, 3 Trombones, 1 Baritone Horn, 1 Sousaphone, 2 Snare Drums, and 1 Bass Drum in 1923), the current band numbers about 300.
In 1977, when Jimmy Carter was sworn in as 39th President of the United States in Washington, D.C., members of the Southern Miss Pride of Mississippi Marching Band were invited by him to be present; twenty-five members from each college band in Mississippi were selected by their college directors to make up an All-Star Band to represent Mississippi in the inaugural parade in Washington.
The band rehearsed in Jackson, Mississippi prior to flying to Washington on the "Peanut Special" (plane that brought the Carter Family to Washington, where they participated in the event).
In March 2015, The Pride of Mississippi traveled to Ireland to compete in the Limerick International Band Championships and in the Dublin St Patrick's Day Parade/Festival.
In the Dublin parade, The Pride won the "Best Adult Marching Band" title.